How Would Jesus Vote?
Posted: Friday, October 31, 2008
by Dave Dozier
In a few days Christians all over America will do their civic duty and vote. Hopefully, they have all prayed about their decisions before they enter the booth. Almost certainly, most will believe that they are voting the way that Jesus would vote..
But many Christians will cancel out each other's vote. In fact, while we hate to admit it (and perhaps we don't admit it) most of us vote more in accordance with our cultural and class status than we do out of Biblical or spiritual convictions.
The following are some "political" principles that the Bible teaches:
Protecting the poor - Business owners (farmers) in the days of the Old Testament were told to cultivate their entire fields, yet were not allowed to glean from the corners of those fields. Neither were they allowed to glean a second time. The corners of the fields and the crop that matured after the first harvest were to be left for the "widow and the orphan". This should give those of us who champion "free enterprise" something to think about. The apostle James says that "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (James 1:27)
Financial responsibility of the individual If a man does not work, neither let him eat", says Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:10. Many a politician relies on votes from people who have been kept in bondage to government hand-out for generations.
Leniency for debtors - The Old Testament law built in safeguards for people who got in over their heads in debt. Levi, the debtor, could sell himself and his family to Samuel, who would then forgive Levi's debt. However, Samuel had to release Levi after seven years of service, regardless of how much debt was forgiven. And, once every fifty years, the year of Jubilee, all debts were forgiven, and all lands went back to the families that originally owned those lands. This principle would make some good folks lose their religion! See Leviticus 25 and Deuteronomy 15.
The sanctity of human life- God is the giver of life, and is the only One who has the right to take it. Unborn children were considered human life in the Bible. David declares "Thou did weave me in my mother's womb"(Ps. 139:13). Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit filled the unborn John the Baptist (Luke 1:15), and that the unborn John "leaped in his mother's womb" when Mary and the unborn Jesus came near (Luke 1:41-44) No mention of a fetus here.
This subject does become a little less clear with the question of capital punishment. The Old Testament clearly instituted capital punishment for specific crimes, once the accused had been given his "due process" in front of a judge. Before someone was executed for a crime, at least two eye-witnesses had to testify against the accused in order to convict him. When we get to the New Testament, however, we are not given sanction for handing out justice like this. Jesus, in the beatitudes (Matthew chapters 5-7 and the second half of Luke 6), emphasizes forgiveness and turning the other cheek. Paul tells us to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:18-21) . However, the apostle Paul does tell the Christians in Rome that the government is God's instrument for good, and that the rulers do not bear the sword in vain". (Romans 13:1-7) Is Paul saying that punishment (including capital punishment) is sanctioned by God when it is carried out by the government? Some would say so. And remember, the government that Paul was alluding to was the pagan, corrupt, man-centered Roman government, which would later execute Paul himself!
Sexual Morality- No matter how you slice it, the Bible endorses heterosexual marriage as the only sanctioned arena for sexual activity. As recently as 1976 Jimmy Carter told his staff that if any of them were "living in sin" (living together while not married), to cease and desist from doing so. A generation later, another southern-born and bred president seemed to have forgotten such basic moral principles.
Accountability of leaders to God and to the people that they lead -God holds leaders responsible for the actions of those whom they lead. Through the prophet Jeremiah God blames and condemns the leaders (shepherds) of Israel and Judah for bringing the people away from righteousness and into sinful behavior (Jeremiah 12:10; 23:2; 50:6). Jesus blasts the religious leaders of His time for leading the people astray, and tells some parables that make it clear that their mishandling of responsibility will result in their losing their positions (Matthew 21:33-45, especially vs46-45)
Political and religious leadership are a sacred duty for those who are called to carry it out. Scriptures do not portray leadership as a means of becoming wealthy or of building a fat retirement fund. Rather, leadership in government is a grave responsibility, and should be looked upon as a sacrifice, rather than a career. John F. Kennedy quoted from a number of our country's earliest leaders on this point. We do not have the time for career-making politicians in either party. Term limits, anyone?
Respect for leaders from the people that they lead -Today we hear talking heads of every political flavor lampooning, deriding, and slandering politicians. Worse still, we see them attack the family members of the politicians as well. Paul, in Romans 13:1-7, makes it clear that this sort of behavior is contrary to the will of God. Speaking of the corrupt, pagan, anti-Christian government of Rome , Paul says "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves "(Romans 13:1 & 2). Enough with the sarcasm, slander, and sick jokes! We Christians need to lead the way in speaking respectfully and lovingly about our political opponents and their followers.
The use of force by government - When I read the Sermon on the Mount I tend to lean toward pacifism. Yet Paul says that God has ordained governments and placed them over us, and that they do not bear the sword (gun) in vain. It appears that God does ordain force to be used by government. I am sure that the innocent victims of despots and common criminals will say "amen" to that.
The responsibility of government to create and keep peace and promote public welfare Paul tells us that we are to pray for our governmental leaders so that "so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-5). Government is ordained by God, and Christian citizens are to submit to it. The purpose for this is not to make government the means to the end. Rather, government exists to give the citizens a safe, secure lifestyle, in which all people can lead a "tranquil and quiet life). the Declaration of Independence alludes to this with the words " the pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".
Left unchallenged, however, government can develop a paradigm in which citizens exist to serve government. Wrong!
Stewardship -Everything belongs to God. He just allows us to use it for awhile. And (surprise surprise) He cares about how we use the things that He owns and has put under our influence. The Bible speaks about fiscal responsibility (read Proverbs), as well as caring for animals and plants (Deuteronomy 20:19 and 22:6). Our country accounts for 23% of the world's energy consumption, while representing only 5% of the world's population. This is not a Democrat or Republican problem; it is a national, grassroots problem. It is, I believe, a national disgrace.
Handing Out Justice for All - Like the song says, "You say all men are equal, all men are brothers. Then why are the rich more equal than others?" (Larry Norman) The Bible is very clear that rulers are to judge with equity, not showing favoritism to either party in a dispute. You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly. There are numerous verses that speak against taking bribes. Lobbyists, beware! ( Leviticus 19:15 ).
So there you have it. Ten topics that the Bible speaks on. Balancing them is no easy task. I cannot think of one politician or political party whose polices and practices agree with the Bible on these important subjects. I will vote next week. I think that I will vote the way that Jesus would. But I will still have to hold my nose as I cast my ballot, and pray for God's grace to be poured out on our beloved country.
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