A Message from Bishop Poulson On Politics, Faith, and The Upcoming Elections

Bishop Message

Sep 14

Written By EPIOK

Dear Friends,

This is not a Pastoral Letter (canonically required to be read and/or provided to all in our congregations), but it is a resource that I hope you will find useful and will share.

+Blessings,

Bishop Poulson

“Our Ruler and Guide”: On Politics, Faith, and the Upcoming Elections

(Holy Cross Day, 2024)

To My Friends in Christ in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma,

As we approach the upcoming elections in our nation amidst bitter partisan division, I want to share with you some thoughts and resources that may be of use in our congregations and homes.

Today, September 14th, is Holy Cross Day in our Episcopal Calendar. Its themes offer us both warning and hope. The warning is that when religion and politics mix, the result can sometimes be detrimental and even destructive to both. The hope is found in the teaching and life of Jesus Christ, who said “my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).

The Cross is an example of the danger when state power, religion, and human sin collide. At the same time, the Cross was where Christ drew the whole world to himself.

The history of Holy Cross Day itself is a complex mixture of holy devotion and matters of state, observed because Emperor Constantine dedicated the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on this day in 335, his mother, Helena, having (the legend says) found a piece of the true Cross there some years earlier.

As Christian citizens, we ought to be somewhat ill at ease in the world, for “we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14). And yet, while we are here on earth, we are meant to “be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1), and even to seek the welfare of the place where God has sent us (Jeremiah 29:7).

With these tensions and complexities in mind, allow me to offer seven principles that may be of help this election season, and beyond.

Our primary loyalty as Christians is not to any political candidate or human ideology, but to Christ. He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords through whom all things will be restored (BCP p. 236). In the midst of a divided and sinful world, the Church is to be salt and light, to model and proclaim God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. The Church has no power to change the world except by God’s gift and grace. But we are called to work for justice and peace, to stand with the vulnerable, and to bear strong witness to the values of the Gospel, pointing always to Jesus Christ, until he comes again.

When we are involved in politics, our faith should be our guide. As we choose for whom to vote, and which governmental policies to support, the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, and other guidance from the Episcopal Church ought to inform our choices. Consistent themes across the whole of the Judeo/Christian tradition are particularly useful, such as caring for the vulnerable, seeking justice, and pursuing peace.

As Bishop, I will continue to speak out, not on every controversial topic, but on those matters, especially impacting Oklahoma, where I believe the clear voice of the Church is needed. I seek always to do so with a Gospel rather than a partisan perspective.

Political platforms rarely line up perfectly with the Gospel. Many Christians find aspects consistent with their faith in political parties, and other aspects that are inconsistent. We have faithful Episcopalians in Oklahoma who are Republicans, and others who are Democrats or independents. Sharing the same values (for example, the relief of the poor) does not always mean agreeing on the same policies to put those values into practice. Sometimes, there are conflicting values at work. The right thing is not always clear.

At our best, our congregations are places where we can nurture friendships and facilitate discernment across a variety of strongly held differences, as long as we never cease to respect the dignity of every human being.

Forcing a particular religion on others is unchristian and undermines both society and religion. Freedom of religion is a cherished part of our national heritage. Policies that seek to impose aspects of one particular religion on others, including Christian nationalism, reduce the free choice of faith to coercion. The Gospel is be freely shared, freely practiced, and freely chosen by those who wish to follow Christ. In matters of public policy, Christians ought to, with good will, work with anyone seeking common sense solutions for the common good.

The moral character of our politicians matters. Political leaders are not clergy, but we ought to support those with wisdom, humility, kindness, and care for others.

Be careful in our use of social media. Social media is often a source of misinformation and disinformation. And it can bring out the worst of us in our interactions with one another. Does my social media use result in the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-3) in myself and others? Does it bring together or divide, lift up or put down?

It is good to pray for our leaders, and our country. One of the most important things we can do, as Christians, is to pray for our country, and for those in leadership. There are a number of good prayers for our national life in our Prayer Book.

Let us pray:

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 231)

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