Your Role in the Elections

One of the most critical elections in the United States history will occur in just a few weeks.

This national election year provides an excellent opportunity for those Christian schools that teach from a solid biblical worldview to help students understand the issues America faces and how elections help shape its culture. Several vital issues include immigration, racial and ethnic diversity, the changing American family, crime and policing, reproductive issues, gender identity and sexual orientation, and religious values, to name a few.

Christian educators must educate their students on the role of Christians and politics. Students need to understand how the Bible addresses politics both directly and indirectly; for example,  Romans 13:1 and 1 Peter 2:13-14 say that all should follow the authority of government, as the authority of God institutes government authority.

An excellent resource for Christian schools is several articles sponsored by Gotquestions.org. These include: How should a Christian view politics? Does God expect Christians to vote? Should a Christian be patriotic? Should a Christian run for political office? Should a Christian be involved in protests? What does the Bible say about fake news?

Another great resource by Andrew Walker, The Nations Belong to God, presents a Christian guide for political engagement. It intends to “help Christians facing an election year, and in a time when there is a growing sense of fear, polarization, vitriol, and apathy about the current landscape of politics, it is also a guide to how life should be lived every other day besides a Tuesday in November every four years.” He continues, “Our political participation should not be boiled down to a vote cast on one day, important as that may be. Politics is about life in community with others, and those relationships exist even when candidates aren’t vying for our votes, donations, and attention.”

Decision Magazine says that the critical role of government in society is one reason Christians “should care about the political process. Government was God’s idea, and Christians should engage with it in a way that is consistent with its God-ordained purpose.”

Congress passed an amendment in 1954 to prohibit 501(c)(3) organizations, which includes charities and churches, from engaging in any political campaign activity. However, it did not prohibit these organizations from speaking for or against specific political issues, especially those contrary to Christian beliefs.

Private Christian school teachers are more free to speak out on political issues than public schools. For example, the state of New York requires public school teachers to be “politically neutral when performing duties.” Each Christian school needs to provide guidelines for its staff.

There are three actions we recommend for Christian educators. First, speak to your class about the issues involved in this year’s election. One of the critical issues is not whether one should vote for a Democrat or Republican (See, Should a Christian be a Republican or a Democrat?) but instead vote for leaders who will govern according to God’s principles.

Second, regardless of which party occupies the White House, the Bible commands us to respect and honor them (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). We do not have to agree with or even like them, but we have to honor and respect them.

Third, we should also pray for those who have authority over us (Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Politics will always be with us. We must remember that we are in this world, but are not to be of this world (1 John 2:15). We can be involved in politics, but we should not be obsessed with politics. “Ultimately, we are to be heavenly-minded, more concerned with the things of God than the things of this world (Colossians 3:1-2). As believers in Jesus Christ, we are all members of the same political party—monarchists who are waiting for their King to return (Revelation 19:11-16).” https://www.gotquestions.org/Republican-Democrat.html

Finally, Vote! We believe it is every Christian’s duty and responsibility to vote and cast their ballot for leaders who promote Christian principles and best represent our convictions on the key issues, such as those presented below.

Character and integrity: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn…The King by judgment establishes the land but he that receives gifts overthrows it…If a ruler listens to lies, all his servants are wicked” (Proverbs 29:2, 4, 12).

Sanctity of human life—abortion, stem cell research using human embryos: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).

Same-sex marriage or civil unions among same-sex couples: You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22).

Freedom for religious speech: “So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:18-20).

Racial equality: “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26). “…and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God” (Revelation 5:9-10).

Gender Identity: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.’” The biblical worldview regarding the fixed nature of sex entails there should be no compromise regarding male access to women’s sports (Genesis 1:27).

National Security: “And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night” (Nehemiah 4:8-9).

Taxation and government spending: “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards…we are forcing our sons and daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards” (Nehemiah 5:4-5).