Pastor’s Corner

Fall Has Arrived!

Fall has arrived! And with it I frerquently get asked this question: “Is it right for an Adventist/ Christian to vote?”; or another: “Should we belong to political parties?” Those are questions that get asked, or thought about, frequently when election times come around.

If you keep up with the news you’ve certainly noticed it is election year, and the US presidential election is not far away. Sadly, with each passing election, it seems that elections, at any level of government, are becoming more of choosing between the “lesser of two evils” instead of the “best of good choices”. I see this as a simple reflection of Scripture’s prophecies pointing us to the nearness of the end of time. Christians sometimes wonder if they should vote in elections or be part of a political party system?  There is inspired counsel that helps answer/guide us in these questions.

I believe the Bible gives answers to all our questions; some directly and others indirectly through its timeless principles. Romans 13 teaches us the Biblical standard for citizenship. Paul counseled believers to be loyal citizens to the authorities above them even when, at that time, they were living under the tight control of a corrupt oppressive government – imperial Rome. And while we definitely live under a different system of government today than Paul did, the Bible’s principles still apply to us today, and in any/every day.

Jesus was asked to give His counsel concerning men’s involvement in government affairs (Matthew 22:17-21), His response teaches that His followers have dual citizenship, and citizenship responsibilities, in both our earthly home and to our earthly governments, as well as in our heavenly home and to the government of God. Jesus’ ministry and preaching on earth also demonstrated another principle: God should always be our priority! The Christian can give to Caesar  (the ruling government/authority) what belongs to him, and can give to God what belongs to Him, while still serving only one master – God.

How can we impact our community for good, or our church, if we are not involved? Every citizen has the opportunity to be involved with policy making by exercising their right to vote. Whether as Christians or citizens of these respective governments, we frequently take our privileges and responsibilities for granted. Do you actively participate in church business meetings or church functions? Do you actively participate in your local town hall meetings and elections? It’s difficult to be a good citizen without actually being involved as one. I read that only 61% bothered to vote in the 2016 USA presidential election. It is not reasonable to say “don’t blame me, I didn’t vote” and still be a supportive citizen. It is not reasonable to complain about the conditions of our church or land if we didn’t bother to vote and let our voice be heard?

It is important to remember that while Christians should be active citizens, spreading the eternal gospel is our mission, not social or political activism. This present world is not our final home.

So when we chose to be active citizens, what guidelines should we use in voting? In applying Bible principles to my own life (such as in the texts previously mentioned, 2 Corinthians 6:14,15, and other inspired counsel), I’ve chosen not to be involved in particular political parties. Politically, I am an “independent”. Though still “in the world”, we have been called out of it so we can be distinctly Christ’s. Political parties aren’t pursuing the same mission objectives as the Gospel message calls me (us) to pursue. They aren’t pursuing the same goals as the church/Christian movement I belong to, and that I seek to pursue.

What I feel is important is to look at issues to consider their impact on people, our country, this world, and my church and its mission mandate. I look at individuals running for office to see where they stand on these issues. Casting an informed and intelligent vote takes some time and effort. We need to consider how respective policies impacting our communities mesh with our understanding of truth and with our mission in taking the gospel to the whole world. We need to consider how others in this world are impacted as well.

Though we may need to ask hard questions in determining voting preference, we can also profit from this inspired counsel from the writings of Mrs. White:

“In our favored land, every voter has some voice in determining what laws shall control the nation. Should not that influence and that vote be cast on the side of temperance and virtue?” (Te 253.3)

“We are not to compromise principle by yielding to the opinions and prejudices which we may have encouraged before we united with God’s commandment-keeping people. We have enlisted in the army of the Lord . . . Those who are Christians indeed will be branches of the true vine, and will bear the same fruit as the vine. They will act in harmony, in Christian fellowship. They will not wear political badges, but the badge of Christ.”  (GW 392.1)      “The Lord would have His people bury political questions. On these themes silence is eloquence. Christ calls upon His followers to come into unity on the pure gospel principles which are plainly revealed in the word of God. We cannot with safety vote for political parties; for we do not know whom we are voting for. We cannot with safety take part in any political scheme. We cannot labor to please men who will use their influence to repress religious liberty, and to set in operation oppressive measures to lead or compel their fellow-men to keep Sunday as the Sabbath.” (GW 391.2)   “It is a mistake for you to link your interests with any political party, to cast your vote with them or for them. Those who stand as educators, as ministers, as laborers together with God in any line, have no battles to fight in the political world. Their citizenship is in heaven. The Lord calls upon them to stand as a separate and peculiar people. He would have no schisms in the body of believers. His people are to possess the elements of reconciliation.  (GW 393.2)

“My brethren, will you not remember that none of you have any burden laid upon you by the Lord to publish your political preferences in our papers, or to speak of them in the congregation, when the people assemble to hear the Word of the Lord. . . . We are not as a people to become mixed up with political questions. All would do well to take heed to the Word of God, Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers in political strife, nor bind with them in their attachments. There is no safe ground in which they can stand and work together. The loyal and the disloyal have no equal ground on which to meet. . . . Keep your voting to yourself. Do not feel it your duty to urge everyone to do as you do.–Letter 4, 1898.  (2SM 336.2 – 337.1)

1859. G. White diary, Sunday, March 6, 1859.   “Attended meeting in the eve. Had quite a free, interesting meeting. After it was time to close, the subject of voting was considered and dwelt upon. James first talked, then Brother {J. N.} Andrews talked, and it was thought by them best to give their influence in favor of right and against wrong. They think it right to vote in favor of temperance men being in office in our city instead of by their silence running the risk of having intemperate men put in office. Brother {David} Hewitt tells his experience of a few days {since} and is settled that {it} is right to cast his vote. Brother {Josiah} Hart talks well. Brother {Henry} Lyon opposes. No others object to voting, but Brother {J.P.} Kellogg begins to feel that it is right. Pleasant feelings exist among all the brethren. O that they may all act in the fear of God.  (2SM 337.2)     Men of intemperance have been in the office today in a flattering manner expressing their approbation of the course of the Sabbath keepers not voting and expressed hopes that they will stick to their course and, like the Quakers, not cast their vote. Satan and his evil angels are busy at this time, and he has workers upon the earth. May Satan be disappointed, is my prayer.  (2SM 337.3)

So how will I vote? I will say this, I value the fact that all people’s lives are equal and should be treated as such with fairness, honesty, dignity, and compassion. I value the fact that the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, for all, should also include the most vulnerable – the unborn infants. Our country was of divine design, and even though I know where prophecy says it will end, I value the principles that are outlined in our constitution, and the Biblical truths outlined in my church’s fundamental beliefs. I value religious liberty and Biblical values. And while I value the fact that God created people with free will, the freedom of choice, and the right to exercise that freedom, even to sin if they chose, their sinful actions should not, can not, infringe on the freedom of others. I value the fact that marriage is between a biological man and a biological woman. I value the principle of treating all people with kindness, compassion, and practicing the “golden rule” of Scripture (Matt 7:12; Luke 6:31; Matt 22:39-40; Mark 12:31; Rom 13:8-9; Gal 5:14).

Yes, I plan to vote this election; for the people and for the issues that best represent the values I find in Scripture. And I hope you will do the same. And may God continually lead you in your decisions.