Pastor's Page
Let Me Tell You How to Vote
It’s been a long time since we’ve had such a fascinating (and, albeit, interminably long) presidential election. I don’t want to tell you how or whom to vote for; each of us is responsible to discern that ourselves. But I do want to encourage us as Christians to consider some attitudes to bring into the voting booth.
1. Vote Gratefully. In spite of all the negative campaigning and gross manipulation of facts from both sides, it is a profound gift to be able to participate in choosing the leader (and leaders) of a country. Recently, at the traditional Alfred E. Smith Dinner, the presidential candidates—who were increasingly hostile towards each other in their campaign speeches—joined together and laughed at each other’s wonderful, self-deprecating humor. At that moment one realized what a unique and wonderful political system we are given.
As you vote, give thanks to God for his calling and blessing to us here. And pray for and support our brothers and sisters who suffer under military dictatorships and hostile regimes. We are given an incredible gift.
2. Vote Thought-fully. This election is increasingly polarized, even within the church. I have talked to people over the last months, some who say, “I can’t believe a Christian can vote Democratic,” and others who say, “I can’t believe a Christian can vote Republican.” National polls have indicated that evangelical Christians over 40 years old vote predominately Republican, and evangelical Christians under 40 years old vote predominately Democrat. Who is right?
Perhaps (and this will be difficult for some people to grasp) there is truth and righteousness on both sides, just as there is falsehood and wrong on both sides. Some brothers and sisters in Christ argue that Republicans hold up Christian values with respect to private morality (abortion and marriage, for example), while other brothers and sisters in Christ argue that Democrats hold up Christian values with respect to public morality (concern for the poor and suffering, and the environment, for example). Christians on both sides argue that the other is blind to huge aspects of Christian thought and values.
This requires us to vote thought-fully, realizing that neither party is the “Christian” party. For us, the values and visions of the Kingdom of God are far larger and more beautiful than we have heard any party promote in this election. We, then, must discern humbly and carefully our decisions.
3. Vote Prophetically. As Christians, we go into the voting booth not just to touch screens or punch chads; we go in to make prophetic statements about what we believe is truly good according to the vision of God’s kingdom for us in this nation. The biblical prophets took the will of God and cried it out to the people or directly addressed it to the king. In a small but significant way, we do that in voting: we say to the city, state and nation: “This is right and beautiful. Let us go in this way and goodness will follow.”
Perhaps the clearest opportunity to do this is in voting for Proposition 8 which proposes a state constitutional amendment providing “that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” For the Christian to vote “Yes” on this proposal is to prophetically offer the historic position of God’s people about the meaning of marriage. (For some fine materials to reflect on here visit www.TheTruthAboutMarriage.org.) At the same time, consider how we as a congregation can extend the grace and love of Christ to those who oppose this measure and its vision, for we are people of Christ’s truth and grace.
4. Vote Comedically. Finally, while the political system takes all this with profound seriousness—some people declaring the end of the American way of life if Obama gets in, and others proclaiming the escalation of war after war if McCain is elected—the Christian laughs a little at the hubris of the American political system. As much as we like to exalt ourselves, we are not in charge of this world.
In Psalm 2, as the nations exalt themselves as the lords of the world’s destiny, the psalmist professes, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs.” I suspect God does this a lot these days about all of us. So, as you rightly take great care to participate in this election, also join God in laughing a bit at the system which is in God’s hands, not its own.
God bless and lead you as you vote. And God bless and lead us, his unique people, to be faithful in this particular nation where God has placed us. Whoever is elected, whatever party rules, we are under the good and true rule of Christ the King. We, of all people, must know and live this well.
—Pastor Mark Vermaire
last updated 10.31.2008 | © 2006 Crossroads CRC | hosted by ipowerweb