Abstract
The article describes and reflects the extent to which the free-church path of separation between church and state secures its independence from state influence and at the same time creates scope for assuming political responsibility and influencing society. To this end, the origins and development as well as the probation and problems of the free church principle of the separation of church and state are examined. Against this background, a fundamental relationship of church, state and politics in terms of religious, plural and secular societies is reflected and developed. The separation of state and church does not mean that they ignore each other. The religious institutions, people and beliefs take part in shaping law, public policy and organizing civic engagement. Therefore the public and political responsibility of churches and theology is examined from a free-church point of view.