1 Corinthians 2:16
Q. Do Christians have a moral obligation to vote and is there a biblical model for voting?
A. Yes. Christians not only have the obligation to vote but should see it as an opportunity to exercise their liberty responsibly…. “Choose capable men who fear God, love the truth, and hate dishonest gain.” (Exodus 18:21)
Q. Who do Christians rely upon to tell us how to vote?
A. Christians have the Holy Spirit to lead them into truth. (John 16:13). Christians have no reason to trust in chariots or horses but should trust in the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:7)
Q. Does voting make a difference?
A. Do you want to rejoice or groan? “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when the wicked rule, the people groan.” (Prov. 29:2)
“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual – or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.”
Samuel Adams
Q. Is there a connection between liberty and Christ?
A. He came to set the captives free. (Luke 4:18) If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36) It was for freedom that Christ set us free. (Galatians 5:1) Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (1 Peter 2:16)
Q. Is voting about values or principles and what role does conscience play?
A. Values are subjective and cultural but biblical principles are universal and eternal. So the Christian is to renew his mind (Romans 12:2) and to “take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). With this renewed mind you can vote in accordance with your conscience.
Q. Why is voting secret?
A. Your vote is an expression of your conscience which is to be sacredly stewarded as God-given property.
Q. Do I as a Christian know what the purpose of civil government is?
Read Exodus 18:13-27, Deuteronomy 1:9-18, Deuteronomy 17:14-20, 1 Samuel 8, Isaiah 33:22, Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Romans 13:1-7, and 1 Peter 2:13-21
General Guidelines
Ask:
- Does the candidate recognize the right to life, liberty, and property as God-given?
- Does the candidate recognize that the purpose of government is to secure those rights?
- Does the candidate understand that to exercise powers not given to him is tyranny?
- Is the candidate a capable, honest individual who fears God?
- Does the candidate understand the constitutional rules regarding taxing and spending and will he/she be a good steward of that revenue and not plunge the USA further into debt/bondage?
- Will the candidate use military force appropriately and justly?
- Does the candidate recognize the equality of all before the law and equality of opportunity?