How should we as Christians view the political process? This is, and has been, a very difficult concept for Evangelical Christians for quite some time. I think that our difficulty with these issues is grounded in the fact that we so often follow the philosophies of the world around us rather than looking to scripture.
On one extreme side we see many Evangelicals putting their faith in the Republican Party, citing areas of agreement with general Christian thought in certain areas. These folks quite often view anyone who votes Democrat as a non-believer (infidel).
On the other extreme side we have folks like one member of my family who wrote in an email to me yesterday:
We keep reading up on presidential election stuff. One good article (from Singapore) pointed out that the US president so thoroughly affects the whole world that the world should get to vote. It's not fair that only Americans vote (since that's thoroughly UN-democratic!) Interesting thought- and hey, it's accurate. The world is naturally concerned.
Both of those extreme views are not even close to what we find in scripture about governments and authorities and our responsibilities regarding those institutions. For those who see conservatism as their savior, we must not look to civil governments in that way. We should be involved in the political process. We should vote. We should use our vote to encourage biblical thought in moral and civil arenas. But when we begin to look at a particular political party as the equivalent of "the Church," we have made a grave error. We should not pledge our allegiance to a political party.
—Supreme Court Justice John Jay
(1745–1829)
On the other hand, we live in a nation that God has blessed with a form of government that is somewhat unique in history. We have the right as citizens of this nation to vote and to volunteer for involvement in our local, state, and federal politics. These rights are granted to us by a democratic republic—the United States of America. Our government, our constitution, and our civil rights are not extended beyond our sovereign borders. This describes the concept of democracy. The antithesis of democracy would be letting people who are outside the sovereign control of our nation to vote in our elections. It is completely fair and it is right. The mere suggestion that those outside the pervue of the United States should be allowed the right to vote in our presidential elections should be repulsive to the core—not only to United States citizens, but to anyone who loves democracy, republicanism, and who sees national patriotism (for whatever country) as a virtue.
The answer to both of these wrong-headed concepts is scripture. As the following verses show, we are to submit to our authorities because they are placed there by God. So conservative Christians should get involved in our election process and should pray that the resultant leader will honor God and protect the nation. And he should obey and respect those authorities once God has established them. And those Christians outside our nation's borders should pray for the United States elections. God determines the governments of men. God guides the hearts of those governments. Prayer allows non-US citizens to be involved in our political process. Non-Christians do not have a say and should not have a say in United States politics. Imperialistic ideas are not attractive whether your nation is large and strong or small in insignificant. The best way for these folks to have an impact on the US elections is to turn to Christ, repent of their sins, join the family of God, and then pray that God will place the right leader in the White House.
I'll be voting in the primaries one week from today because as a US citizen I have the right to be involved in our elections. I am going to exercise that right. I will be voting for someone who wants to maintain the purity of our election process. May God place the best leader for this moment in our nation's history in the White House.
Romans 13:1-7 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Titus 3:1-2 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
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