The Election is Here: How Should Christians Respond?

The 2024 presidential election. An event that most are tired of hearing about but none of us can seem to avoid. The dizzying events of the past few months have left an already politically beleaguered American public ready to be done with it all. Speaking as an engaged political citizen that finds genuine interest and concern in politics, I too feel the frustration and exhaustion that seems to inevitably follow American politics everywhere. However, I think it is just as important as ever for Christians to be civically engaged citizens. Though we recognize that this is not our eternal home, we are called to live honorably before those who do not believe as we do and to honor governing authorities (1 Peter 2). We would also do well to heed Jeremiah’s call to the exiles to “seek the welfare of the city” in which we find ourselves (Jeremiah 29:7). Whether you are a proud patriot, as many christians are, or a more sheepish member of our democracy, as followers of Christ we ought consider how we can represent our true Lord and King to the nation through political participation. To do so, we must consider a Christian political ethic—how Christians ought to engage in politics, particularly as voting members of society this November.?

As we begin this endeavor, it is worthwhile for us to pause, take a breath and consider two things. First, Christians need to acknowledge our collective responsibility and agency in the candidates we have supported. Donald Trump did not win the overwhelming majority of Christian voters by accident. Some may push back on this and say a lack of alternatives has forced our hand. I would counter that by suggesting we vote with our feet and not lip service. If Christians who choose to vote in the republican primaries had collectively mobilized and supported an alternative candidate, a real difference could have been made in our current election cycle. The same can be said of Christians who chose to vote in the democratic primary in the prior cycle. Though the rise of Harris came through an unlikely set of circumstances, our two candidates were not nominated in a vacuum devoid of Christian influence. As we well know, the republican candidate in particular is there in significant part due to the votes of Christian men and women in 2024.?

Second, and perhaps more importantly given our two alternatives, we need to acknowledge that God is good and God is Lord. This election does not take him by surprise. Reading in the book of Isaiah, I was reminded of the word of the Lord to the Israelites in exile under the rule of Cyrus. As Christians remember that we too are exiles, according to 1 Peter 2:11-12, awaiting the return of Christ and our true citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Back in Isaiah, the words of the LORD recorded in chapter 45 articulate how God has raised up Cyrus, a Babylonian ruler, a worshipper of other gods, a man with no reason to be sympathetic to Israel, as his chosen instrument to restore post exilic Jerusalem. The LORD calls Cyrus his anointed (v.1) and then goes on to make clear “I name you though you do not know me” (v.4). Cyrus doesn’t even know the LORD, and yet he was raised up by God to accomplish his purposes. The LORD then says “I form light and create darkness, I make wellbeing and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things” (v.7). As believers we can rest in the sovereignty of God. He will accomplish his purposes regardless of the election outcome, whether through the leadership of Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. And yet let us not forget why Israel was in exile, under the rule of leader who did not regard or fear the Lord, in the first place. The Israelites made poor decisions and had to deal with the consequences of those decisions. They had a responsibility to follow the Law and worship the LORD, and they continually shirked that responsibility.?

We too, as American citizens have a civic responsibility, and we should not take it lightly. As we consider our alternatives in this election cycle I suggest we frame our decision making by a few principles that shape a Christian political ethic:

1. Morality. Voters should assess the moral character of the candidate we vote for. Is the integrity and character of the candidate trustworthy? Will their morality cause them to make decisions that seek the good of the nation, our communities, and our neighbors? How will their morality influence their policy making decisions? Will they seek the interests of the nation above their own personal gain? ?
2. Policy. Voters should assess the policy goals of the candidate we vote for. Do we agree with the policy platform of the candidate and their party? Looking past the headlines, how do the nuts and bolts of the policy agendas of the candidates differ, and which will promote the welfare of the nation? Do the policy goals of the candidate reflect a biblical love of neighbor, justice, and the dignity of all people? Do their policies promote social and economic flourishing for our nation?
3. Divisiveness and Unity. As our politics has grown in its polarity, Voters should assess the style of leadership candidates will bring to the table. As Abraham Lincoln famously stated: “A house divided amongst itself cannot stand.” What is the political messaging of the candidate? Does it marginalize and ostracize those with different views? Is the candidate respectful or demeaning? Does their approach to politics reach out to the “exhausted majority” that stands in the middle on many issues? Does the candidate seek to unify opposing political factions? Does the candidate care for the flourishing of the nation, or solely members of his or her party??
4. Christian Witness. All Christians need not be unified in all of their votes in every election. We should however vote with integrity and the witness of Christianity and the church in mind.? Does the candidate harm the witness and testimony of believers and the church by their social and political activity? Does my vote hinder my witness to others? Does my vote reflect Christ’s love for every person, place, and race in our nation??

This list of general principles and questions is not exhaustive. Some may assign higher value to certain of these criterion than others. When considering a candidate, it will also likely yield conflicting results. A candidate may have upstanding character, but a policy platform that is disagreeable. Another candidate may be divisive and harmful to the testimony of Christ while suggesting a policy platform that we view favorably. Yet another may have middling character and policy views different from our own, yet with strong leadership founded upon unity and coalition building. As we conduct an honest assessment of all candidates, let us remember as believers our mandate to “look not only to our own interests, but also the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3). We certainly should consider how any candidate affects ourselves, our families, and our local communities. At the same time, this verse should cause us to ponder our position. It may mean that we consider candidates and policies that seek the welfare and flourishing of the nation rather than just our party of preference.

At the end of the day, regardless of who sits in the Oval Office in January of 2025, as Christians we remember that our ultimate hope is in Christ. As he has since even before Cyrus was king of Babylon, God will work in spite of whoever leads our country. We ought only to be faithful to steward our right to vote with conviction, trusting God with the final outcome.?