I’m sometimes asked by close family and friends to vote despite my stance against involvement in political or military affairs. While I admit that I’m somewhat dogmatic on those teachings (especially non-lethal violence), I have tried over the years not to be dogmatic when it comes to voting. After all, I used to vote myself not so long ago. So I’ve gone back and forth on the issue. But something odd happens whenever the issue does come up: The dogma starts to live louder within me (to borrow a phrase).
So let me briefly address one of the arguments I hear from other Christians that say voting is consistent with the teachings of Jesus.
Many Christians are taught that when Jesus says, “Render to Caesar” (in reference to paying your taxes in Matt 22:15-22) he was also somehow implicitly ordering Christians to meet other duties to your government. So in order to become a “good citizen,” the argument goes, the Christian must not only vote but also serve in politics and/or the military. Now this interpreation was not known to the earliest Christians because they saw participation in politics and especially the military as a clear violation of the commandment to love your enemy. Or at the very least as “serving two masters.”
As a matter of fact, the historical records (primarily from the early Church Councils) detail punishments meted out by churches on members who chose to go back to their former professions. They included banishment from all fellowship and for those who repented and wanted to return to the church, up to 10 years of doing what we would call today penance.
As for those who remained steadfast to their non-participant beliefs, the threat of another punishment hung over their heads, that from the State. Millions are believed to have perished in the coliseums, fed alive to wild beasts, others were crucified and still others burned alive for neglecting said government “duties.” But, alas, slowly but surely this Christian opposition faded when the State (starting with Constantine) declared itself Christian!
So today, you’ll find most pastors and scholars (like the noted Evangelical Wayne Grudem) not just teaching Christians to vote but obligating them “to vote for candidates and policies that are most consistent with biblical principles.”
Now, I would actually agree with Dr. Grudem but first you should ask exactly what candidates and what policies are we talking about here? For example, what candidate beliefs or lives a life “consistent with biblical principles“? The fact is the “policies” your average politician, soldier or even judge must adhere to are not the policies of Christ. Because what they follow are policies based on “the rule of law,” which in this country means the US Constitution.
They must also obey whatever other policies are passed by their US Congress. For example, like all those recent laws normalizing homosexuality and other conduct most Christians would see as aberrant. So to argue that “Render unto Caesar” also means voting for the Caesar, would be comparing apples and oranges or like saying that 1 really means 3!
The fact is all Jesus requires us to do is to pay our taxes, period. As Paul later explains in Rom 13, the Christian must pay everyone what is owed to them. Again, it’s wrong to conflate that Christian principle with voting, serving in politics or the military.
And one last thing…..Christians are often guilt trip by other Christians by using the old…..
Well, we must choose the lesser of two evils…..RIGHT?!
In other words, what they’re really telling you is: I vote for the lesser of two evils. And so should you!
But the core words in that statement are: “I vote for evil”! And the Bible, as we know, repeatedly warns us to “Stay away from every form of evil.”
So dear readers, in every election year, may I humbly offer the following food for thought: In EVERY election [BAR NONE] Christians invariably vote against other Christians!
[Similarly, in times of war you have Christians killing Christians!]
A No Vote for the kingdoms of this world, i.e., their kings and lords means
A Yes Vote for the coming Kingdom of God and the king of kings and lord of lords!
May God grant us the wisdom to discover right. The will to choose it. And the strength to make it endure.
