We’re less than a week away from November 6th, a very important day in the life of our country. Our entire country is thinking and talking about politics during this election season. What does the Gospel have to say about politics? Does God’s Word give us any instruction on how we should vote or how we should respond to the outcome of the vote next Tuesday? The answer to both of those questions is a resounding “YES”! Space does not allow for a full answer to these questions here, but let me share three brief encouragements from God’s Word:
1) Vote. It’s estimated that between 17 and 30 million evangelicals did not vote in 2008. While it’s true that you will not find a chapter and verse that says “Thou shalt vote,” biblical principles clearly lead us to the conclusion that Christians bear a unique responsibility to “speak the truth” in the public square. Voting is an important means of doing just that!
2) Vote the Bible. I heard a great analogy just this morning that politics is much like a football game. The two teams are the two parties, and usually, they are trying to tackle each other to the ground! The church is much like the third group of individuals on the field of play; we’re the ones wearing the stripes, the referees. As Christians we’re not forever beholden to any political party, no matter what our “party identification” card may say. Like football refs, we are bound to the Rulebook and our role is to consistently remind the two teams of the rules of play. As Christ-followers, we are called to stand on the authority of God’s Word and to vote in accordance with what God has already said! This means we vote for the candidate (no matter the party) whose views and policies are most in keeping with the Bible. This means when clear biblical issues are on the ballot (like the protection of human life at all stages (Ps.139; Jer. 1:5; Gen 9:5-7; Lev 19:32) and the preservation of marriage and family (Gen 2:20-24; Matt. 19; Rom 1) we vote for what God has said even if it’s increasingly unpopular in our society.
3) Trust that God is on His Throne! Ultimately we can’t control the outcome of elections. We can control our vote. We can pray and ask God for His mercy and grace on our nation and for Him to give us leaders after His heart. But again, we can’t control elections. However, we do serve a God who is in complete control! When we wake up on November 7th, whether the candidates we deem to be most in keeping with God’s Word have won or lost, God is still on His throne! Our hope is not fixed on Mitt Romney or Barack Obama—our hope is fixed on Jesus Christ! Be encouraged by Scriptures like Daniel 4:35, Isaiah 40:17, and Romans 13:1. God’s Kingdom is marching on! We don’t know the exact manner in which the end times will unfold or what America’s role will be in those days, but we do know that God will put the exclamation point at the end of the sentence of human history. At the end of all things, there will be Christ, and there will be a blood-covered people gathered around His throne from every nation (Rev 5, 7). That’s where history is headed, so let’s be at peace church! The winner on November 6th will not change who will win in the end, who has already won at the cross, or who is counted a winner in God’s sight by virtue of faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 8:37).
Comments 24
While I agree with the biblical direction of point 2, are these the only biblical issues that should concern voters? What about the admonitions to care for the poor (esp Jas 1:27)? What about creation care (Gen 2:15)? To limit the discussion of biblical voting to these 2 issues is to discount a tremendous number of Christians who do not hold the sanctity of life and marriage as the top 2 issues to inform their vote.
I am fully aware that this will probably get me flamed in a major way, but I am tired of the “Biblical” way to vote equating to only one political party. Governing this nation is a complex thing that simply can not be boiled down to 1 or 2 key issues and all the rest be ignored.
Just a couple of questions about “voting the Bible.” First of all, Galatians 1:8-9 says, with emphasis, that any gospel preached other than the one Christ preached, even if it were preached by Paul himself or an angel from heaven, is cursed. The Mormon gospel that Mitt Romney proclaims is a different gospel, preached by an angel. Can you vote “the Bible” and vote someone who not only follows a cursed gospel, but who has affirmed his loyalty to it by swearing an oath in a temple ceremony to it and accepting the mantle of its priesthood?
Second, though Romney gives lip service to the pro-life, pro-traditional marriage position, his record is not consistent with what he says. He’s the first governor of a state to require magistrates to sign marriage licenses for gay and lesbian couples. And his record as governor was pro-choice, not pro-life. His Mormon faith does not teach that life begins at conception, it teaches that life begins when the soul of a spirit child enters the human body during birth. The previous Republican president touted a pro-life position through eight years of a presidency in which he had six years of opportunity to have Roe v. Wade overturned, and failed to do so, appointing a pro-choice chief justice. What makes you think that this one will do otherwise?
I vote the Bible when presented with an opportunity to do so. Neither of the major party candidates presents that opportunity this time around, and I’m not inclined to vote for evil, lesser or otherwise.
Caring for the poor is a biblical directive. But it seems to me that Jesus’ words on this subject are not directed to the state (ie. Caesar) but to the people of God. The Kingdom of God is not the USA, but the church.
When we confuse the roles of church and state, or try to blend the two the hybrid we produce is less in every way than what God intended.
Last time I checked the OT and NT seemed to agree that God’s ways are not our ways and that the foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of man. Seeing as voting doesn’t seem very foolish I’d question whether it’s God’s way at all and not just man’s way. What about voting for the lesser of two evils is supposed to be Christ honoring? I believe that if the Church removed itself from secular politics altogether we’d have far more opportunity to make the changes in the world we read about in Scripture.
Your third point makes a great argument for non-voting.
Abstaining from presidential elections signals to a watching world that our first loyalty is to Jesus and the worldwide fellowship of Christian believers, not to the nation-state.
When will the Church stop being a tool for one side, a fool to the other, and prophetic neither?
Still want to know why Mike Huckabee did not run for President? That would have given Christians a Godly man to support. Billy Graham is calling for people to vote on November 6th.
The church must be involved in doing the kinds of ministry that Jesus spoke about, feeding, clothing, visiting, etc. We should love all people and share the gospel.
But to not get invovled in politics, I don’t understand that position. Christians not voting or seeking political office will not solve any of our nation’s problems.
Thanks Scott Wilson for urging people to vote based on Biblical values.
Let me try to reply to some of this:
1. Tony,
There is a difference b/t issues that are clearly addressed by scripture and those that are not. I think the biblical case can be made to steward the creation, but it doesn’t provide full enough detail to make policy on it. Also, I think it’s quite clear that human life has a special dignity beyond other created things (made in the image of God). One forfeits their life in Gen 9 for taking another life, but that’s never said in reference to not stewarding the environment well.
The same could be said about care for the poor. This is a complicated issue that the Bible speaks to in a variety of ways, and we can’t point to one specific policy and say “that’s the biblical policy.” For example, Paul taught that if you don’t work you don’t eat. So, care for the poor may look like generosity in giving money or generosity in helping someone begin to work. There is complexity here.
Not so when it comes to murdering human life and marriage. The Bible speaks explicitly to these things. The injustice of condoning the genocide/infanticide of your own people is quite clear and no one who advocates it is fit to lead a nation. The Lord speaks quite clearly to sacrificing our children and the sanctity of human life. He speaks quite clearly about monogamous marriage. Our vote should reflect that.
No one is advocating one party. I’d be happy to vote for an independent if they uphold these explicit issues.
2. Lee,
I understand your concerns and am inclined to be just as disenfranchised with the whole process as you are. However, let me try to address a few things.
I agree that Romney believes in a false gospel, but the election isn’t about electing the best Christian, but rather who will lead our nation the best and closest to biblical principles as Scott mentioned above (of course even a devout evangelical wouldn’t lead us in exact accordance with the Bible bc we are all sinners). You have examples in Scripture of unbelieving leaders who are nonetheless benevolent and do good things by God’s grace (Cyrus for one).
Also, I understand not wanting to choose the lever of 2 evils. However, I think based on texts like Jeremiah 29 (seek the peace of the city you are a sojourner in), Romans 13, and 1 Peter 2 where we are called to submit to governing authority, that part of that in our context is being a part of the governmental process, so I am going to do my best to be involved in a fallen process.
If I have to choose bt one who may have a shaky record and the one who is the most pro-abortion president in our history, then I’m going to choose the one who says he’s pro-life until he shows he’s untrustworthy this time around. Again, I understand the frustration but anything that I can do that gives a glimmer of hope to saving 1 more baby I’m gonna try it. Hope that helps.
3. Blake and Michael,
I understand your frustration and desire not to vote. I agree that the church has/can become too political and equate politics w/ gospel. I wholeheartedly reject that. Hope for culture transformation is not in politics, but in the gospel.
However, God has given governing authorities to uphold justice and restrain evil. If we can be a part of the process of deciding who will do that God-given task, then I think we should.
I agree that God is sovereign, reigning and in control, but I don’t think that means that non-voting is the way to go. The Sovereign Lord commanded his sojourning people in Babylon to seek the shalom of the city (jer 29). He commands us to submit to governing authorities, and if part of the governing process where we live is that we get to in some way govern ourselves, then I’m going to be involved.
I don’t think voting shows loyalty to nation-state above God/other believers, it doesn’t have to hinder the Great Commission, and it doesn’t keep us from being prophetic.
See the works of Russell Moore to see one who stand for justice for all issues and does so prophetically: environment, orphans, abortion, etc.
Hope that helps. Appreciate the interaction.
Jon
Jon,
Jeremiah 29 requires nothing more than what is commanded of us by Christ in loving our neighbors and enemies as was demonstrated by early Christians. Romans 13 should never be read apart from Romans 12 (“abhor what is evil,” “endure in suffering,” etc.). Submission to authorities is entirely different, even in our context, from participating in politics. There is no law that says we have to vote, therefore voting is going beyond submission to authority. Don’t add to scripture.
Different parties uphold certain kinds of justice and restrain certain kinds of evil based on their agenda. At the same time their agenda also allows them to promote other kinds of injustice and commit other acts of evil. You’re not just choosing through your vote what kinds justice should be promoted and evils restrained but also what injustices and evils should be allowed to be committed. When Christ says, “Be perfect therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mat. 5:48), I’m pretty sure voting for evil and injustice is excluded from that.
In my opinion, voting always hinders the Great Commission and is not prophetic. Not voting can be prophetic. The Church can collectively say that we follow God’s ways and we do not need governments and political philosophies to change the world in a way that is even greater than the ways governments can change the world. The early Church managed to change their local communities even while being persecuted. Christendom and Christendom-thinking has ruined the Church’s witness. Someday the antiChrist may come up for election and many Christians will vote for him/her because they are more concerned to vote than to live prophetically in the culture around them.
Blake,
Are you suggesting that Christians do not vote and do not seek public office?
There are many Christians will sound Biblical principles and skils that could be used in public office to solve our nation’s problems.
Please explain what you see as the role of a Christian citiezen.
Darrell
Darrell,
That there are Christians with Biblical principles and skills that could be used in public office is irrelevant to the clear commands and examples we find in Scripture. Armor was available for David to fight Goliath but that doesn’t mean he would have been faithful to God or won had he used it. Just because something seems like it should be better if you add something that would seem to bolster it, does not mean that it’s God’s will and therefore will bolster it. The victories and defeats of Israel clearly testify to that.
When it comes to improving the world the Biblical model seems to be the wisdom of God through his chosen people vs. the wisdom of man through their governments and armies. God’s Word and God’s Church are all Christians need and anything more only demonstrates a lack of faith in God to succeed with the tools He has chosen. By participating in politics we only further deceive the world into believing that their ways are necessary for their own success. We need to have faith in God that demonstrates not only the goodness and wisdom of God, but does not also mislead the world into believing that their ways offer any hope whatsoever.
The role of a Christian citizen is to honor God with their body, mind, and spirit, participate in the life of the church, live peaceably among their neighbors and pray for everyone.
Blake,
I want to be extremely clear in response to you b/c it seems that you did not understand what I wrote.
First, the charge that I have added to Scripture is an EXTREMELY serious charge given what the Bible says about those who add to scripture. You have not read me accurately and should be very cautious before you ever make charges like that. Just because you draw different implications from what you interpret scripture to say than what I have drawn, it doesn’t mean that I’m adding to scripture.
Second, I’m not advocating reading Romans 13 apart from Romans 12. Paul is writing this to a church under a very evil dictator and yet tells them to submit to authorities, and says that in some way that authority, even though fallen and evil, is ordained by him. The key is Romans 12 he tells Christians not to seek vengeance but to wait on the Lord. Then in Romans 13 he tells one means by which God does mete out vengeance, governing authorities, even evil and sinful governing authorities.
Third, I’ve re-read my post. I never once said that anyone HAS to vote, that there is a command in scripture to vote, or that our country has a law to vote. What I am arguing is that Romans 13 says we are to submit to governing authorities because they are ordained by God. By implication in a country where governance is in some way by the consent of the governed then it is reasonable to take part in that process, even if it is imperfect and complicated.
Fourth, no one has advocated that one party perfectly upholds justice and restrains evil while the other does not. What I am advocating is that some politicians stand for things that are clearly delineated in scripture (sanctity of life and marriage), so it is not unreasonable to try to support them, even though they may be imperfect in dealing with other complex issues.
Fifth, when you argue that our vote promotes evil and injustice and violates Matt 5:48, I don’t see how you can be consistent with your view in a fallen world. There is NO WAY to be consistent with that. You would have to avoid all restaurants, all grocery stores, all clothing stores, etc. and grow your own food and make your own clothes in order to not support people who may perpetuate injustice.
Sixth, I never said that voting is prophetic. I never said that politics transforms society, only the gospel does (I was clear with that in my post). That’s not the role of government. If your interpretation of scripture leads you to imply that you should not vote, then that is fine, but don’t act like everyone who does vote is in unbelief, thinks their vote will transform society, etc.
Jon
Jon,
1) I’m not charging you with literally adding to scripture. You are not a scribe and I interpret those scriptural warnings to apply primarily to scribes. However, they still usefully serve to caution us on how we interpret and proclaim what Scripture says. I believe in seeking to understand Scripture according to the plainest interpretation it provides based on the context it gives. We certainly do derive different implications from the passages quoted, but it seems to me to imply that voting is an acceptable activity of Christians from the passages is more a matter of readily allowing your 21st century American context to inform your interpretation than seeking a plainer understanding of Scripture. It is in this way you are adding to your interpretation of Scripture things that can not honestly be implied from the words themselves.
2) Agreed, but remember there is a difference between what God does and His reasons for doing them and what He specifically requires of us. Just because He uses governments does not mean He has blessed our participation in them.
3) I disagree. If it is so reasonable then that should be a caution flag to any believer before proceeding with participation. Reasonable according to who or what? Did God say it is reasonable? Did God bless this action? Paul was a Roman citizen and there were other Roman Christians yet we have no evidence that they participated in the political process to the best of their ability. Does anyone else not find it strange that for all the advice the Bible gives on wisdom, finances, relationships, etc. it is eerily silent on another of the most pervasive issues in human history: politics? God knew that people all over the world throughout time would read the words He gave the authors of Scripture to record and there is no clear guidelines for responsible participation in government or a Godly political philosophy. Instead, we have a people set apart from the world constantly striving to shame the world’s wisdom through God’s “foolishness.” That is what we have and I don’t agree with adding to that or implicating more from that.
4) Jon, you’re minimizing how detestable these “imperfections” are before a holy and righteous God. Even the pro-life candidates are still okay with abortion in the contexts of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. Yes, they are imperfect, but that is putting it mildly. They are totally depraved and will also seek to do injustice and evil. Christians can not condone this. It is naively idealistic to believe that a vote only condones what the voter intends to condone in the candidate’s platform (btw, not calling you naively idealistic only stating a fact). A vote is permission for a candidate to do what they will both good and evil and we should not play any part in permitting evil.
5) I do not seek to be faithful to a view, but to Scripture. It is true that the world is fallen and that we can not be perfectly consistent to avoid evil, but it does not seem that God expects us to be either. Matthew collected taxes and Jesus paid taxes that financed His own crucifixion. They submitted to the authorities as they should, but they did not go beyond submission. Voting is a choice and we do not have to take part in furthering evil and brokenness in this world. We should not take part. We should prophetically live as the Church dependent only on God (not on governments) and model a different way for the world. What could the Church accomplish if we abandoned politics and used all that money and time to show the world what God can do through a people devoted to Him?
6) I do not believe that those who vote are in unbelief. I do believe that many do it because they have been trained to do it and not question it’s value. I believe many do it because they have an immature hermeneutic that seeks only commandments and prohibitions rather than to discern the bigger picture running through all scripture. I believe some do it because they lack the faith to “let god and let God” as the cliche goes. I’m not participating in this discussion (which I thank you for providing, Jon) to condemn all who do differently. I’m participating because I want to help the Christians not fall into the previous three categories of voting so easily. Also, if you didn’t think it would in any way transform society then why do it at all? People only vote because they think it will make a difference.
“let go and let God”*
Blake
Please give your specific views for the role for government and the church to “transform American society.” By transforming American society, I am assuming that means to make it more like the early church model?
I absolutely agree with one of your previous comments: “The role of a Christian citizen is to honor God with their body, mind, and spirit, participate in the life of the church, live peaceably among their neighbors and pray for everyone.” I would like to hear your thoughts on how to exactly do that. Do you think the early church is our model? If so, how do you implement it in our society today?
By the way, I am enjoying these thought-provoking dicussions.
Thanks,
Darrell
Darrell,
Thanks for being interested in my thoughts. In all the times I’ve had this discussion no one’s ever been interested to ask what I think this looks like. As for the role of the government, certainly verses can be pointed out about government and the sword and feeding the hungry. I believe whether or not the government follows those is between them and God since I think they are a distinctly unChristian institution in this world.
I do think the early church is a good model for Christian engagement with society today. In my ideal world churches of like mind would network with each other to effectively evangelize and care for their communities. Maybe particular churches would focus on particular needs or the network would collectively start up faith-based non-profits to address what they consider to be the most pressing needs of their community. If they are concerned about abuse in the home then the churches would pool their resources (from Christians discipled to give generously of their resources none of this works if we’re not willing to potentially become poor in the process) to start up shelters and offer counselling services and family mediation.
If they are concerned about abortion then maybe they start up some kind of adoption agency where they wait in front of abortion providers and ask what it will take to get the women to either keep the child or at least give it up for adoption and then they do everything in their power to meet those needs. The early church combated infanticide by adopting the babies that were left to die. Part of how Christianity spread was because there were so many young Christian women adopted through this that the church was the easiest place to find a wife. They were marrying unbelievers in droves because their simply weren’t nearly the numbers of Christian men.
If they are concerned about violence in their streets they should seek to discern some of the contributing factors to the violence and address those. What prisons are most of those connected to the neighborhood in? Minister to them. Teach peace and reconciliation techniques to the children and neighbors. Provide job training and job opportunities.
For any problem the church can encounter in their neighborhood their exist people in this world who are already finding creative and effective ways to combat it. If the church devoted itself to being intimately connected to where its at and serving the people’s needs then I think the gospel becomes much more effective because it is being lived out exactly as it is proclaimed. There is not the dissonance between word and deed that plagues the church in most of the world.
I think a lot of churches are doing some of these things already. I don’t think I’m on to anything new. The only thing I am trying to tell people is that the Word of God is more than sufficient to guide us on how to reach the lost around us. If we would abandon ourselves to studying and living the gospel and through engagement with other Christians discern biblical ways to apply it to our own time and place we might begin to see the growth and miracles we read about in Acts. Politics is an unChristian distraction. It causes disunity and hampers good will and fellowship in the body. It eats up valuable time and money the Church could put to great use doing the things more effectively than the government could ever hope to. We are more than capable of transforming this society. I look to people and groups like Clarence Jordan and Koinonia Farm and Shane Claiborne and The Simple Way as just a couple examples of what can be possible if we spent more time trying to reconnect our orthodoxy and orthopraxy than fighting pointless unChristian battles.
Blake,
I agree with you about the things that the churches could and should be doing together in their community. I am convinced that what prevents churches from transforming society and spreading the gospel is that churches are competing for members. So, they offer programs (various types of worship services, multiple types of activities, etc.) to entice families to join. And in doing so they do not go out into the community and do the very things that Jesus told us to do.
My task is to get churches in my community to take a lot at how to do the things that you have mentioned and that Jesus told us to do. I continue to talk to church leaders and members about about things such as afterschool programs, etc. But it does seem that most are only interested in growing the size of their congregation. I guess it is a matter of more money in the offering plate or a status symbol to be part of a large church. I even heard a pastor belittle what he called “social programs”. and say that what was most important was spreading the gospel. I told my son that maybe the pastor should take a look at what Jesus accomplished. Jesus found a way to spread the gospel and feed, clothe, visit, etc.
Just so you know, I do attend candidate forums, especially in our local community. I want to challenge the people running for office to be mindful of Biblical principles when making decisions. I also want to pray with and for them. I do vote.
I look forward to talking with you more. And as I get the churches in my hometown to be more engaged with meeting the needs of our citzens I will report back.
Blake, it has been of great comfort to me to hear your insight into how Christians and churches should follow the example of Jesus and the NT chruch to be involved in transforming society be more like God’s kingdom.
Thanks,
Darrell
Darrell,
Thank you for the efforts you lead in your community and for all the ways you are attempting to disciple more Christlike Christians.
Enjoyed reading the article all of the comments. I can not vote for Mitt Romney. Simply put.. Psalm 1 says do not walk, stand or sit with evil. 2 John says not to receive an anti-christ into your home nor send him on his way.
Mitt Romney believes and teaches that Christ plus works get you to Heaven. His faith believes salvation does not exist outside of the mormon faith. God’s word says that this makes him an anti-christ.
I can not walk, stand or sit with Governor Romney at the polls nor vote to send him on the way to lead our nation. My vote for him would put me at odds with the scriptures I mentioned.
Many other persons of faith have made arguments that is ok to vote for Romney. I don’t feel led to do so.
Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. I hope this comment stream will continue to be a place for Christ-followers to interact about these important issues in the next couple of days leading up to the election.
I’d like to just respond briefly to a few of the comments made above…
Tony–
Jon’s reply pretty well encompasses my view. I certainly didn’t mean to imply that those two issues are the only ones that should inform our vote as believers. As I shared in the introduction I was striving for brevity. However, as Jon points out, while there is considerable debate among Christians on other issues (e.g., who has the responsibility to care for the poor, the government or the church? etc…), there really can be no debate among Christians on doing everything we can to protect life.
Blake–
I didn’t include much argumentation on point #1 in the original post because I really don’t believe it requires that much defending. I believe the burden of proof falls much more on those who would call particapating in the political arena (either by voting or personally running for office) as “unChristian.” Being salt and light in our culture drives us to be involved in every sphere of society, bringing God’s Word to bear. Christ doesn’t want us to be “of” of the world but He didn’t pray that we would be removed from the world (John 17). Your “let go and let God” approach is commonly called passivism or quietism and I don’t believe it reflects the whole of Scripture when it comes to Christian ethics and cultural engagement. I would encourage you to check out a book like Neihbur’s Christ and Culture which explores the different ways Christians have historically interacted with an unbelieving world. I do agree with much of what you wrote in your last response to Darrell about ways the church can engage society with the Gospel. The church I pastor is seeking to reach our community in many of these same ways. However, I believe it is a “both/and,” not an “either/or.” I don’t believe God would have us abdicate the arena of politics to those who don’t speak from a biblical viewpoint. Even a basic factor in Christian ethics like “neighbor-love” drives us to be politically engaged on some level.
Steve–
I certainly appreciate your point and I think this is one of the most difficult aspects of this election for many believers. We have two candidates running for office who claim to be Christians, but one is a Mormon, with a heretical Christology and soteriology, and the other is beholden to “black liberation theology,” which also bears little resemblance to the Gospel. However, I think it’s important to remember a few truths. One is that we’re not electing a pastor, we’re electing a president. Wayne Grudem makes that point here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B20-tlrw-ZU
Unfortunately there isn’t an evangelical on the ballot. If you believe that Christians have a civic responsibility to vote I’m not sure that the lack of an evangelical on the ballot removes that responsibility. Also, the fact remains that one of these two men will be president after Tuesday’s election. Is one more likely to govern in keeping with biblical values than the other? I think the answer is clearly yes. But if every believer were to decide to refrain from voting (as you have to this point) the church would in essence be saying that the difference between these two men (parties, platforms) is morally and biblically negligible. And I don’t think that’s accurate.
With that said, I certainly respect your right to abstain from voting and appreciate your respect for those of us who have been led differently by our interpretation of Scripture.
Scott, I’m not sure you understand how burden of proof works. From wikipedia: “When debating any issue, there is an implicit burden of proof on the person asserting a positive claim.” You have claimed that it is Biblical for a Christian to be politically engaged. The burden of proof is on you. I have defended Christian non-voting and I really don’t appreciate your dismissing my arguments as passivism and quietism. I am neither passive nor quiet and most who believe like me are not these either. Further, I’ve read Niebuhr and feel that recent Anabaptist scholars have thoroughly dismantled his arguments. Are you familiar with Anabaptist political theology and biblical scholarship (and by that don’t mistake what they call ‘Anabaptism’ at SWBTS with what I’m referring to)? The both/and approach has got Israel and the Church in trouble pretty regularly. The Bible seems to very clearly advocate an either God or man approach to the world.
Scott, I enjoyed reading your reply to my post. Thanks for the comments. I have Wayne Grudem’s book on politics. It is an interesting read. One point I would offer for consideration is our obligation to vote and what constitutes a vote.
After each election, political scientist and pundits will sit down and analyze what happened and how. They will see the total vote and the amount of voters who chose to vote on down ballot candidates and issues. Typically, more people vote for President than they do for their congressional seat. The total votes cast in the same election cycle for local offices have even less votes. Political parties will see a drop off in top of the ballot votes and will wonder why. If the gap is large enough, they’ll understand not to nominate candidates their base can’t support. Not voting, can be considered a vote of no confidence for any of the Presidential candidates.
Democracies are relatively new in world history. Recently, I often wonder what Martin Luther would have thought if he lived in a democracy and had the choice to vote between a mormon and person believing in liberation theology. Given his writings where he says, “When I pray, I ask God to curse Erasmus.” I don’t think he would have voted for either. While I agree we are not electing a pastor, every time we are told in the Bible chose leaders, it is pretty clear the qualities we are to evaluate.
I remember in the Old Testament where God told the Israelites not to enter into treaties with the pagan countries around them. I think the biggest reason for this is that God wanted their faith in Him for protection, not the pagan countries. I can’t support putting my faith in an anti-christ to make our country more like Christ.
Again, thanks for your comments and giving me more things to consider as I pray over Election Day.
Some interesting comments on here to say the least – here are some wise brothers tackling this issue in our newest post – http://www.baptisttwentyone.com/2012/11/b21-panel-how-should-pastors-christians-engage-in-politics/
Blake,
I sincerely pray God’s blessings on you. I think we’ve reached a point in our dialogue where it’s probably best to just show grace to one another and allow each to “be convinced in his own mind” (Rom 14).
Steve,
If you follow the link Nathan just posted you’ll hear Mark Dever affirming your point that not voting in a particular case is a way of expressing your vote. I would agree with that, even while I’ve shared a few of the reasons why that has not been my decision in this election. I still believe your argument to not vote in this particular case (and Dever’s affirmation of your right to do so) is in a different category than Blake’s argument (if I’m reading him correctly) that any engagement in politics is unChristian and should be avoided.
Good day, I am new to pools. We got a new house in the winter which has a swimming pool that we discovered hasfailed to be dealt with for around 2 years. My spouse and I opened it two weeks ago then have been treating it. It started out with a substantial amount of crud in the bottom that we sucked out. It is now very light green, but it is failing to get much better. I found a business nearby, has anyone heard about them or vouch for any others? Affordable Pool Service & Repair, 2942 N 24th St #114, Phoenix, AZ 85016, (602) 910-2295. Any type of tips will be helpful.