A Pastoral Message in Response to the IRS Decision to Allow Political Endorsements from the Pulpit

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Internal Revenue Service's recent decision to allow political endorsements from the pulpit, ending a ban that lasted for almost seventy years, is very concerning. As Christians and members of Christ's body, the Church, this is a time for deep reflection.

A guiding doctrine of our Lutheran tradition has been the two kingdom’s doctrine, a teaching that has guided Lutherans since the days of Martin Luther. The doctrine underscores that God rules the world in two distinct ways: through the spiritual kingdom, governed by the gospel and the Church, and through the earthly kingdom, governed by law and civil authority. The doctrine warns that these kingdoms are not to be intermixed. The Church is called to proclaim the gospel, administer the sacraments, and shepherd souls, while the civil government’s role is to maintain order and justice.

We run the risk of crossing these God-given boundaries when the Church gets involved in politics. The pulpit is a sacred space for the proclamation of Christ crucified and risen. When used to support the agenda of earthly powers it undermines the message of the gospel and our witness, and further erodes the trust of those whom we are called to serve.

The United States has long upheld the principle that church and state should be separate. This protects both religious freedom and the integrity of our democratic institutions. This separation makes sure that the Church can speak out about issues of justice and morality without becoming a part of any political party or government. It also keeps the state safe from religious pressure and the Church safe from political manipulation.

The Church is not to be a mouthpiece for political campaigns or a tool for the government; it is to be a voice of conscience and prophetic witness.

The IRS's decision puts this fragile balance at risk. If we allow the endorsement of political candidates from the pulpit, we could turn our churches into political action committees, which would make people even less likely to trust the Church. The Church is not to be a mouthpiece for political campaigns or a tool for the government; it is to be a voice of conscience and prophetic witness.

There have been times in the history of the Church where there was need to make a clear and unambiguous statement, a “status confessionis.” This was the case when, in Nazi Germany, the Church was co-opted for the purposes of the Nazi party. The Confessing Church, led by people like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, knew that the gospel was at stake and would not let the Church be used by the state.

We face a different but just as serious challenge today that requires us to be bold in our baptismal life and discern carefully the way forward, standing firm in our confessions. The urge to use the pulpit to support political candidates must be resisted when we consider the lessons of history. Today, we are being called to remember that true power does not rest in politics, but in the transformative message of the gospel.

May God grant us wisdom, courage, and faithfulness as we navigate these challenging times.

In the heart of Jesus,

The Reverend Eric Randolph

Pastor, Peace Lutheran Church