The good news is that I will not write about voting for another two years. I promise I am more relieved by this than you are.
Have you met Christians who say politics, culture wars, and public policy are a waste of time? Here’s my answer: “Compared to what? Comparing reality with your ideal is misguided. Instead, compare it with what would exist without Christians’ involvement and substantial contributions. Fact: things would be far worse if Christians had stayed out of the public square.”
In our form of representative government, Christians have a sacred duty to vote, and when we vote, to vote our convictions, our beliefs, and our values. Christians have a duty to debate public policy, and Christians have a duty to engage culture wars. If the Christian worldview is superior, and by definition, it is, then we have the moral obligation to defend, proclaim, and promote the worldview that descends from our Lord for the good of all humanity.
Fallen people govern fallen people.
Our shared American history has more than a few great moral injustices in our rear view. It wasn’t socialism or modernism or communism, that eliminated or seriously reduced child mutilation, slavery, child labor, sex trafficking, infanticide, and more. The work of Christians getting involved and saying, “This is wrong, and it must stop!” is what won the day.
Not long before his death from cancer in 1984, Francis Schaeffer spoke at Liberty University. During a Q & A round, a student asked, “Dr. Schaeffer, it seems to me that the church is in the 10th round. It is bloody; it is beaten; it’s on its knees. Is there any hope that we can win?” Schaeffer responded, “Son, if you do it to win, you have lost already. Whether they win or lose, Christians fight the culture wars because our risen Lord has commanded us.”
The Lessor of Two Evils
In his ongoing providence of his creation, God instituted government for the suppression of evil and the promotion of good (Romans 13:1-9). The problem is not the institution. The problem is the roster. Fallen people govern fallen people. Governed people resist government, and government abuses and misuses its power for the same reason – both are fallen. The best politicians will govern sinful people. The best people will be governed by sinful politicians. In our two-party system that means we always will vote for the lessor of two evils.
The lessor of two evils may make for unappealing choices. On the ballot is a candidate who champions “expand(ing) access to abortion for women in every state.” Her opponent calls herself “pro choice,” but her position does not advocate making abortions easier, cheaper, and normative. This is one issue of many that makes a distinction between the candidates. What is a Christian to do? In our system, third party votes are meaningless. If you cannot vote one or the other for sake of conscience, then don’t vote at all. I will not impinge on your conscience; just know your vote is meaningless in the fight for the culture.
Looking at my sample ballot, I see my options are a guy named Pharoah and another named Nebuchadnezzar. Which one is more likely to hear the words of the prophet? Which one is more likely to restrain evil and promote good? That’s the one that will receive my vote.
By the way, it’s Voting Day not Voting Season – let the reader understand.
As always, thanks for reading, and I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.