by Robert L. Franck
Voting is hard, frustrating work. It involves a complex mix of issues, some morally unambiguous, some bewildering, all important. We want clarity, a clean choice. The choice is rarely clean.
Therefore, it is not surprising that throughout American history some Christians have refused to participate in politics. The theological basis is that this world is ruled by Satan and that politics is his game. So we must not join the dirty sport. This is bad theology followed by bad practice.
Christ rules over all powers in heaven and on earth, politics not excepted. Furthermore, he has entrusted all of life as a stewardship to us, so we should work for good in all areas, wisely using the influence he has given us. We must not stop doing this because the circumstances are terrible—wicked leaders, oppressive government, corrupt culture. There are many biblical examples. Joseph served Pharaoh. Obadiah served King Ahab. Daniel served Babylon. Cornelius served Rome. They did not withdraw. They honored God in their circumstances. This general principle—do-what-you-can-for-good—is expressed by Paul’s exhortation:
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed. (Titus 3:1)
Since we have the privilege of selecting the leaders we will be subject to, the do-what-you-can-for-good principle applies to voting. It is a coin with two sides. On the positive side, we should vote for those who uphold the righteous truths of the Bible. On the negative side, we should vote against politicians or policies that are immoral. The course is straightforward on some issues, such as abortion, but more confounding on other issues, such as foreign wars, economic policy, environmental concerns, and “social justice.”
This brings us to a second principle—the birds-of-a-feather-flock-together principle. The birds in this metaphor are a politician’s positions on various issues. Considered separately, each politician will probably have some birds we like and some we don’t like. Shrewd politicians will try to blur the issues in order to lessen opposition to those we don’t like. (The classic dodge is: “I’m personally opposed, but I cannot legislate morality.” Translation: “I will legislate immorality.”). Most politicians’ flock of birds is consistent with their underlying beliefs. We should learn to discern these beliefs and then evaluate them in the light of Scripture. An example: politicians who support a “woman’s right” to abortion usually also support “homosexual rights,” meaning gay marriage or even Orwellian “hate crime” laws. Why do these birds flock together? Because underlying beliefs support both “rights”—there are no ethical absolutes (meaning there is no real God), personal autonomy is the one absolute, and government should promote these “rights” through the force of law. Does the Bible have anything to say about these beliefs? Yes, clearly. Focus on the birds you recognize, and realize that the rest of the flock is resting on the same branch.
So vote. Vote for the politician whose flock will do the most good or, more realistically, the least harm.