October 24, 2008
Dear Church Family:
This coming general election will be my seventh presidential election for which I will have the privilege of voting. There is nothing I value more as a citizen of this wonderful nation than the right and awesome responsibility of electing a president. I will tell you that during these 28 years of voting, some of the people I voted for lost, but some won. Of the ones that were victorious in the election, I was disappointed with some of their policies and decisions. I have been a verbal critic of those for whom I voted when their decisions have been less than stellar. I say that so you understand that I view these issues objectively and without overt bias. It is clear to me that our system of electing and our form of government is not perfect, but when it comes to earthly governance it has been very fruitful and certainly has allowed democracy and liberty to reign. That is why I believe every citizen, especially believers, need to prayerfully, intellectually, and diligently take this responsibility very serious.
As we approach November 4th, I feel compelled to share some thoughts on the election and how I make a decision based on godly wisdom. More times than not, I have cast my Presidential vote for the “lesser of two evils.” That is a terrible thing to admit but I have only cast my vote wholeheartedly without reservations twice. That means I did not fully agree with many of the policies and ideas of a candidate for whom I voted. So the question begs to be asked – “What are some principles or factors that lead me to decide who to vote for especially when I am conflicted about certain ideas and policies?” In true preacher mode I have three points and they’re alliterated….
1. Core Principles of Government
Historically, our nation has thrived because of values and principles at its core – three to be exact. The first and foremost is the need for personal responsibility. A nation is doomed when the individual is not challenged with taking responsibility for his life, livelihood, and discipline. When people are allowed or even rewarded for being irresponsible it sets into motion an unhealthy environment. Having visited Macedonia (a former communist country), we can clearly see the negative and life-threatening effects of a nation that has been stripped of the value of taking personal responsibility. When a government creates systems whereby people are no longer encouraged towards personal responsibility it results in a nation waiting to “eat its own.”
Second, our nation and its virtue are based on a country that has encouraged and celebrated a charitable spirit; that is, the people themselves become the source and solution to the woes of its community. As a matter of fact, our country has always rewarded those who demonstrate charity. America is one of a few nations that gives tax credit to people who give to charitable efforts. The reason this is important is that a charitable spirit is the glue that holds our community together. Our choice to help others proves our moral virtue. When the government takes away our privilege to be charitable and becomes the only source of solving problems, that spirit is extinguished.
Third, and finally, we must hold to the tradition of government being limited in the affairs of men. Yes, we need some regulations. Yes, we need laws to be enforced. But, as Romans 13 affirms, government is there to protect the law-abider and punish the evil-doer. When there is more government, it means there are more taxes. More taxes limit a person from exercising their personal initiative and responsibility and exercising their charitable spirit. In recent days I have heard people respond that “evil-doers” are corrupting our system of government. While I partly agree, the fact is government and laws can never legislate morality.
So when I go to the ballot box I want to support the candidate who will protect these essential values of a healthy nation – the priority of personal responsibility, the rewarding of a charitable spirit, and the limited view of government intervention into the lives of people.
2. Character of the Candidate
Obviously, it would be wonderful to have a thoroughly born-again, growing, mature believer as a President. However, we are not looking to establish a theocracy; we are looking to find a capable, quality person to manage and govern an earthly, human institution. Additionally, I recognize that the “best of men (or women) are men at best.” We are all sinners and so this person will not be perfect. However, I need to find someone who holds my values and keeps company with those of similar values. 2 Corinthians tells me “bad company corrupts morals.” I believe that. A person’s record on voting, accomplishments they have done, and the longevity of their service all play a role in determining their character. I do not just “take their word.” When someone says to me they are a “committed Christian,” I am responsible to determine what that means. I think all of us over the years have seen the error of supporting those who said those words. One other thought about character. Consistency proves character. What a person said in one venue should be the same in another. What a person voted for at one time should be consistent in the future. Can candidates change positions? Yes. But then let them share why and give their rationale. Where I am most jaded in the political process is in the realization that all politicians will say what they need to get elected. Integrity in words, policies, positions, and speeches; who advises them; and who has influenced them over the years all speak to character.
3. Consistency with Biblical Truth
My final determinate for voting is to examine a candidate’s policies and position and run them through what I will call the “Bible Test.” The Bible cannot give us a complete litmus test concerning a party platform; however, on issues to which the Bible speaks, we are compelled as believers to take note and fall on the side of the Bible, especially when those positions are crystal clear. Recently I dialogued with a campaign staffer concerning her candidate’s positions. I asked her if these were opinions or based on truth. I had to explain to her what I meant, which was not a good sign. Nevertheless, I was able to show her that her candidate’s beliefs were basically situational ethics combined with personal opinion and not based on the truths of God’s Word. She was silent. On issues of life, such as abortion, it is not a matter of how emotionally difficult that decision is on a woman. The fact is God’s Word has determined that murder is wrong. Murder is defined as “anyone who takes another life unjustly.” We know that to be true because the Bible tells us and God determined it. That is our truth source. Who, then, should be consulted on determining when life begins? The same one to whom we go to determine when life ends – God. The Bible states that God wove us in our mother’s womb before our parents even knew there was life growing inside of the woman. Therefore anyone who aborts a baby is taking a life – it is clearly wrong. The important aspect of that discussion on a pro-life position is not the conclusion, but how you formed that position. It was based on a belief that my moral decisions better be tied to an absolute truth source – true truth. Not ideas, feelings, or opinions. Not assumptions on how the woman with an unwanted pregnancy is feeling; that is situational ethics and it does not support the value of personal responsibility. And so for all of us as believers we must take a candidate’s platform and run it through the “Bible Test.”
So when you hold to some basic but nodal convictions on core principles that make a healthy nation; you examine as best as you can a candidate’s character and those things that help us understand his moral compass; and when you run a candidate’s policies and platform through a lens of scriptural consistency, you will have wisdom to determine how to vote.
There is one more aspect of this journey to choosing a candidate, and it is probably the most important: you must pray. I would call us all to prayer. Pray for wisdom. Pray for our nation. Pray for God’s revealing light to shine on this process; pray for integrity in the voting; pray for our resolve to deal in righteousness and godliness whatever the outcome may be; and finally pray that we will realize that this is not our permanent home, but we long for a city, the City of God, where there will be a “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” and He will rule with a righteous hand over all the affairs of heaven and earth.
Prayerfully and respectfully,
Pastor Jamie