Americans will go to the polls in a couple of days. We face important decisions on the office of President, members of Congress, and a host of other issues. Christians are both sides of many of those issues and candidates.
In June 1998, the Southern Baptist Convention met in Salt Lake City, Utah. Attendees at the Convention voted on several resolutions which expressed the views of that Convention on several issues. One of those resolutions approved by the Convention was titled “On Moral Character of Public Officials.” The final Resolve in the Resolution asked Americans “to embrace and act on the conviction that character does count in public office, and to elect those officials and candidates who, although imperfect, demonstrate consistent honesty, moral purity and the highest character.” The reason for such a resolution was obvious. President Bill Clinton, himself a Southern Baptist, was embroiled in a scandal involving adultery and lying under oath. The scandal ended with his impeachment by the United States Senate, the second President in American history to face such a trial.
Considering the political landscape in 2024, the SBC in 1998 could not have been more prescient. Anyone who has watched even a small bit of news coverage would understand why the term “Silly Season” would apply to this election cycle. Charges, countercharges, name calling are running rampant. Polarization runs higher now than ever. This has affected Christians as well. Christians are being told “believers must vote for Candidate X” and “Christians could never vote for the party of Candidate Y.”
What should a believer do?
In a non-partisan way, let me remind you of three truths.
First, God will not be surprised with the results next Tuesday. Our God knows the “end from the beginning” (Is. 46:10). The free will decisions of his creation are known by Him and those decisions will all work to accomplish His will for the universe.
Second, God used pagans to accomplish His plans. In the Old Testament, we see that God even used non-believing kings to accomplish His purposes. The Pharoah of Egypt, King Nebuchadnezzar, King Artaxerxes, and King Cyrus all interacted with the nation of Israel and were used by God to display His power and might over history. Surely God can do the same with the President of the United States.
Third, the church will survive no matter which candidate wins. Some pundits have attempted to frighten Christians into voting for a particular candidate by claiming that persecution and infringement on religion will occur if the other candidate wins the presidency. I would urge you not to fall for such faithless tactics. Jesus Himself said that gates of Hades would not prevail over His church (Matt. 16:18). If Hell has no chance, why would a political party?
Some of you may still be looking for some guidance on how to navigate the candidates. In the spirit of the 1998 SBC Resolution, I might suggest you prayerfully ask yourself the following question.
Which candidate more faithfully represents the tenets of the Christians worldview, both in personal behavior and policy prescriptions?
In prayerfully considering the issues and candidates in this election, I did not believe that either of the major party candidates faithfully represented the tenets of the Christian worldview. Therefore, I could not vote for either one. I took advantage of Louisiana’s early voting to cast my electronic ballot for a third-party candidate. Everyone who reads this blog post will not agree with my decision, but part of our freedom as Americans is to vote our convictions. Those are mine.
Let me give you one more truth.
Politics is temporary. No political division should bring about a division between believers.
Don’t forget to vote on Election Day.
Mark Riser - Apologist 