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In 1530 Martin Luther’s co-worker Philip Melanchthon constructed a confession of faith of 21 articles on matters of faith and 7 articles on protestant reform issues in an attempt to answer challenges raised by the Roman Catholic church. It forms the basis of Lutheran Christianity still. This being an election year, you might be curious to learn what the Augsburg Confession says about our civic duties as Christians. While there were strong efforts by other Protestant groups to withdrawal from civic responsibilities, our Confession encourages the following engagement in such duties. Article 16: (Latin version) Concerning civic affairs (we) teach that lawful civil ordinances are good works of God and that Christians are permitted to hold civil offices, to work in law courts, to decide matters by imperial and other existing laws, to impose just punishments, to wage just war, to serve as soldiers, to make legal contracts, to hold property, to take an oath when required, to enter into marriage.
In short, Lutheran Christians are both permitted and encouraged to engage in their civil and civic duties for the sake of themselves, others, and the world they live in. Christians serve both God and neighbor by being good, informed and engaged citizens. All this to simply say, since this is an election year of startling significance, you are encouraged to participate by offering assistance and by voting for the candidate and party of your choice. Vote. Vote. Vote. Remember that God is neither Republican nor Democrat but has from the beginning of the bible witness promoted a relentless concern for the poor and marginalized, the powerless, the immigrant, and a strong stewardship of the earth or the sake of each new generation. Go and do likewise.
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