The Bible, the ballot box, the lesser evil and other sundry controversies
My brother-in-law commented on my blog recently in response to my post about the Constitution Party. His comment was essentially that sometimes Christians have to vote for the lesser of two evils. I’ve been thinking on that idea and decided that I would address that topic in more depth.
I have been tempted to vote for the lesser of evils many times. But until this coming election, I have always found myself firmly behind my candidate. I’ve loved him, believed in him and really felt he was God’s man each time. Until this election. When I was shown the pool of candidates I had to choose from, I was not enthusiastic. None of them were what I wanted in my president. Some of them were wrong in every way. Giuliani, for example. Some were biblically unsound but good on some policies. Romney, for example. And some were spouting some good theology but their actions didn’t match up to their words. Huckabee, for example.
I voted for Ron Paul.
Unfortunately he didn’t win. We are left with three very unsavory candidates. I won’t go through all the reasons why Hillary and Barack are biblically unqualified. That is a no-brainer. But, my Republican friends, John McCain is equally unqualified.
Should Christians, then, hold their collective noses and vote for the Republican no matter who he is, what he believes or where he stands? Should Christians compromise the commands of God in Scripture out of fear that the evil and villainous woman might become president if we “waste” our vote. (Please understand that I do believe the most terrifying five words in the English language are ‘Hillary Clinton Commander In Chief’. ~shudder~ May the Lord have mercy on us all!) How about the even scarier Obama? He scares me more than Hillary, my friends! But, I don’t cast my vote out of fear but out of obedience to the Word of God.
I love what Doug Phillips has to say.
More important than who wins or loses the 2008 election is this: Will Christians look to the Bible as their absolute standard for determining what principles must guide their voting practices? At stake is far more than the presidency. The question concerns the conscience of the Church. We can “win” an election, and yet sell our spiritual birthright. Conversely, we can “lose” an election yet remain faithful to the Word of God, thus preserving the conscience of the body of Christ, and enjoying the favor of the Lord.
Elections matter. They matter a great deal. But what matters the most is that the Church remains faithful to her bridegroom by following the only infallible standard ever written for the selection of civil magistrates. That standard is the Bible, and there is none other that perfectly reflects the mind of God. It is our source book for determining what guidelines must govern the selection of our leaders.
God’s will is not thwarted if I do not cast a vote for one of the three ‘big dogs’ in this fight. I would rather be an uncompromising Christian than a lapdog of a party that no longer represents my biblical or constitutional beliefs. I have no anxiety as to the outcome of this election. The Lord already knows who the next president will be. I pray it’s none of the three and that the Lord would see fit to raise up a generation of courageous Christians that can change the course of the election by voting for a biblically qualified candidate. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?!! No matter what, the Lord is in control and I rest in that knowledge.
What do you think? I’d like to hear thoughts and opinions, especially if they go against my pesky brother-in-law.
Stop. I kid. I kid! He knows I love him!
Very good and thought provoking!
I agree that I’m not thrilled about any of the candidates, but I will still vote Republican because when you look at the majority of party lines, I still feel that others who DO hold my same values in Congress or House would be served better with a party member in the White House.
Also, the God who was able to mold the hearts of men in the past and use them for His glory is the same God today. He’s in control, and I will trust Him to lead/teach/discipline/protect us, no matter who is Commander in Chief. Perhaps the lesson we Americans need to learn in the future will not be pretty and he will use the right person for teaching us to rely on Him.
Lastly, because I have a long-held belief that if you don’t vote you have no right to have a say in the leadership of this country, I will be placing my vote. I want to be able to say that I’ve done all that I could to have a say in the leadership of our country.
This is the thing I don’t get - I am a Christian, lock stock and barrel.
But we do not live in a Christian nation.
Yes Christians make up the majority of the nation, but I don’t think it is spiritally sound to try to force people to live according to my beliefs. I live my life as Christ like as I can - teach my kids, spread the word of God where opportunity arises but those of my friends beleive differently, we have agreed to disagree on spiritual matters and remain friends.
I don’t want my government telling me to live according to anyones faith, and I know they (NCF) don’t either - this is the one thing we all agree on (my non christian friends and I) that God granted us free will. It is not the governments place to dictate how and when I get to have free will. So i vote in a way that preserves free will, and I make my choices acording to my faith. For example - vote pro choice but live pro life.
This comment will probably bring on a fire storm , but I have seen so many blog entries like this and it just leaves me sad, so I thought this time perhaps I would leave a comment.
Shalee,
Great comment! That is exactly my point! I will not vote out of fear because the Lord holds the heart of whoever wins in His hand and He is ultimately in control. I also agree that everyone must vote! Even if I have to write in my candidate, I will be at the polls in November!
Raquita,
I agree that we currently do not live in a Christian nation but that is not how I believe the founding fathers meant for it to be. I am also pessimistic enough to feel that the government really cannot be reformed. It is too big and too corrupt. That does not mean that Christians should sit by and do nothing as we head down this somewhat dark path we are on. But, we do not fear because the Lord is in control.
I also agree that I want as little government control in my life as is possible. (hence, my earlier post on the atrocities being leveled against the polygamists in Texas by the state agencies) but I do not believe that voting for ‘no laws’ (such as a pro-choice vote) is preserving freedom or free will. Without laws, preferably based on God’s law, evil men will reign. I could never and would never vote for anything that goes against God’s law. It would violate my biblical principles. When we do all things and hold all things to the standard of God’s Word, it puts us in a position that deviates from the world pretty drastically. I’m getting used to that in my old age! Ha!
Great comments everyone!
This is one of those many situations when I am perfectly happy to leave sovereignty to God! LOL I used to get completely freaked out about the evil that reigned (or potentially reigned) in the world of politics until I studied the book of Daniel and was completely convinced that God “sets up kings and deposes them” (Dan. 2:21) and “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men” (Dan. 4:17b)
I think it is very important to vote my Christian conscience and beliefs. And then trust that He has a greater plan. I wonder whom we would vote for if we knew. . . a “Christian” president would keep things going smoothly for years or a “heathen” president would result in God’s imminent return?! Puts it all in a different perspective.
God is God and I am not. Hallelujah!
Hi Linda,
Very good point indeed! Who would I vote for if I knew what the results would be? Hmmmm. I am so thankful that God is God and I am not!!
I find it slightly ridiculous that you so trivially dismiss Barack Obama, which makes me think that your dismissal is most likely based on misinformation. Have you read any of Obama’s written works or listened to his speeches? By the standards of leadership set forth in the scriptures, it is readily apparent that his positions adhere far more closely to the Biblical standard than any President in recent memory, not the least of which is our current President.
Hi Albert,
Actually I wouldn’t say that I have ‘trivially dismissed’ any candidate. I’m actually a bit of a ‘political junkie’ and I enjoy reading and learning about all the candidates. You have to know your ‘enemies’ in order to engage them in a healthy debate, after all.
Barack Obama is not biblically qualified to be president. I would like to know how it is that you can ‘fit’ where he stands on basic moral issues into an upholding of the laws of God. His stand on gay marriage and abortion alone disqualify him.
But, he is disqualified for me for reasons even beyond the biblical ones. He is one of the most liberal liberals to come down the pike in quite some time. His ‘big government’ entitlement ideals scare the heck out of me! As I’ve said before, I’m a ‘less is more’ girl when it comes to government intervention in my life. I could never be a liberal for that reason even if there was nothing else… and there’s so much more but I’m sure you don’t want to read my ‘book’ on why I’m a conservative. In fact, my own party has abandoned it’s conservative principles and I’m unhappy with them at the moment. I am praying they turn themselves back to the true conservative principles that made them great once upon a time.
So, we’re either not reading the same Bible or we’re not talking about the same candidate… I’m not sure which.
I am a republican as well — ultra conservative, I might add. Yes — this has been a very disappointing race … but I will still be voting for McCain. I feel like we need to look at the greater picture and see how a republican in office will benefit those of us with conservative views in the long run (appointing judges, etc) … besides … Obama frighteningly reminds me of communism and their view points. Frightening! Also, I keep hearing more and more Christians refer to him as a snake in the grass. And … his “PEACE ALLIANCE???” (his Campaign to establish a U.S. Department of Peace) Please don’t get me started. They say that they are a “nonpartisan citizen action organization representing a growing constituency for peace” — Yikes! That may be, but you know what it reminds me of? One faith, one ruler. One currency. The Antichrist…
Scripture teaches us that the Antichrist will be a political, religious, charismatic individual… it sounds like a few candidates already. I’m not saying that the Antichrist is one of the current political candidates, but I personally think the Antichrist will leave the impression that his motivating force is love, concern for humanity, and pity for the oppressed, but what actually drives the Antichrist is not love but hatred…
Oh, dear. Sorry for my outspoken thoughts. You’re welcome to delete them if you wish.
Hi GiBee,
You’re not outspoken at all… especially, ahem, compared to me. ~wink~
Obama really is a scary fellow with that ‘peace alliance’ thing, isn’t he? It does have ‘one world religion’ written all over it. Yikes! To me, Obama is scarier than Clinton. He always has been. I just have a very uneasy feeling about him.
So … looks like we have even MORE reason to be concerned about Obama… now that it seems like he’s the official democratic candidate and all. Frightening. Worrisome.