I am trying to be very careful not to get too involved in all the US politics thing. I am not an American citizen so I ought not try and influence voting intentions ‘over the pond’ at all. I have tried not to be too partisan in this blog. There is one thing I do feel qualified to comment on though. That is, I really feel strongly that American Christians really ought to go out and vote and be part of the process.
I was really surprised by this comment on my post Where are all the Evangelical Democrats?–
I am amongst the number of Christians who has never voted because I’ve considered myself a citizen of the next world – just passing through here. A visitor. Of course, I enjoy all the benefits of US citizenship, so perhaps that is a naive position to take on voting. But I do essentially affirm what the bible says regarding civil govenments – that no power exists except that established by God. So whether we have a good administration or a bad one, in the end, God’s purposes and His glory will be served.
I think Christians have a responsibility to vote in their country’s elections, just as do all citizens. Of course God will over-rule the vote, but to use that as an excuse for not voting is as bad as not telling anyone the gospel because God is sovereign. It was William Carey who was told “if God wants to save India he can do it without you”.
Fortunately Carey recognised that for the bad theology it is. Not voting reflects similarly bad theology. We are to obey the laws of the land, and whilst it is not illegal to refuse to vote, the system would break down if everyone took the same view. We are meant to be in the world but not of it. The same God who ordains an action ordains the means for that action. So, Chrisitans should vote as part of their service to God. It is not for me to tell them who to vote for, however.
Remember all that is needful for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing. (Edmund Burke)
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