In our rapidly changing America, the role and influence of practicing Christians in society is a subject of great importance. Christians are called to share the good news of Jesus first and foremost and live out our lives representing Christ to those around us, hoping to positively influence those around us. One specific application of this influence is in the arena of politics, where voting provides an opportunity for Christians to express their values and effect change.
This article aims to shed light on the importance of Christian voting, backed by biblical principles, and presents practical ways that Christians can get involved immediately.
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St. Augustine’s “City of God” is Still Relevant for Today
“City of God” by St. Augustine is a fundamental work of Christian philosophy penned in the 5th century. In it, Augustine contrasts the “City of God,” symbolizing the spiritual realm inhabited by believers devoted to eternal truths, with the “City of Man,” which represents the secular world preoccupied with temporal affairs.
He suggests that the decline of Rome was due to its focus on the City of Man instead of the City of God. The book serves as a profound exploration of God’s nature, humanity’s purpose, and the history and future of the world, emphasizing the transient nature of earthly kingdoms and the eternal nature of God’s city.
One of Augustine’s crucial points was his assertion that while Christians should focus on the eternal City of God, they should not withdraw from society. Instead, Augustine believes that Christians have responsibilities within their earthly city and should actively participate in societal affairs. This includes obeying lawful authority, engaging in honest work, contributing to the welfare of their community, and promoting peace, justice, and love, while remaining guided by Christian virtues and the love of God.
And, this two cities mentality still applies to us today. In an era where the cultural and political landscape is rapidly devolving into one of secular humanism (that human beings are capable of being ethical and moral without religion or belief in a deity), the voice of Christians in the civic sphere is more critical than ever.
The Current State of Christian Civic Involvement
According to My Faith Votes, there are 90 million Christians in America who are eligible to vote, but as many as 40 million fail to vote in Presidential election cycles. And of those, 15 million are not even registered to vote.
Independent analysis by Ambassador Times estimates 31 million practicing Christians did not show up to vote in the 2022 general election. Moreover, an estimated 52 million non-practicing Christians did not turn out to vote.
So, stated another way, somewhere between 31 million and 83 million Christians, depending in how you define Christian, did not show up to vote in the 2022 general election.
These are staggering numbers if even remotely accurate and we believe are not aligned with biblical doctrine.
The Importance of Voting: A Biblical and Practical Perspective
The Biblical Mandate for Christian Voting
From a biblical perspective, Christians are called to be stewards of God’s creation, which includes society. One major ways to fulfill this stewardship is by participating in the democratic process.
In Romans 13:1, Paul writes,
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Romans 13:1-7 ESV
We as American Christians are indeed to respect the leaders, treating them as God’s appointed servants and ministers.
But and here a key point – in America we are also those governing authorities. As American citizens, we have a slice of governing this country. In the same way that a king would have complete or partial govening authority, we as
And therefore we as every day American citizens are as Paul says ministers of God through our voting. We are to participate in the governing process through voting in our cities, counties, and in nation.
Christian Influence in Society
Proverbs 29:2 also highlights the importance of righteous leadership: “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” Though it is an exceedingly unpopular view in much of secular society today, it is to a nation’s great benefit when a nation has Christian influence.
Wayne Grudem in his book, “Politics – According to the Bible” illustrates the historical impact of Christian political influence:
“Christian influence led to the abolition of evils such as abortion, infanticide, gladiatorial contests, human sacrifice, polygamy, the burning alive of widows, and slavery, as well as the granting of property rights, voting rights, and other protections to women.”
Wayne Grudem, Politics – According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture. Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Christians over the years have been the change agents for all sorts of societal woes and our modern era should be no different. Christians are called to be salt and light and one means to do this in through the political process.
Grudem goes on to say the following about voting:
“To be able to vote is to have a share of ruling power. Therefore all citizens who are old enough to vote have a responsibility before God to know what God expects of civil government and what kind of moral and legal standards he wants government to follow.”
Consider a Christian police officer. The police officer is a Christian first and foremost with ultimate allegiance to God, but also has a sworn duty to the citizens of that city to keep the peace, which involves using training, discretion, and wisdom in their role.
Similarly, American Christians simultaneously wear two hats. We wear the hat of being a Christian first and foremost with ultimate allegiance to God, while also wearing the hat of being responsible for a small slice of governing authority of our city, state, and country. In the American republic, Christians have vote to and the ability to influence and organize others in their voting. For Christians not to vote would be akin to a police officer being negligent in doing their job in keeping the peace.
Voting for the Christian is a way to express God’s values in our society to help shape society. This includes advocating for justice, caring for the poor and marginalized, and upholding the sanctity of life, among other issues. By casting their vote, Christians have the opportunity to elect leaders who will enact policies aligned with these principles.
A Case Study: William Wilberforce is a Role Model for Christians Today
William Wilberforce was a prominent British politician, philanthropist, and a dedicated advocate for social reform. Born in 1759 in Kingston upon Hull, England, he began his political career at a young age when he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull at just 21. Despite his early life being marked by hedonistic tendencies, a spiritual conversion in his late twenties drastically changed the course of his life. Wilberforce, deeply influenced by evangelical Christianity, dedicated his life to the service of humanity, advocating for issues such as education reform, prison reform, and the alleviation of conditions for the poor.
One of Wilberforce’s most significant contributions was his relentless campaign against the transatlantic slave trade. His devout Christian faith fueled his belief in the inherent dignity and equality of all individuals, leading him to perceive the slave trade as a gross violation of human rights and divine law. In 1787, he became the leading voice in Parliament for the abolitionist movement. Despite facing fierce opposition, Wilberforce’s unwavering commitment eventually led to the passage of the Slave Trade Act in 1807, which abolished the slave trade in the British Empire.
His efforts did not stop there; he continued to fight for the complete abolition of slavery until his death in 1833, just three days after hearing that the Abolition of Slavery Bill was guaranteed to pass in Parliament. His life stands as a testament to the profound impact a Christian conviction can have in the political sphere.
How Christians Can Get Involved Immediately
While voting is a crucial part of civic participation, there are several other ways Christians can get involved in the political process:
- Vote whenever possible: Prayerfully seek the scriptures and consider what the bible has to say about various political issues and vote whenever possible. Some issues are very clear and explicit in scripture, while others are less explicitly stated and require wisdom based on biblical principles. Be sure that you are registered to vote and then sign up for election reminders for your area and make a plan to vote.
- Educate Yourself: Understand the issues at hand, and learn about the political process. There are resources like Wayne Grudem’s book “Politics—According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture”, and online platforms like FRC’s “Biblical Principles for Political Engagement” which examines God’s Word and explores the divinely-instituted role of government2. These resources provide a biblical worldview on politics and can help Christians navigate the complex world of political issues3.
- Pray for Leaders: The Bible instructs us to pray for those in authority in 1 Timothy 2:1-2:
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” We should pray for wisdom, integrity, and guidance for our leaders, and for God’s will to be done in all things. - Join a Christian Civic Group: There are numerous Christian organizations that are actively involved in the political process. Joining one can provide a supportive community and resources for civic involvement.
- Volunteer in Community Outreach: Christians are called to serve their communities. Volunteering is a practical way to demonstrate love for neighbors and work towards societal betterment.
- Run for Office: For those who feel called, running for a political office is an impactful way to serve the community and promote Christian values at a higher level.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it appropriate for Christians to be involved in politics?
Yes, it is not only appropriate, but biblical for Christians to be involved in politics. The Bible instructs Christians to respect and participate in the governing processes of their societies. Christians are also called to be stewards of God’s creation, which includes the society they live in.
Why should Christians vote?
Voting is a practical way for Christians to express their values, influence societal norms, and elect leaders who uphold biblical principles. It allows Christians to advocate for justice, care for the poor and marginalized, and uphold the sanctity of life, among other issues.
What if I don’t like either candidate?
In such a scenario, it’s essential to remember that no candidate will perfectly align with our values or beliefs. Voting doesn’t mean endorsing every stance of a candidate, but choosing the person who we believe will best serve the common good, uphold justice, and protect human dignity. If you find yourself struggling to decide, pray for wisdom, seek counsel, and consider the potential outcomes of each candidate’s policies.
How can Christians get involved in politics?
Christians can get involved in politics by educating themselves about political issues, praying for leaders, joining Christian civic groups, volunteering in community outreach, and even running for political office.
Reference: Independent Analysis on the State of Christian Voting
A Statistical Overview of Christian Voting
According to the 2020 US Census, there were 258.3 million adults in the US.
According to Barna, 25% of adults are “practicing Christians” which they define as those who identify as Christian, agree strongly that faith is very important in their lives, and have attended church within the past month. 42% of adults are “Non-practicing Christians” who are self-identified Christians who do not qualify as practicing. Combined this is a total possible 67%, or 173 million professing Christians and Christian voters.
Breaking these numbers down, there are at 64 million practicing Christians who are active in their Christian faith and are eligible to vote. And then there’s another 108 million who are not active but still profess to be Christians.
So, there are between 64 to 108 million potential Christian voters in America, a massive voter block with the potential for tremendous political influence.
Estimated Number of Christians Who Did not Turnout to Vote in 2022
According to the Census.gov, 52.2% of citizen voting-age population participating turned out to vote in 2022, which means that 48% did not turn out to vote.
If we apply this 48% non-participating voters to the number practicing Christians, this is an estimated 30.8 million practicing Christians who did not turn out to vote. Now, perhaps practicing Christians overindex the nationwide average and vote more 52.2%. Let’s hope so.
The 31 million practicing Christians who are active in their Christian faith did not show up to vote in the general election is a travesty and – as I will show – is not aligned with biblical doctrine.
And, if we also look at Non-Practicing Christians, this is an estimated 52 million who did not turn out to vote – for a total maximum of 83 million professing “Christian” adults who did not show up to vote in the 2022 general election.