“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” That’s what Jesus said to the Pharisees and Herodians who tried to corner him about paying taxes to the emperor. In a way, the answer shapes Western politics even today with separation of “church” and state. Paul also speaks in Romans of loyalty to two authorities:

“Everyone is subject to the authorities; for there is no authority that is not of God; but the ones that exist are ordained by God. Therefore, whoever opposes authority opposes the order of God; and those who resist incur condemnation on themselves.”

Why is God literally excluded from politics in the Western world?

And why, on the other hand, does God often play a major role in politics in Israel?

Christianity as the state religion in periods of the “Revived Roman Empire” considered the rule of the emperor to be a partnership between two parallel systems. The Catholic Church, headed by the Pope, was responsible for religious and moral life, while the emperor was entrusted...

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