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Christian Citizenship  /  What is a Kingdom Christian?  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 6
Using the “legal alien” illustration (Sean from Ireland), Bercot argues Christians should obey laws and pay taxes but not participate in politics or government because they are “guests” and citizens of another kingdom; what reasons does he give for political noninvolvement, and what fears or losses (identity, influence, protection of values, etc.) make that teaching hard for you to accept?
Another way to ask: Why does Bercot say Christians should obey laws and pay taxes but not join politics or government as “guests” of another kingdom? What worries or losses make this hard for you (like identity, influence, or protecting values)?

Direct Answer Bercot’s reason for political noninvolvement is that Christians are “aliens” whose true citizenship is in God’s kingdom, so they obey earthly laws and pay taxes but don’t vote or hold office because “this isn’t [their] country.” The tension comes from what he describes as Caesar’s demand for allegiance—making political identity and influence feel necessary, even though kingdom citizens must keep ultimate loyalty for God.

Support from Transcript:

  • He says God’s kingdom lacks geographic territory, so citizens live under “two governments…the kingdom of God and…kingdoms of this world.”
  • Jesus’ principle: “Render…to Caesar…the things that are Caesar’s, and to God…the things that are God’s.”
  • Paul “reiterates…Romans 13,” saying Christians must “pay our taxes and obey the laws of the land.”
  • The legal-alien analogy: Sean must obey laws and pays taxes and receives “police protection…the courts.”
  • Yet as an alien, “he can’t vote…can’t run for public office…he’s just a guest.”
  • Application: “We live…only as aliens…we don’t get involved in the politics and governments of the countries that we live in.”
  • He warns that governments seek “absolute unqualified allegiance,” which competes with loyalty to God.
Discussion Follow-ups What feels most threatening about being a “guest” instead of a political stakeholder—loss of control, fear of bad laws, or the feeling of not “belonging”? How does Bercot’s model address those fears, if at all?

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