​ELECTION DAY

We all continue to endure the political ads, blustering rhetoric, misinformation, and incivility of another election. Most of us, I think, will be relieved when the election is over. I’m not sure that candidates understand that demoralizing the electorate is not a good long-term strategy. Demoralized or not, however, as Christians, we have a responsibility to participate in elections and cast our votes. We have a responsibility to lift-up our leaders in prayer and work to make the world a better place through our political decisions. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 instructs: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

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It puzzles me and makes me a little crazy when I hear people of faith talk about absenting themselves from the political process. Believing that faith is a purely “spiritual” thing, they eschew getting “dirty” in the world of politics, and the world in general. I ponder the messiness of the cross, where Jesus is executed as a political prisoner. I think of Paul standing before governors and even the emperor. I note the sacrifice of martyrs like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Oscar Romero, Martin Luther King Jr. and a host of others. How can a Christian think they have no call to wade into the messiness of the world and at least vote!

Eugene Cho, Executive Director of Bread for the World, a leading organization in the fight to feed the hungry and one of our mission partners recently shared this:  “A recent poll reported that 41 million Christians, 32 million who regularly attend church, plan to sit out this election. When asked why, 68 percent say that they are not interested in politics. These are shocking numbers. I acknowledge that politics isn’t the most important thing, but we ought to correct the notion that politics isn’t part of the larger arena by which God can orchestrate things for His glory. Politics matter because politics inform policies that impact real human people who are created in the image of God.”

Cho asserts that, “As Christians, we are meant to be engaged citizens. One of the ways we do that is to exercise the right and privilege to vote. Voting is important. It’s also only the beginning of how Christians can work toward God’s Kingdom through community with each other.” The ELCA’s statement, The Church in Society, teaches the same thing: “Citizenship is a part of our vocation as faithful disciples. Christians also exercise their calling by being wise and active citizens.”

Voting is the most elemental way that people who are blessed to live in a democracy (and millions do not) can be faithful disciples. The ELCA statement outlines three things that guide our engagement in the public square:

• Christians have the responsibility to defend human rights and to work for freedom, justice, peace, environmental well-being, and good order in public life.
• They are to recognize the vital role of law in protecting life and liberty and in upholding the common good.
• Christians need to be concerned for the methods and the content of public deliberation. They should be critical when groups of people are inadequately represented in political processes and decisions that affect their lives.

I join Eugene Cho is saying: “However you vote on November 5, I hope you keep at the forefront of your mind the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love each other.”

Pax Christi,
Tim Olson – Lead Pastor