It seems too soon for another federal election, and yet tomorrow, voters across Canada will select our fourth government in the past 10 years. I’ve had a call from one candidate’s office, and a representative from another stop by, and enough political literature show up in my mailbox to kindle a fire. What should a Christian do when it comes to an election? Is it voting OK for a Christian or is it wrong? What does the Bible reveal?
Political Systems
As you read the Bible, you will not find democracies as we have in North America. That is not to suggest that democracy is something new or foreign to the people of antiquity. The Bible is not a political science textbook. The most common form of government found in the Bible is monarchy, but it is not alone. Other forms of government which can be found in the Bible include theocracy, patriarchal, judicial, councils, matriarchy, a puppet state, aristocracy, and perhaps others. There is no mention of a democracy in the bible, but secular history indicates that there were nations in antiquity with democratic systems.
All that said, the type of government a society has doesn’t matter. The Bible does not promote one type of government above another, but simply reveals that God has ordained government. The apostle Paul wrote:
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (Romans 13:1)
Whatever authority exists, a Monarchy, Dictatorship, Chiefdom, Socialist state, or Gerontocracy – take your pick. The structure of the government does not matter; they’re generically authorized by God.
Involved In Government
Can a Christian participate in government? If the authority is from God, and is generically appointed by God, on what basis can we say that Christians cannot be part of that authority?
Cornelius was a centurion in the Italian Regiment (Acts 10:1). There is no indication that Cornelius had to leave his job to be a Christian. In Acts 16, we meet a Roman jailer in Philippi. Again, he was not required to give up his job in order to be a Christian. In writing to the church at Philippi, Paul mentioned “those who are of Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22). It sounds like some of the Caesar’s family had obeyed the gospel. They did not renounce their connection to Caesar – they may have had responsibilities in his administration. There is no indication that such would be wrong.
If Christians can hold a job in the government, and the authority of government is from God, on what basis should we conclude that it is wrong for a Christian to have a say in who serves in that government, if given the opportunity to choose? Democracy gives us the opportunity to select who will govern our nation. We should use that opportunity to its fullest.
The Christian’s Vote
So, how should a Christian vote? It is not my place to tell people what candidate they should support. Each person must come to that decision themselves. However, I do believe there are some considerations that are important when making such a decision.
Friend, don’t be drawn in by great swelling words (2 Peter 2:18). Don’t let a charming personality cloud your judgment. The most common appeals (bait) laid before the voting populace at election time are promises to help your wallet or services to make your life easier. In the eternal perspective, a few extra nurses working at the local hospital will not make a difference.
When you cast your vote, let it be based on morality. It is important to know what the leader of a party and the local candidate believe about moral issues – topics like abortion, drug abuse, religious freedom, same-sex marriage, etc.. Can you in good conscience give support to a candidate or party that will do contrary to the will of God?
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