Baptist Practice of Church-State Relations: A Historical and Theological Reflection of Religious Liberty and Church-State Separation

Baptist Practice of Church-State Relations: A Historical and Theological Reflection of Religious Liberty and Church-State Separation

Vincent CP LAU

Religious liberty and church-state separation have been regarded as two closely interwoven distinguishing features of Baptist faith. In fact, they always appear simultaneously in the related writings and seem to be interchangeable sometimes. What are the definitions and relationships of these two concepts? The The aim of this essay is to observe the historical role and theological meanings of Baptists' history of struggling for religious liberty and church-state separation. Firstly, the origins and definitions of religious liberty and church-state separation are scrutinised. Secondly, a Baptist theology of church-state relations is introduced. Finally, the issues of church-state relations and social participation of Hong Kong Baptist churches today are examined.