by Bror Erickson

GUEST COLUMNIST

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." Romans 13:1 (ESV)

It is interesting that Paul wrote this when he did. Christians often seem to forget Romans 13 when it comes to politics. What is interesting about this passage is that it was not written when Christians were in charge, but when the government was persecuting Christians. Christianity at its core is apolitical. That is not to say, however, that Christians need to be apolitical. To the contrary in fact, Christians should not be apolitical, but should be politically active. But they can, to a large extent, leave religion out of their political considerations in good conscience. For instance, they can vote for a nonchristian, or for someone they agree with politically, but not theologically. It is for this reason I as a pastor, though maybe privately with friends, do not endorse any one candidate or political party.

There are, however, some issues Christians feel very strongly about when it comes to politics. One of those issues is abortion, but then you don't need to be Christian to see that that is something the government should not condone. But when it comes to other social and economic issues, Christians should be leery of identifying them one way or another as a Christian issue. I am for some issues, against some others, and downright ambivalent on others that some think Christianity speaks out for. I despise the Christian Right for instance, and I do not like the Republican Party being identified with Christianity. Even so, I tend to vote Republican. I do believe one can be just as Christian in the Democratic Party, the Libertarian Party and many others.

Though I think it is very unchristian to be pro-choice, that does not mean I believe you are not a Christian for being pro-choice, or for voting for a pro-choice candidate. I just do not think that being pro-choice is very consistent with the values Christianity espouses.

Christianity is apolitical for the most part, because politics is about the law -- what you can and can't do. Christianity is about the gospel, the forgiveness of sins for all those things you do or don't do. Christianity is about the fact that God became man to die for you and forgive your sins, political or otherwise. The gospel, the forgiveness of sins, does what the law is incapable of doing. The gospel saves souls. It cannot do this with the law, Biblical or otherwise. It is for this reason I don't care what the government does or doesn't do for the gay community. Even though I believe homosexual activity to be sinful, just as I believe heterosexual activity outside of marriage to be sinful, it is not the government's job to tell me what is sinful or what isn't. The government's job first and foremost is to keep the peace. I want them to put pedophiles, murderers and rapists away, and to pass laws protecting my property. But what consenting adults do in the privacy of their home does not disturb the peace, just because it disturbs my sense of moral right and wrong. I do not need the government, nor do I want the government, enforcing my personal morals on adults. My morals don't quite fit those of others, and it would disturb my peace if their morals were made law and forced on me.

For instance, many people, for religious or other reasons, have what for them is a moral problem with drinking and smoking. I do not have that same moral framework, and I do not want it forced on me. I am against drunk driving, as it is an irresponsible behavior that endangers the public, but I am not against having a few drinks on Sunday afternoon with friends after church. Therefore I do not like blue laws, and do not understand them. I get the impression people are trying to save my soul, by passing a law that would forbid me from doing something they deem wrong. I don't see how me having a beer with lunch on Sunday afternoon at all disturbs their peace. I don't see how a law forbidding me to do so will save my soul either. Only Christ, the God who became man to die for my sins, can save my soul, or anyone else's. No one else can save my soul, with any law. I don't even believe I can save my own. We Christians, in this regard, do well to heed the Psalmist when he warns: "It is better to take refuge in the Lord, than to trust in princes." (Psalm 118:9 (ESV)

In all this, I have purposely stayed away from mentioning any candidate running for office. I am somewhat saddened to see religion playing as much of a role as it has this year in politics. It has made myself pause for personal reflection. I agree with Luther that it is better to have a wise Turk, than a foolish Christian for a prince. He espoused that thought even as the Turks were knocking at the door of Vienna with a battering ram. I think most Americans would agree with this. We all treasure the First Amendment. I like to see varying religious views espoused and debated in the public square. But I don't think I like to see religion, any religion, including my own, espoused in the political arena one way or the other. Politics and religion can both be quite heavenly, but together they tend to be hellish.

Bror Erickson is pastor of the First Lutheran Church in Tooele. He is a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Ind.