Separation of church and state - early church style

On a recent Saturday we attended a seminar at a local church at which Dr. Paul Meier, a professor at Western Michigan University, presented "Christianity - the First 300 Years".  It was an interesting overview of the very early church.  It sparked some study on my own, and one of the very first things I read had this to say about the earliest Christians - those in the first and second centuries.  Talk about separation of church and state!
It comes from Philip Schaff's "History of the Christian Church" published in 1985 by Hendrickson Publishers.  I believe it is in volume 2.  OK, I know it's not a good attribution.  Sorry - I'll work on that.
They live in their own countries, but only as aliens. They have a share in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign land is their fatherland, and yet for them every fatherland is a foreign land. ... It is true that they are "in the flesh," but they do not live "according to the flesh." They busy themselves on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws, but in their own lives they go far beyond what the laws require. They love all [people], and by all [people] are persecuted. They are unknown, and still they are condemned; they are put to death, and yet they are brought to life. They are poor, and yet they make many rich; they are completely destitute, and yet they enjoy complete abundance. They are dishonored, and in their very dishonor are glorified; they are defamed, and are vindicated. They are reviled, and yet they bless; when they are affronted, they still pay due respect. ... Christians dwell in the world, but are not of the world.
How little we as Americans know of how to live as Christians.  How confused we are with the thought that we (as Americans) are God's chosen people, living in God's country.

I'm going to keep studying.  Feel free to join me!

 

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