Question: Who Should Christians Vote For?

Allow me to offer a simple take: Christians should vote our sincere conscience.

With the election just eight days away as of this writing, we are being bombarded by people trying to tell you who you must vote for and support. Within Christian circles, pastors are telling their churches that they must vote for Trump, not only saying that “you can’t be Christian and vote for Kamala”, but also that “in an election like this, a Christian must vote” because “a non-vote is a vote for Kamala.” There are some saying this in reverse as well, but, let’s face it, there are fewer Christians advocating for Kamala, and, therefore, their voice is not as loud.

So, who should Christians vote for in this election?

Let’s look at Paul’s counsel:

Romans 14:1–4, 8-10 (CSB) — 1 Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about disputed matters. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while one who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not judge one who does, because God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s household servant? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand, because the Lord is able to make him stand… 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Christians must weigh these candidates for who we think is fit to lead the nation and act accordingly, but we must retain our choice as the decision of our own conscience. We must not let anyone compel us through religious manipulation to support their political agenda. And, whatever decision we make, we must make it being convinced that it’s the right in God’s sight. But, while we certainly can share our reasons with others (I’ll share my decision at the end of this post), we must not judge others for the decisions they make.

In the above discourse, Paul addresses questions regarding the application of God’s word. And, while there are explicit teachings in Scripture that are clear and unambiguous, which are not up for debate (i.e. God created all things good; humanity sinned; Jesus is God in the flesh come to save the world, etc), he teaches us that Christians are not justified in dividing over the things that we distill from God’s word. We have no authority to judge one another over such matters. In fact, where you believe another is “weak in their faith” because they do not understand as you do, then you are commanded to “welcome them“, and, in so doing, you humble yourself before God! However, Paul’s point is clear that when distilling Scripture to apply to things that Scripture does not itself address, we are to do so humbly as ones who will stand before the judgment seat of God, which is why I’ve done the kind of work I’ve done on this site to break down my political theology into propositions so that others can see the reasoning behind my views and make their own decisions before God. I never write to condemn another for their conscience because they belong to God (not me)!

Okay, so how am I voting?

First, here’s some background to my thinking: in my study of God’s word, I have concluded, similar to David Lipscomb, that the symbol of the Babylonian Prostitute in Revelation represents the Church mingled with the State. Thus she rides atop the Beast, which represents the kingdoms of this world under the power of Satan. Her intoxicating wine represents the immoralities committed in the pursuit of political power that drives the world mad. Christians cannot drink the harlot’s wine by compromising our values for the sake of political power.

Here’s how I apply this view to our politics: when Christians inhabit chaotic times where there are no upright political leaders, they should stand outside the political powers of this world and testify to them about the Kingdom of God and his coming judgment. Whenever Christians find themselves with political power, according to the measure they’ve received, they must fulfill their duties without compromising the Kingdom of God. For my part, I do not have political office, but, because I’m an American citizen, I must decide whether or not to delegate my share of political power to another through my vote. Since I believe both candidates are truly wicked, I’ve decided to abstain because I will not delegate my political power to wicked people. Kamala’s policies are openly vile and murderous. Democrat rhetoric has appears to have encouraged at least three assassination attempts. Trump is deceiving and corrupting the Church to accept, justify, and even embrace rhetoric, attitudes, and character-traits that are antithetical to the Christian way of life, making hypocrites out of vast swaths of the Christian Church, who, for the sake of political power, have compromised many of their own core values! I believe it’s wrong to support wicked people in exchange for some perceived benefit.

However, through all of this I have an unshakable peace because I believe all leaders are ultimately under the sovereign rule of God, some of whom he raises up to prosper nations, while others to punish them, but all of whom sit under his decree. His reasons for raising them up belong to him. But, whoever wins, I will submit to their authority and pray for them, just as I’ve done for Biden, Trump, and Obama in the U.S., and Hu Jintao and Xi Jingping when I was in China. Whatever happens, I will endure it as one who knows that I rest in both the care and discipline of the Lord. So the world will not shake me. This means that I will go to work every day and be a light in my workplace. It means that I will lead my family in Christ. It means that I will serve my Church. It means that I will be a good neighbor. Although I don’t have control over the nation, I can influence my little circle.

My hope in writing all of this is that you might find peace with the decision that you’ve made for this election. I know at least one Christian whom I believe is a Christian that is voting for Kamala. He has thought out his reasons carefully, and has actually been courageous enough to publicly defend them, answering questions with thought and sincere reflection. I disagree with him, but he remains my fellow servant before Christ. I know many Christians who are voting for Trump. Again, I disagree with their decisions, but they are my fellows in God’s Kingdom. I suspect most of you disagree with my decision not to vote. But I hope that you see me as your fellow in God’s Kingdom. At the end of the day, we are all simply trying to answer how we will use what has been given to us for God’s Kingdom.

So how are you going to use your share of political power in this election? Will you vote or abstain? If you vote, who will you delegate your political power to in your vote? Share you thoughts and reasons below to the extent that you are comfortable doing so!