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The 2024 Presidential election is just one week away; and here is our “roundup” episode on the election, voting, and Christian citizenship after the election is decided. This includes a review of Biblical principles concerning voting; a brief moral and practical analysis of the various positions I have heard over the last few months (and a reminder to vote your conscience); and an encouragement to be the centered (in Christ), courageous, and compassionate citizen in your sphere of influence before and after the election.
Moses’ father-in-law, named Jethro, encouraged Moses to consider four criteria as he selected civic leaders. And his list of qualifications–what I have termed “Jethro’s Voting Guide”–can assist us in the complicated moral exercise of voting for civic officials in the United States.
Four qualifications for government officials according to Exodus 18:21:
- Competence
- Morality
- Honesty
- Financial Integrity
Questions we address:
- Should Christians engage in the two-party system?
- Do all Christians vote the same way? Can a person be a Christian and vote for the party you oppose?
- What about voting third party or not voting at all?
- What is the most pressing moral issue in public life?
- How should pastors address election season?
- What about voter guides?
- What happens if the election is undecided for days or even weeks?
Resources mentioned in the episode:
- Church Resource Toolkit
- ivoterguide.com
- https://www.transparencyusa.org/
- Link to graph showing political engagement by denomination or network.
- Link to full blog post.
