THEOLOGICAL GROUND FOR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE STATE: TARABA EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The church had been an old institution that sharpened the behavours of its members in society. The State has also been an old institution that sharpens the behavours of its members in society, the church is controlled by divine power while the State is controlled by human authority. The study critically examined “the theological ground for the relationship between the church and the state: Taraba experience” which has generated some debates among scholars over the years giving rise to different theological perspectives. The researcher employed a descriptive survey for data collection in the course of this work. The researcher has discovered that the church cannot adequately inuence the state without involving in state affairs. It is only when the church has stepped out of her “comfort zone” to begin to interact with the state that she can create a positive impact in society. Therefore, this paper suggested that the church must take her original mandate given by God which involves dominion over the earth seriously and she must caution the government to discharge her civil responsibilities with the consciousness that it is a divine appointment from God. Furthermore, the Church should intensify its efforts in the area of interacting with the state to inuence her positively.