Lutherans believe government is “created and instituted by God.” (Augsburg Confession, article XVI, Kolb and Wengert, p. 48).

Luther spoke of “Two Kingdoms” as a Biblical teaching in his 1523 treatise “Temporal Authority: To What Extent It Should Be Obeyed,” particularly section 1, in Luther’s Works, vol. 45 (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, and Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1955- 1986), pp. 81-104. Luther says The two kingdoms are two realms, the temporal and spiritual, and that there are firm links drawn between the right-hand and left-hand dimensions of God’s governance. (See Luther’s Works, vol. 13, p. 197.) Luther’s thought echoes Augustine’s City of God. God works through kingdoms, earthly and divine. The kingdom on the right proclaims God’s love and forgiveness. The kingdom on the left provides order in the world, politically, economically, and socially. Think law and gospel, church and state.

We care about good government because good government provides schools, roads, oversight, health (medicare, medicaid, Social Security), justice, oversight of food, agriculture, and banking, defense, response to national disasters, and more. People of faith should be civically engaged, because government is a gift of God, but also because government must be constantly scrutinized and held accountable. Energetic civil engagement is our baptismal vocation. It is a way we love our neighbor in the public square.

We live in a time where there is incredible distrust of government. Legislators are influenced by those with considerable financial resources. The January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol has raise the specter of political violence.

The church must use its voice to encourage a peaceful process where all voices to be heard and represented. The church is not a political organization, but we speak to political organizations. We are called to speak truth to power, as Moses spoke to Pharaoh.

In light of this, the links below are presented to provide faith leaders with resources, prayers, scriptures, theological insight, and strategies for navigating this election season, before, during, and after the election.

Resources