The Idolatry of Power

Walter Bruggeman and Lesslie Newbigin among others suggest that the crisis of our time is not atheism but idolatry. Luther in his explanation to the first commandment in the Large Catechism says that the issue is not no god but the wrong god. Everyone has to have a god, so make sure that you have the right one because the wrong one will let you down and fail you.

Is it possible that one of the flourishing idolatries among us is the power of the military state? Is it possible that we are so intoxicated with our technological weapons, our unprecedented military might and power that we are seduced into thinking that our security, our future, our hope and the solution to all our problems is in military power?

I am not naive. Lutherans have always believed that God gives power to the state so that it might order, preserve and maintain society for the well being of its citizens. That power has always included the right to take life if absolutely necessary. That has been the great debate in our society these last few months about the war in Iraq. Does the situation warrant such action?

But such power is not the ultimate power nor the ultimate solution to our fears. Paul in the second reading for the Third Sunday in Lent (I Cor. 1:18-25) writes, "The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God ... We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

There is another power greater than Tomahawk missiles, Apache helicopters, Cruise missiles and Bradley fighting vehicles. It is the cross of our Lord Jesus. In the cross of Christ, God brings to naught the powers of idolatry and exposes them for what they are. In that cross, God terminates our power arrangements. In Easter's gift, God calls into existence that which all of the powers in the world cannot do, new life. This new life comes out of God, not our idolatries. That is truly good news for us and for our world.

It is not anti-patriotic nor non-supportive of our troops to trust that power as ultimate. It is instead trust in the power of the cross of our Lord Jesus that patriotism and armies are kept from becoming idols. That is good for troops, armies and countries everywhere. May we have the courage to proclaim the cross of Christ in these days and may the Holy Spirit give us the will to live trusting it.

Ray Gottschling,
Assistant to Bishop Lohrmann