Talking Points with Pastor Lucas: Christian Civic Responsibility: Go First!
In a society that continues to propose and pass laws meant to implement immoral and unbiblical public policy, what is our responsibility as Christians? As it stands, the American political system is built on a two-party system. Presently both parties have become so ideologically and diametrically opposed to each other they no longer see one another as colleagues who work for the common good, but as enemies that must be defeated, lest the Republic fall. To the devil’s delight, the people and pastors of our congregations are often pulled into this kind of thinking.
Sadly, there is little remaining common ground to be found between the parties. Simplifying to the extreme, Democrats wish to be progressive—to progress past and beyond the virtues and constitutional structures that first established our republic. Republicans wish to be conservative—to conserve the virtues and constitutional structures that first established our republic. There are variations and shades of each, of course, but this is where the lines seem to be drawn.
Amid all the rancor, exactly how then do we navigate our civic duty as Christians? To start, although the platform of the Republican Party may have substantially more areas of overlap with the Christian view of morality, we dare not make the church or her pastors into mere cogs of a political party. Forming coalitions with like-minded people, and focusing on specific moral issues, and even calling out policies (like Minnesota’s new abortion law) as evil, is different than embracing a political identity and making it synonymous with the Christian faith.
To be sure, fighting against the latest versions of the progressive cultural agenda can seem like a bleak endeavor, but we must resist the temptation is to simply turn to a political party and tie the church to it as the only means of defense. Scripture is clear—Christ Jesus did not found his church to be a branch of a political party (Mark 12:17; John 18:36). Nor did he use those means to accomplish his will in the hearts and minds of people. He did, however, promise he would never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). And he does send us his Holy Spirit to lead us in truth (John 14:16).
Go first! The Lutheran Understanding in Civic Vocation
So then what are we to do? Lutheran theology has a rich understanding of vocation—, of a person’s station and place in life. The vocation of a Christian citizen, then, is one who carries out their civic duty and use of the legal system and its rights of redress with all vigor and might. This means engagement in things like voting, expressing concerns to elected representatives, engaging in peaceful demonstrations, volunteering to serve the community, giving input in community forums, offering expertise to shape public policy, or even running for elected office. But it means doing so as one with a biblical world view; and a deep, spiritual life of prayer; and meditation upon God’s word as our guiding principle.
To be sure, the Holy Christian Church is the one institution that through time and history has been strong enough to push back against oppressive governments while simultaneously caring for the souls being repressed. That means that the church must continue championing the divine and permanent design of marriage and sexuality, the preciousness of children, and the importance of motherhood and fatherhood. Likewise, we must go first in extending compassion and help for those in need (pregnant mothers, single parents, children, families, and community members,). We must go first in speaking kindly but boldly to those who do not have a biblical world view, demonstrating the reasonableness of our view for human flourishing.
Yet the Holy Christian Church was not formed to be a political party. As pastors and people, we must be careful that our congregations do not merely adopt political platforms as our guiding principle, but always uphold the word of God as our sole guiding principle. Where there is overlap of virtue and human flourishing in approaches to public policy goals with those of a biblical worldview, we can in good conscience champion those goals and even vigorously engage in the political process as citizens of this country for the common good.
Our Hope in Christ
What I have offered is a basic framework to navigate our politicized and vitriolic times. But along the way, remember you are loved by the Good Shepherd. Take heart that you have been washed in the saving waters of Holy Baptism and nurtured by his life-giving word and Holy Supper. Keep your eye fixed on him and your ears tuned to his word amid the political and social tumult of our day.
Yes, the times seem challenging, but the Lord is faithful to his promises. He is the Lord who came into the flesh to suffer on the cross for our sins and, in so doing, also taught us how to suffer and bear up under injustice. Yet, he is also the Lord who walked out of the tomb alive as the Resurrection and the Life, the Alpha and the Omega. He is the Lord of all Lords and the King of Kings. He will lead us forward.
