Politics V - Investiture Controversy as Example ...

Friday, Jan 29, 2010. Historical examples can be extremely interesting when we talk about current theological topics. What is the relation between faith and the state? When we look back, there have been many problems with the relation of the state and the church. As soon as a significant number of people became Christians in a country, their church organization also became an influential factor for the state. They became a factor of power.

The “Investiture Controversy” arose from the quarrel for influence and power around 1070 A.D. We cite the “wikipedia” contribution to the topic:

The Investiture Controversy or Investiture Contest was the most significant conflict between Church and state in medieval Europe. In the 11th and 12th centuries, a series of popes challenged the authority of European monarchies over control of appointments, or investitures, of church officials such as bishops and abbots. Although the principal conflict began in 1075 between Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor, a brief but significant struggle over investiture also occurred between Henry I of England and the papacy of Paschal II in the years 1103 to 1107, and the issue played a minor role in the struggles between church and state in France as well. The entire controversy was finally resolved by the Concordat of Worms in 1122.

The background of the controversy was the rising power of the church, which owned land and had a significant influence by buying and selling. We need to see that this type of interdependence cannot be completely avoided. It is not the catholic church alone, which would come into this situation. But even if you found a little church in a town, then it grows and at some point decades later, it is a big church with several thousand members. It will strongly influence the public affairs in that town. And it will be influenced by the political decisions. Conflicts between faith and state will come.

However, as church - or better: as people of faith - we need to set our priorities right. The goal of the church is not to evolve into political influence. Our goal is the Lord, his love, mercy, justice - his kingdom. It will influence our way to live, to do business and to react to challenges. But it is far beyond any worldly kingdom. In faith we talk about a new birth, a new creation, a new community in deep peace. We start it here, in the middle of a lot of struggle for resources, influence and power. But there is a different power coming into the world, which is the Holy Spirit, the spirit of Jesus.

I am looking forward to see politicians being influenced by the Gospel of Jesus, a message of peace and reconciliation. I am looking forward to his spirit influencing our business and our science. I have trust that his weakness is stronger than our strength. There is a lot to gain, a lot to do, and there is hope in him! [R.W.E.P., jesusnetwork.eu]

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