Voting in Government Elections

Hi, all! Caleb suggested this idea for a thread. Is it right to vote in government elections, or to participate in the government in any capacity? Why or why not? I think this has the makings of a very interesting discussion.

Thanks Jimmy.

The question is, If God sets up the leaders of governments like He says in Daniel 4, why should we bother voting for someone if God is already going to set the person He wants up?

If you do vote here are two questions,

Are you at all responsible/accountable for the president's decisions once he is in office?

What happens if the person you vote for doesn't get elected?

Is God completely sovereign? I would say yes, though some may disagree (in which case that is the direction this forum will likely turn). Does God use people, humans like you and I, as instruments of his will on this earth? I think it would be hard for anyone to biblically argue that he does not. Therefore, it seems reasonable to me that God may use the votes of Christians (and non-Christians, of course) to put into office those people whom he has decided to place in positions of leadership.

Could God still put that same person in office, even if all Christians refused to vote? I suppose so, but what is the point of not voting? Is it desirable for us to avoid any connection with government? Why would it be so? If there was a government that was decidedly Christian and agreed theologically with yourself perfectly, would you support it? I would guess so. Why then would we shrink from contact with a government that is not in line with our beliefs, if we have the power to change it, even if it be by a single vote?

(I have to admit, however, that I have yet to vote in a single public election. I just didn't spend the time to look into the different candidates and decide which one to support.)

If you vote for someone and they don't get elected, that is no different than if you pray for something and God doesn't give it. We need to have the "not my will, but Yours be done" mindset.

If you vote for someone and they don't get elected, that is no different than if you pray for something and God doesn't give it. We need to have the "not my will, but Yours be done" mindset.

Agreed.

I would like to make some points about leaders.

1. God set's up a leader. "This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." Daniel 4:17 God gives the leader their position. If God is going to set up the basest leader, and we vote for the bestest leader, are we voting against God?

"For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth." Romans 9:17

1. God is the one who gives power to a leader. (not the people) "Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin." John 19:10-11 God gives a leader their power.

2. A leaders heart is in God's hand. "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Proverbs 21:1

"For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth." Romans 9:17

One final thought, in 2008 some people had trouble voting because the candidates were both pro-choice, what happens if none of the candidates are biblical? Is it right to choose the lesser of two evils? Or should we vote at all? Some say that 1 cor. 10:13 would mean that we are never in a position to chose between two evils. What are you thoughts?

I would say Yes Defiantly Vote. When it comes to a choice between two candidates who are sinners and make bad choices (at least part of the time) that covers all candidates, so, you must choose the one which seems most likely to do what's right in office (probably indicated by past conduct). If you don't vote, you could very well be denying the opportunity for God to work through your actions. Usually I think this will have been from lazzitude.

On your first point - well, I suppose you could call it that, but I don't necessarily see that as wrong. I would tend to think of it similar to praying, let's take healing for instance. If I pray for someone to be healed, and they are not, am I 'praying against God'? If that is something that must be avoided, then we would be hard pray/vote for anything at all, since we don't know what God has planned.

On your final thought - no candidate is, or ever will be, perfect. Even there was, my imperfections would make me perceive him as imperfect. If we decide that we should not vote for either of the candidates because they both disagree with my (biblical) position, then by the same reasoning it would seem that we should not vote at all, since every candidate, even a strong Christian, will have theological differences with the majority of voters, thus constantly creating a 'lesser of two evils' dilemma.

One final thought, in 2008 some people had trouble voting because the candidates were both pro-choice, what happens if none of the candidates are biblical? Is it right to choose the lesser of two evils? Or should we vote at all? Some say that 1 cor. 10:13 would mean that we are never in a position to chose between two evils. What are you thoughts?

We can never have a perfect candidate (as was mentioned by others before). But, I believe that you cannot vote for a candidate that you have strong disagreements with. Such as in your example in 2008, both Republican and Democrat candidates were for abortion, one to a lesser extent, and one to a greater extent. If you vote for one of those candidates, then you are supporting and joining in the wrongdoing of the one, since you are supporting him and thus his views, even if it is hopefully to prevent a greater wrongdoing by the other.

So would you agree with the statement?
"If you vote for someone you a supporting them and their ideals."

I wouldn't; I would say that to vote for someone would be to say that you believe they are the best choice (of the set of candidates) for the position.

So would you agree with the statement? "If you vote for someone you a supporting them and their ideals."

Yes I would. At least you are supporting what they are stating, and what you can find out about them, since you cannot always tell what they actually will do once elected.

Exodus 18:21: Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

So since I believe that voting is still permissible, then this would still apply, so we are to vote for Christians that practice what the Bible commands in their governmental positions.

Jimmy, I went to a debate the other day featuring a graduate from Patrick Henry Collage! :P

Wow! Really? That is awesome! Do you happen to know the name of the person? :)

aaahh no I don't… : / He was awesome though. He's like a leader for the thing that endorses The Convention of States.