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| A Ralph Nader bumper sticker that many evangelicals agree with... |
In this vein, another article was posted today by a respected Christian leader concerning the following issue: Should American believers vote for the lesser of two "evils" in the election of a public official? A number of theologians (agreeing with Ralph Nader) say ABSOLUTELY NOT. I am not convinced that Dr. Moore's logic here is airtight. When it comes to electing unsaved officials to public office (Rom. 13) who defines whether a candidate is "EVIL" or "GOOD?" If both candidates have character flaws and policies that you disagree with must one abstain from voting for the best of the worst (lest they choose evil)? Is this the only valid "Christian" point of view? (Mormon conservative Glen Beck and others say yes; while Rush Limbaugh, Ben Carson, and other non-Christian conservatives disagree). I remember hearing John MacArthur say in 2012 that believer's need to realize that they are not selecting a local church pastor when they vote (see 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 for God's non-negotiable qualifications for church leaders).
What can we learn from history? Four years ago over 4.5 million evangelicals stayed home on election day. Many believe that this decision (to not vote) helped reelect the radical pro-choice, pro LGBTQ, anti-Israel, liberal candidate (President Obama). Ted Cruz has made this same point on the campaign trail; (Cruz believes he will get these Christian non-voters to the ballet box this year). Evangelicals who stayed home in 2012, or who wrote in Mike Huckabee. said "They could not vote for a Mormon (since the Bible defines Mormonism as a cult)." Or that, "They would not vote for a 'Massachusetts moderate,' or a 'Rhino' who has flip flopped on major biblical/social issues. Though I privately disagree with this line of reasoning these believers are not less spiritual because of their personal convictions and actions. Let's face it- many people could not vote for Romney or McCain in faith. For the majority of Christ-followers who pulled the lever for McCain and Romney I hope those believers who stayed home in 08 and 12 would not question our loyalty to King Jesus or the Word of God either. Why? True disciples should be careful to uphold the following principle as we make difficult decisions: "In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity." In the spirit of Ephesians 4, may we disagree with other believers in a manner that is pleasing to Him. At the end of the day, I don't want to divide the body of Christ over a wisdom matter such as this.
On a related note, I did not see many blog posts questioning the Christian black community after 95% of professing black "protestants" voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012...(we now have SCOTUS, ISIS, Christian baker's fined $150,000 and out of work, honest Christian judges who retired post-SCOTUS, private Christian schools that are being sued by the LGBTQ community, police officers who feel increasingly threatened and hated, and the list goes on and on). Yet recently I have read hundreds of articles and Facebook comments that have gone after professing evangelicals for simply saying that they will likely choose the "best of the worst" should it come down to Trump vs. Clinton in November. At the end of the day, this decision is a matter of wisdom and conscience. I believe that pastors and Christian bloggers should take great pains to make that point crystal clear. Can't we be honest and say, "Good and godly men disagree on these things!"
Lest anyone think I am making this up let me validate this assertion. In my Christian sphere one godly (seasoned) pastor privately said he would not vote for Trump or Rubio in November; while another well respected blogger/pastor in Virginia (Jesse Johnson) publicly endorsed Marco Rubio; while another long time member at Grace Church (CA) thinks Trump is the best option for America. I'm sure that their are evangelicals who will vote for Clinton. It is clear to me that God-fearing Christians come to different conclusions when it comes to choosing the best of the worst in presidential elections.
I have shared some of my personal convictions this year because I have read too many articles that have lacked proper balance or in some cases Christian grace. For example, today I observed people who once supported Ben Carson because of his character and integrity say the nastiest things about him. Why? Because he decided to endorse Trump (apparently this decision makes Dr. Carson a fool and a compromiser and a fraud in the minds of some people). Some believers assume Trump is going to be nominee. Men like Jerry Falwell have apparently concluded that if they can become one of the King's advisers (like Joseph or Daniel) than they can help influence some of his policy decisions (like who to select as the next Supreme Court justice). Only God knows the heart motives of these men (even if we ourselves would never do this).
I have shared some of my personal convictions this year because I have read too many articles that have lacked proper balance or in some cases Christian grace. For example, today I observed people who once supported Ben Carson because of his character and integrity say the nastiest things about him. Why? Because he decided to endorse Trump (apparently this decision makes Dr. Carson a fool and a compromiser and a fraud in the minds of some people). Some believers assume Trump is going to be nominee. Men like Jerry Falwell have apparently concluded that if they can become one of the King's advisers (like Joseph or Daniel) than they can help influence some of his policy decisions (like who to select as the next Supreme Court justice). Only God knows the heart motives of these men (even if we ourselves would never do this).
At the end of the day, I have told my congregation that they must seek the Lord in prayer and vote (or not vote) in faith. I have also reminded my Christian friends and readers that they may not come to the exact same wisdom conclusion as Phil Johnson, Russell Moore, or Caleb Kolstad concerning November's election (and that's ok).
In short, I lovingly disagree with those who say the "best of the worst" is never proper in relation to secular elections of public officials; but I respect those who feel differently and I truly believe you should too!
Post-Script: 1) I came across this thought provoking comment in response to Dr. Moore's article today. "If Moore is telling us not to vote, then he's ignoring the reality that a vote not cast for somebody often is a vote for somebody else. So not voting (or filling in John Piper) can still produce something we consider to be wrong. Meanwhile, since God looks at our heart, why not trust that He knows the processes by which we decide (enthusiastically or not) to vote for a particular candidate? After all, He's the One ordaining our rulers, right? Our vote is a mechanical action; those things in our heart that influence how we vote matter more, don't they? Therefore, which is better: "washing our hands" of the dilemma before us, or trusting in God's sovereignty even as we exercise our liberty to vote based on limited knowledge? (not that this is at all easy for me, either)!"
2) As Donald Trump secured the GOP nomination I feel like David in 2 Samuel 24 when he is presented with a few options- all are undesirable- yet all of them are just judgments.
In short, I lovingly disagree with those who say the "best of the worst" is never proper in relation to secular elections of public officials; but I respect those who feel differently and I truly believe you should too!
Post-Script: 1) I came across this thought provoking comment in response to Dr. Moore's article today. "If Moore is telling us not to vote, then he's ignoring the reality that a vote not cast for somebody often is a vote for somebody else. So not voting (or filling in John Piper) can still produce something we consider to be wrong. Meanwhile, since God looks at our heart, why not trust that He knows the processes by which we decide (enthusiastically or not) to vote for a particular candidate? After all, He's the One ordaining our rulers, right? Our vote is a mechanical action; those things in our heart that influence how we vote matter more, don't they? Therefore, which is better: "washing our hands" of the dilemma before us, or trusting in God's sovereignty even as we exercise our liberty to vote based on limited knowledge? (not that this is at all easy for me, either)!"
2) As Donald Trump secured the GOP nomination I feel like David in 2 Samuel 24 when he is presented with a few options- all are undesirable- yet all of them are just judgments.
