Geographically, we Minnesotans still occupy the same physical space - the same part of God’s good creation - we always have. Culturally and politically, however, one could make the case we no longer live in the same state, or even the same world, we did even a few years ago.

• With the Minnesota Department of Education adopting new Teacher Licensing Standards that force all new teachers to profess adherence to key elements of Marxist Theory before they’ll be allowed to teach in Minnesota’s public schools;

• With the State of Minnesota declaring it will take temporary legal custody of non-resident gender-confused children whose parents are unwilling to subject those children to chemical experimentation and surgical mutilation;

• With the State of Minnesota claiming abortion is now a “fundamental right” to be exercised up until the moment of birth and, in some cases, beyond;

• With the State of Minnesota threatening licensed therapists with the loss of their license (and their livelihood) if they assist minor patients who request help in reducing same-sex attractions but actively encourages the reverse kind of therapy;

…it becomes inescapably clear these are not normal times.**

With these and many other equally disturbing examples of legislative and bureaucratic audacity, we are forced to recognize we no longer have political leaders who subscribe to the Judeo-Christian and rule-of-law principles on which this state and nation were founded. No longer do our political leaders seek common political and cultural ground allowing all the citizens of Minnesota to feel equally respected by the state.

How did such a situation come to be? There are, of course, many contributing factors. Certainly, one of them is the excessive degree of ideological conformity expected by party leaders, especially those advocating for progressive policies. This is then compounded by a mainstream media which has ceased to function as a neutral conveyor of information but has, instead, become an undeclared advocate for one side of the political and cultural aisle. All of which has left most of Minnesota’s citizens with only an inkling of the radical transformation visited on our state and its people in recent months and years.

Where does all of this leave us as Christian citizens? Are we simply left to despair over these many changes that, in total, have left us with a state government far less reflective of the Christian values and perspectives of its people than before?  I think not. That is, while the political and cultural situation we find ourselves is serious, I believe we are still justified in continuing to be people of hope. Why?

First of all because, even though they are stressed and under attack, the basic elements of our system of representative government continue to function, allowing people to elect new political leadership that better reflects our Christian values. Indeed, though challenging to accomplish, there are very few of the statutes enacted this past legislative session that cannot be reversed by future legislatures and governors. This is a fact which certainly calls on each of us to become more politically aware and active on the local, state and national levels.

Secondly, I would contend that while the act of passing legislation which imposes radical changes of attitude and behavior on the people can sometimes be accomplished very quickly (witness the last legislative session), still, public acceptance of those changes, especially when they conflict with the deeply held convictions of the people, typically occurs much more slowly, if at all. Certainly, the failed attempt of Roe v. Wade to change the hearts and minds of the American people on the issue of abortion is a clear example of this in the judicial space - a fact, which should motivate all of us to join with other Christians in supporting organizations like Lutherans for Life in advancing their pro-life work.

Finally, and most importantly, since as baptized Christians we have been joined to Christ, both in his dying and in his rising, and since we know that God’s sovereign power is far greater than that of any earthly authority or ideology, despair is simply never a real option for us. For in the end, though we and our neighbors may suffer for a time under these God-forsaking policies, still we know He will ultimately provide relief. Of that, Scripture provides numerous examples.

And so, while we continue to work energetically to protect the welfare and guard the dignity of all people using all the tools our citizenship affords us, we place our ultimate trust in God’s grace and power, confident He will, in His own good time, bring all things to a good end (Romans 8:28). Thus, we remain a hope-filled people.

** For a more complete list of the legislation passed in the 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session refer to the June 7, 2023 One Voice for Public Policy posted at the MN South District website

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.

In Christ,
Rev. Fredric Hinz
fred.hinz@mnsdistrict.org
507-317-9634

Public Policy Advocate
MN South and North Districts   
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod