Pastor’s Corner 9-21-2025
Dear church friends.
It is tempting to imagine the early church floating above history, as abstract and eternal, separate from the mess of politics and power. Yet its leaders lived under the shadow of empire, where faith was never separated from questions of authority and justice. They believed that God’s power could meet—and even transform—the powers of this world. That conviction remains just as urgent today as we face an era when authoritarian governments are resurging. The same fears that troubled ancient communities—war, repression, and the loss of freedom—resonate in our own time. In light of these realities, we are called to pray not as a retreat but as a form of courage that shapes how we live, how we act, and how we hope together.
It is sometimes easy to forget that the apostle Paul lived under an authoritarian government. He envisioned evangelizing the Emperor of Rome (Acts 25). He believed that if the emperor could be converted, then the entire world would follow. Although this vision was not realized until nearly 400 years later with Constantine's conversion, Paul's perspective reveals a practical aspect of his theology. He recognizes that God's power interacts with the power of the world.
An example of pragmatic Pauline theology is found in this week's New Testament reading (1 Timothy 2:1-7). In this passage, the author encourages Christians to pray for "kings and all who are in high positions" (1 Tim 2:2). The goal of the apostle (1 Tim 2:7) is that everyone understands the salvation available through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. The hope is that even those in authority would become better leaders if they knew the full truth. According to 1 Timothy, that truth is that Jesus Christ helps people understand God's will and desire for humanity (1 Tim 2:5).
We also live in times that are becoming more authoritarian. Both in the US and around the world, authoritarian governments are on the rise, according to the Economist Intelligence Democracy Index. There are many reasons to be afraid, including the possibility of an economic recession, war, a curtailing of freedoms, and threats to social services. Let us continue uniting in prayer that leads to action. Pray for our decision makers (even the ones we don't like) and rejoice in the truth we have. As we face uncertain times, may our prayers nurture hope, soften hearts, and remind us that God’s power is always greater than the powers of this world.
Faithfully,
Pr. Josh