Before You Vote

David Platt, Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D. C., just came out with a new book:  Before You Vote:  Seven Questions Every Christian Should Ask. I just read (and re-read) this short book, and Platt’s questions are well worth the careful consideration of American Christians—and especially in this current cultural moment.  Let me mention a few highlights and key claims.

To put things in the right perspective, we’re reminded, “This world is not a democracy.  This world is a monarchy, and God is the King” (p. 16).  We are subject to the Maker and Master of all things.  And yet, at the same time, “God gave dominion—or entrusted authority—to humans who have a unique capacity to relate to him and to reflect his rule in the world” (p. 17).  As beings made in God’s image, we’re to oversee his world “in a way that aligns with his Word and accords with his character.”  That’s the big picture:  God is in charge, and we answer to him for all we do as stewards and caretakers of his world.

Drawing on Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17, Platt offers two “foundational statements”:  1) “Government is a God-ordained institution for the purpose of promoting good and restraining evil.”  2) “Followers of Jesus should be submissive citizens of government with ultimate allegiance to God” (pp. 21-22).

The commands to love God and neighbor (Mark 12:30-31) are pivotal for our involvement as Christ-followers here and now in our society:  “As followers of Jesus, God requires us to live with undivided love for him and unselfish love for all people around us.  Surely such a way of life affects how we participate in city, state, and national governance” (p. 23).  But this doesn’t translate neatly into a uniform pattern for Christian political action.  “… followers of Jesus will ‘steward their vote’ in different ways” (p. 27).

Platt stresses how only Christ should have our hearts.  Political zeal must not be allowed to gain first place in our lives.  “No worldly leader is worthy of our hearts.  No governmental authority or political party is worthy of our trust, allegiance, or hope” (p. 33).  King Jesus alone is sovereign, and “every president will one day bow at Jesus’s feet and confess him as Lord…. Therefore, we are not worried or panicked about elections, no matter how important they may seem.  For that matter, we don’t worry or panic about anything….  Presidents have come and gone.  Through it all, one King alone has remained constant, and he is not up for election” (p. 39).

Chapter 3 asks a penetrating question:  “What does my neighbor need?”  Here Platt helps us get past the standard voting motivation that gets so much attention (i.e., what’s in it for me, am I better off, what about my rights?) and ask a deeper question that mature Christian faith must consider:  “Whose good should I promote with my vote?” (p. 43).  In contrast to the ever-present attitude of obsessing over our own interests, “Jesus calls us to prioritize others’ needs” (p. 45).

So, how should neighbor-love inform our voting?  How should an awareness of the needs of the poor and oppressed, of orphans and widows, of sojourners (i.e., immigrants), and of all people groups on God’s earth factor into my voting decisions?  “When we cast our ballot, shouldn’t we consider both our children and others’ children? … So don’t sell your soul to a political party whose campaign slogans center on you.  Instead, vote in a way that demonstrates supreme love for God and selfless love for others” (p. 57).

Chapter 4 asks, “What is the Christian position?”  And here Platt helpfully distinguishes between some issues on which God’s Word speaks directly and clearly, and others where Scripture is not so clear or direct.  In Romans 13:7 Christians are taught to honor God by paying taxes—that’s clear.  But whether we should advocate for a progressive tax system or a flat tax, or some other taxing scheme—that’s not clear (p. 66).  And, of course, Christians will differ from one another on such policy-level possibilities.  So be careful—be slow—about claiming to have the Christian position on an issue, and be ready to listen to and respect fellow believers who land in somewhat different places.

In ch. 5 Platt notes two factors that Christians can use to weigh political options:  biblical clarity and practical consequences (and these two factors are prominent throughout the rest of the book, including in ch. 7, “So how do I vote?”).  Two different Christians may be in complete agreement about the biblical clarity of a topic (e.g., that abortion is an affront to God’s sovereign authority and intimate handiwork as Creator, not to mention an assault on weak and vulnerable children), but they may have different ideas as to the best ways to move toward the desired practical consequences (i.e., in this case, of respecting and protecting the unborn).  So we must be careful not to allow differences between believers over political process options to create division and disunity in the church.

The book winds up by offering a grid one can use to position numerous political issues of the day in terms of both biblical clarity and practical consequences.  Platt walks through how two different Christians might sort out a plethora of issues (such as domestic policy, economy, environment, foreign policy, healthcare, immigration, social issues, and personal character) and come to informed, thoughtful voting decisions accordingly.  Platt says, “And if your decision-making is different from [your] brothers and sisters, commit to loving them anyway, despite your disagreement.  Commit to unity around Christ” (p. 118).  And keep Proverbs 3:5-6 nearby—after all, “… God will faithfully lead his people when they fear and trust in him” (p. 119).