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What’s the Answer?
I read the Pew Foundation’s latest Religious Life Survey the other day. Every 7 years or so,
Pew undertakes a massive study of religion in America. It has documented the decline of
religious affiliation and participation in our country over the decades – of which we all are aware.
But this latest survey, based on data collected in 2023-2024, indicate that the decline in
religious identity and participation has “flattened out” at least for now.
One thing that was interesting is that, among Christian Protestant denominations, the ELCA
ranks third largest, right behind the Southern Baptist Convention and the United Methodist
Church. Only 1.4% of Americans identify as ELCA Lutherans (Lutheran Church – Missouri
Synod is 1.1%) but in the most recent presidential election, the “liberal” Lutherans voted 54% for Trump. So much for ours being a “lefty” church!
But I always cringe when I hear talk like that. I know many faithful Lutherans whose socio-
political outlook is quite different than my own. Yet, there is something that we must hold in
common for our church body to remain “intact.” Defining what that something is may be difficult, but there must be something at the heart of it all that we claim in a manner that holds us together despite our differences.
Fear is rampant in our nation today. In our words, deeds, and intentions, fear is used as a
cudgel to force compliance or to get out-of-the-way. Fear of the unknown “others”, fear of
financial ruin, fear of falling behind, fear of missing out, fear of being left behind, fear of losing our freedom, fear of being labeled, fear of LOSING OUR LIFE – all permeate our social discourse.
But the church – our church and many others – has a word to speak in times like this.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, for fear has to do with
punishment and whoever fears has not been perfection in love. (1 John 4:18)
If fear is the issue, the problem, then God tells us that love is the answer. Not a squishy, mushy kind of love. No, the kind of love that God has for us, as revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. That kind of love has power, even power greater than death, and in the end triumphs over all our disagreements, our follies and failures, our wars and oppressions.
Love is the answer. That’s what the Good Book says.
Shalom.
Pr. Mark
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