Does Jesus Expect Me To Vote? Part 1
Today is Saturday, November 5th, 2022. We are only a few short days away from Election Day in the United States of America. This is Part One of a two part series on the question, "Does Jesus expect me to vote?" In this article, we are going to primarily be concerned with the history of voting and why voting is unique. In Part Two, we will dig into the Scriptures to see what the Bible says about elections and voting.
Table of Contents
Difficulties Surrounding Elections and Voting
Politics are tough. Our world is very divided over political elections and voting. Even within the American Church, the issue of voting is hotly debated and divisive. American politics offer a mixed bag of optimism, pessimism, and indifference. Our recent election cycles have been so divisive and partisan. Many well-meaning citizens have grown weary of the political theater. Many are even beginning to doubt that their vote matters.
Perhaps you have been feeling angst toward our current political environment. Like many others, you may be doubting whether your vote would even make a difference.
Questions We Ask Ourselves
As we approach November 8th or Election Day, you are likely asking some of the following questions.
- What should Christians do on Election Day?
- What does the Bible tell me about my responsibilities before God when it comes to voting?
- Does Jesus expect me to vote?
- How should Christians with a Biblical Worldview deal with elections and voting?
Have you been told voting is a civic responsibility or even a Christian responsibility but didn't understand why? As one who is seeking to follow Jesus Christ, you might be wrestling with what to do on Election Day. Should you stay home or should you go vote?
Many of you are completely convinced, one way or the other, about how you will deal with matters of voting. No one will change your mind. You have a strong sense of conviction. That's a good thing!
Benefits of Thinking Through the Issue of Voting
Regardless of where you are in your convictions, if you fit any of the above descriptions, then you can benefit from this discussion. In this article/episode, we are going to do our best to answer some of these questions from a Biblical perspective. Knowledge can offer us wisdom to live more zealously for Christ in all areas of life, including politics.
Are you ready to dive into this topic?
Let’s get our zealous on!
We are going to start by taking a look at the history of voting.
A Brief History of Elections and Voting
If you vote this Election Day, whether you lean toward donkeys or elephants or somewhere in between, the process will go something like this. You’ll be given a (digital or paper) ballot prepared by election officials. Next, you’ll fill in circles that represent your choice of candidate. This will all be done in secret. Now, this process is pretty common today, but it would have seemed foreign to our ancestors.
Vocal Voting
In the early days of the American Experiment, voting was done by “viva voce” or voice voting.1 Gathered in a meeting hall, men would come forward one at a time. They would place their hand upon the Bible and give an oath. After they were sworn in, their name and voiced votes were recorded by a recording clerk in public.2 Talk about a total lack of privacy. Once you voiced your vote, everyone knew exactly how you voted.
The First Paper Ballots.
Australia was the first government to issue paper ballots in an election in 1858. The Australian People were concerned about voter fraud and needed a better way of securing elections.3 Our American ingenuity took thirty years to catch up. New York and Massachusetts were the first states to adopt paper ballots in 1888.4
As you can see, the way we hold elections and vote is a very new occurrence in history. That is not to say other civilizations didn’t vote, they did. But not in the same way we do today. For example, some of you will be casting your vote digitally on a touchscreen console. I’m sure our ancestors never thought of that way of voting.
What is the point of this Historical Journey?
Throughout history, humanity has sought to construct different systems of governing their civilizations. We have seen many systems of government. The most common forms are aristocracies, theocracies, monarchies, oligarchies, colonialism, totalitarianism, military dictatorships, socialism, communism, and democracies.
A few of these systems allow some form of voting to occur, but many do not even hold elections.
Communism
In communist societies, for example, citizens are often allowed to vote. Yet, they can only vote for candidates that have been pre-selected by the ruling factions. The citizens have no real say in who governs them, nor how they are governed.
Monarchies
In the case of the United Kingdom, a Constitutional Monarchy. The Monarch is chosen for the people by the royal bloodline. Yet, the people can still vote on other elected officials who do the actual work of governing.
Whereas in Absolute Monarchies, like Saudi Arabia, the King is chosen for the people according to a bloodline. These Kings are granted almost unlimited ruling power.
America’s Democratic Republic
The Founding Fathers wrote in our Declaration of Independence that, "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed."
Unlike the majority of governing systems, our system of government places the ruling power in the hands of the citizens. The ruling power of our government is granted to our candidates through the trust we display through the ballot box.
We the People and the Right to Vote
From the beginning of the American Experiment, our Founding Fathers understood that to have a free people, the people needed to be the ruling authority. So, they gave us a system where the government only derives its power from the consent of the governed. “We the people” are the ruling class.
“We the people” are the ruling class. The right to vote is the one element that allows every citizen a share of the ruling influence.
Wayne Sullivan
The right to vote is the one element that allows every citizen a share of the ruling influence. This is monumental! Hear me out! This is why the saying “elections have consequences,” came about. Voting is a privilege, but it is also a responsibility. Our founding fathers knew this all too well, and thankfully so.
Andrew Jackson and Resisting the Concentration of Power
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) was the 7th President of the United States of America. Following his veto of the Bank Renewal Bill, which prevented a federalized banking system, President Jackson said, “It is easy to conceive that great evils to our country and its institutions might flow from such a concentration of power in the hands of a few men irresponsible to the people.” 5
“It is easy to conceive that great evils to our country and its institutions might flow from such a concentration of power in the hands of a few men irresponsible to the people.” 5
President Andrew jackson
What prevented a concentration of power in our nation that could have held, in Jackson’s own words, “thousands of our citizens in dependence, it would be more formidable and dangerous than the naval and military power of the enemy.” 6
What power prevented that from happening in Jackson’s day? The right of the citizens to vote. They chose wisely in placing Jackson in the Presidency. He was able to rule in a way that respected the citizens of America.
Woodrow Wilson and Resisting the Powers of Death
Another wise choice made by the citizens was Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), the 28th President of the United States of America. President Wilson once said, “The history of Liberty is a history of limitations of governmental power, not the increase of it. When we resist, therefore, the concentration of power, we are resisting the powers of death, because concentration of power is what always precedes the destruction of human liberties.”7
“The history of Liberty is a history of limitations of governmental power, not the increase of it. When we resist, therefore, the concentration of power, we are resisting the powers of death, because concentration of power is what always precedes the destruction of human liberties.”7
president woodrow wilson
The one thing the Founders were most concerned with is the one thing we should be most concerned with. It is a concentration of power that pulls power away from the people. It will become an oppressive power that President Wilson called the "Powers of Death."
Theodore Roosevelt and the Need for Sound Judgment
President Theodore Roosevelt feared that we would soon come to live in a day in which we would have to choose between two competing ideologies. He was concerned that our choice would be between whether we were going to advance the cause of Christian civilization or revert to the horrors of brutal paganism.8 He believed that the welfare of our nation rested on “… the average man and woman.” 9
Roosevelt said that if they, “… are honest, capable of sound judgment and high ideals, active in public affairs — but, first of all, sound in their home life, and the father and mother of healthy children whom they bring up well — just so far, and no further, we may count our civilization a success.” 10
Teddy Roosevelt's vision for a healthy family life which actively engages in the public square in order to seek the welfare of all is the heart-cry of ZealousHomes. We long to see Christian homes that are healthy, zealous, and making a difference all over our world.
These elected officials held the opinion that citizens hold a high degree of civic responsibility. To say it differently, citizens of the United States of America share in the ruling power. They also share the responsibility of preventing a concentration of power that would pry the ruling power out of their own hands.
Were they correct?
If they are, what does that mean for us?
One of my favorite quotes is from Woodrow Wilson. What he said will hopefully help us to gain some insight as well.
“There are a good many problems before the American people today, and before me as President, but I expect to find the solution to those problems just in the proportion that I am faithful in the study of the Word of God.” 10
President Woodrow Wilson
Does Jesus Expect Me to Vote?
In our next post we are going to take President Wilson's advice and see what the Scriptures have to say to us to instruct us in how to find the solution to our question. Please stay tuned!
Until next time,
#bezealous, #stayzealous, #livezealouslyforChrist
Click Here To Read "Does Jesus Expect Me To Vote? Part Two"
Featured Resource
William J. Federer's Encyclopedia of Quotations, titled "America's God and Country is one of the absolute best resources to read quotations, letters, prayers, and more from men and women who were used by God to shape the foundations of our nation. We heartedly recommended this resource for your personal library.
Check out our corresponding Podcast Episode on this topic.
Footnotes
- Roos, Dave. “How Americans Have Voted Through History: From Voices to Screens.” HISTORY. Accessed November 4, 2022. https://www.history.com/news/voting-elections-ballots-electronic.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Federer, William J. America’s God and Country: Encyclopedia of Quotations. FAME Publishing, Inc., 1994., p. 308.
- Ibid., p. 308.
- Ibid., p. 698.
- Ibid., p. 540.
- Ibid., p. 540-541.
- Ibid., p. 698.