My friends,

 

I am thankful that our congregation is concerned enough about the social and political well-being of our nation to take an interest in elections and to vote. There is no doubt that “government by the people, of the people, and for the people” complicates the biblical commands to submit to our government. Submitting to our government is, philosophically speaking, submitting to the will of the people of our nation. This creates an interesting dilemma. We become responsible for the direction of the leadership. It is difficult to navigate these ideas given the statements made in the strictly monarchical and imperial cultures of biblical times, when people had no choice in the matter and were subject to the whims of their leaders without recourse. So, more than ever in history, subjecting ourselves to the authorities is a complex command to obey.

 

This election, like all others must be looked at from a dual perspective. First, “How can I responsibly interpret the claims of the candidates in light of spiritual truth, and so vote in a way that honors God?” Then we must ask, “Given the results of the election, how can I best pray for and influence the government, giving respect and honor to those God has placed in office?” Remember when the prophet Daniel and the apostle Paul spoke of the divine appointment of government leaders, they were speaking of despotic, pagan emperors who had constant policies of expansionist warfare and who oppressed millions. In Paul’s case, he was describing the man who would sentence him to death for his faith. I doubt that Mr. Obama or Mr. McCain, had he won, regardless of their policies, would bring the kind of censure that is reserved for leaders like Nero or Nebuchadnezzar.

 

I’m sure some would appreciate it if I would take a more active role in describing the positions of candidates and endorsing the “right” one. I have steadfastly and purposely avoided even appearing to do so. The separation of Church and State is an Anabaptist idea at its root. Both our spiritual values and the laws of the land unquestionably pull me as pastor and all of us collectively as “the church” away from making overtly political statements. I do not even tell others how I vote. In fact, I am disturbed at how candidates and churches alike ignore this principle when it comes to elections, but are so attentive to it when it comes to taxes. It is nearly dishonest of many churches to claim separation of church and state to gain a tax advantage in light of the sectarian activism they embrace during elections. In the same way, it is shameful of government officials to use the pulpit as a platform one day and claim equal treatment under law toward people of all faiths the next.

 

All that said, I trust that the individuals of our church can debate and disagree about politics and remain respectful of and loving toward one another. There may not have been an election in my lifetime where the religion ticket was more hotly disputed and the church at large was more divided. In this case, as Mennonites we are both distinguished and internally divided by our political “third way.” And, above all, it is arrogant for any of us to presume to know the ultimate spiritual condition of any individual. Only God knows.

 

May God give our present Republican administration and the incoming Democratic one His grace and love. May He bless them with wisdom. May He prosper our nation because of the moral choices they make, and may He forgive them and us for the immoral ones. May He guide us out of their consequences. May He bring us peace and freedom both, as incompatible as those two ideals sometimes are.