Perspective: Scripture encourages civic virtue, so everyone should vote

Trevor Sewell
Guest Writer

Despite their strong convictions, many Union students and even some faculty members talk about their lack of interest in voting in this year’s election. Many cite their doctrinal persuasions as an excuse for their political apathy as they take a solid stance on the idea of the church separating itself from the “worldly” government.

Some people are not wired for politics, but that lack of interest does not change the simple fact that American citizens all have civic duties.

While Christians should be set apart from this world, Scripture also depicts the importance of civic virtue. In Deuteronomy 16:18, Moses commands the Israelites to “appoint judges and officials for each tribe.”

God gives people the right and the responsibility to set up a government for themselves.

God tells the people to create a government and what do the people do? Do they sit and wait on God’s hand to physically sweep down and set up a judge?

They do not. They obediently follow his command and select judges and officials.

This generation lives in a different context than the Israelites, and more study could be done on this passage, but the message is simple: God called his people to exercise the free will he gave them to govern themselves, and his people obeyed.

God-given liberties are constantly threatened today. The right to worship is slowly being pulled out from under people’s feet, and the right to life itself is robbed from millions of children before they leave the womb.

Where is the church? Are Christians standing in the public square, as Paul did, fighting for the Christian faith and the convictions it brings, or are they hiding in our churches and refusing to engage this side of our culture?

This is a fallen world. A sad reality of this fact is that society will not be perfect until Christ’s return. This means people will not always have perfect candidates or leaders but still must stand for the Christian worldview in this culture.

Christians interpret the Scriptures differently, resulting in many opinions and beliefs.

Regardless, people are called to stand up for the faith, which may mean voicing one’s political views – even if it is simply with a ballot.

From my conservative Baptist viewpoint, I have to vote to protect the right for unborn children to live, to protect individuals as they try to provide for their families and to protect churches and their work to spread the Gospel.

Since the denomination was founded, Baptists have stood firm and have fought for religious freedoms, seeing the church with its many denominations grow and take the Gospel to the world.

If nothing else, it’s important to approach the question of who to vote for — or even to vote — through the lens of the Gospel. Christians may not all push the same button, but they will be earnestly seeking the will of the same Lord.