In autonomous societies, both rural and urban, which have been the norm in Europe for most of the past two thousand years, the duties of the Christian to love their neighbour has been obvious, given the communal and mutually dependent relations dominant in such societies.
But in an age of hierarchy and vertical power the State takes on the services that were once provided by people freely, one to another.
Many Christians work in the 'caring' professions, and it is a fact that their dedication to duty is much appreciated by everyone around them. But being a specialist who is paid to care, such as a nurse or a teacher, begs the question; who are they serving, Christ or Caesar? Whose agenda are they following?
Many Christians come to believe that there is somehow something virtuous about working in the 'public sector', despite its non Christian and authoritarian structure. They believe that working for a profit is somehow selfish and unchristian and uncharitable, that only by working for the State can they do good, that taxation and a powerful state is a good thing. They are glad to keep watch over the people, glad to serve Caesar.
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