A Christian Case For Voting

Last updated on: November 6, 2018 at 8:11 am by Zack Hunt

A Christian Case For Voting 2018-11-06T08:11:11-06:00 Zack Hunt

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I shared most of these thoughts yesterday on Twitter on on my Facebook Page, so sorry not sorry if you’re already read them.

But I wanted to share them again in case any of my fellow Christians out there are either still sitting on the fence today about whether they’ll get out and vote or they’re theologically opposed to voting because of, admittedly valid, concerns about being complicit in the evil deeds of the empire when it is the Church’s job to bring heaven to earth, not sanctify the empire as the earthly kingdom of God.

I get that.

The complicity concerns, not the fence sitting.

Not this election.

But I do get the concern about being faithful to the way of Jesus in all things, I really do.

And I get that the early Church intentionally went out of its way to offer an alternative kingdom rather than sanctify the politics of the empire.

I get all of that.

I really do.

But I worry that in either our complacency or in our conscientious objection we miss an important and powerful opportunity to love our neighbors.

The early Church simply didn’t have the option of voting.

Yes, they sought to establish an alternative kingdom and often times that meant resisting participation in the affairs of the empire through acts of Christlike resistance, but if they had had the option to vote & believed their vote could be an act of Christlike resistance that helped the least of these whom Jesus commanded them to care for any in way they could, I’m fully convinced they would’ve voted.

Of course there are countless ways we can love and serve our neighbors that have nothing to do with election day and no, we shouldn’t leave loving and serving our neighbors up to the government. But the simple reality of life in the United States in the 21st century is that for all the good we can and should do in our private lives, the government has the resources, finances, and legal authority to make structural changes that no private individual or organization can.

Structural changes that can have a profound impact on the lives of the least, the lost, and the dying.

Structural changes that can end or at the very least can scale back the structural evils that plague our world; evils which we are often complicit in whether we realize it or not.

They’re structural changes that we can help bring about through out vote.

It’s not an either/or proposition between government reform and private effort.

It’s both/and.

Which is if why you’re a follower of Jesus and haven’t voted in the past because you don’t consider doing so to be relevant to Christian discipleship, I would urge you to reconsider this year and remember the least of these who will continue to be harmed by the empire if we don’t act.

Not to vote is to vote.

Our vote won’t usher in the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven, but our vote can be a way of caring for the least of these in a powerful way that we could never achieve on our own.

So, please, if you haven’t already, make sure you get out and vote today.

We won’t be electing Jesus into office, but we can use this election to be Jesus to our neighbors by supporting politicians and policies that care for the least of these instead of treating them as a threat.

So, please, vote today.

Not because you’re life depends on it, but because your neighbor’s life very well may.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

November 1, 2018

I've Got Lots Of Exciting Book News To Share!!!

Next Post

December 19, 2018 In Defense Of Santa Claus

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Review Classifieds Commentary Fundie Friday Funny Pictures Music Video News Prophecy Technology Televangelist Throwback Thursday Tract Tuesday Tracts Uncategorized Videos

Select a Month June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 June 2018 May 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 September 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz