Election: How to Deal with the “Lesser of Two Evils”
By Dr. Barrett Mosbacker
October 15, 2016
In a few weeks Christians will join millions of other Americans in electing a President. Seldom have American Christians faced such unsavory options in presidential candidates. Christians of good faith and good conscience disagree on whom to support: Secretary Clinton, Mr. Trump, an independent candidate, or none of the above.
As the election approaches it is helpful to pull back from the frenetic noise of twenty-four-hour cable news, social media, and the hyperbole dominating this election season to reflect prayerfully and thoughtfully on how Christians should approach any election and its outcome. By God’s grace I will walk into the voting booth with deliberate calmness and will receive the outcome of the election — regardless of who wins — with dignity and confidence in God’s sovereignty over the affairs of state and of men.
The following biblical principles and practical advice help guide my thoughts, my vote, and my response to the outcome of this year’s election. I have divided my thoughts into two parts: Principles and Practical Application. Perhaps they will be of help to you as well.
Principles
One of the core goals of our schools is to teach our students to think biblically about everything — to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. That goal begins with us, for as Jesus said, the student will be like his teacher:
Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher (Luke 6:39–40).
Each of us is somewhere along the continuum of possessing a biblical worldview across a spectrum of issues. Depending on the issue, we may be further along in our understanding on some matters than on others. On some issues we may be mistaken without realizing it. On others we may be in the realm of legitimate Christian liberty, where the right answer depends on context and culture.
In politics the matter becomes all the more complex, because one is dealing with a proliferation of intertwined issues that defy easy formulas and simplistic policies. The difficulty is compounded by confirmation bias, our subconscious absorption of cultural mores, our lack of knowledge and expertise, our ideological commitments, our cultural context and experiences, and the distortions of modern media — all of which make arriving at a thoroughly biblical position on every issue difficult at best. But with humility, prayer, and the counsel of others, we must try.
What God Requires
As we assess the policy positions of the candidates and their respective parties — and as we teach our students and staff to do likewise — the following passages, among many others, guide my thinking.
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8).
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24).
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior (1 Timothy 2:1–3).
Justice and love for our neighbor must inform our decisions and our vote. As I ponder my options, I seek to elect the candidate who, in my best and admittedly flawed judgment, is most likely to promote justice and righteousness in every sphere: in the womb, in the inner city, in the suburbs, in business, on Wall Street, between social and ethnic groups, in health care, in the environment, in the justice system, and in international affairs. I must not vote merely in the interest of a white conservative evangelical suburbanite; I must also vote in the interest of my neighbors in the inner city, on the farm, and across the sea.
I am also voting for the candidate who, in my judgment, is most likely to promote a social order conducive to living a quiet and peaceful life of godly dignity in serving God and loving my neighbor as myself. My vote must not be merely about my own socioeconomic interests and demographic; it must also account for my neighbors’ interests and the interests of fellow citizens who do not look like me, think like me, or share my experiences and needs.
Having the perspective that an election is not merely about one’s own interests is hard — but it is commanded:
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare (Jeremiah 29:4–7).
Do nothing from selfish ambition — that includes voting — or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3–4).
It is important that we teach and model before our students the principle that we do not vote merely based on self-interest, or the interest of our particular group, but also for the interest of all our neighbors.
Voting for the Lesser of Two Evils
Because both of this year’s presidential candidates are so unpopular and so flawed, it is often said that one must vote for the lesser of two evils. For progressives this may mean voting for Secretary Clinton. For conservatives it may mean voting for Mr. Trump. For others it may mean writing in a candidate. The fact is, we are always voting for the lesser of two evils, because every person is fallen.
There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one (Romans 3:10–12).
Some candidates, by virtue of their policy positions or conduct, are more deficient than others. In some election cycles the difference between the two candidates is greater, making the choice clearer. In other years the difference is far narrower. One must prayerfully decide whether one candidate genuinely is the lesser of two evils — in conduct and in policy — and vote accordingly. If the difference between the two is so narrow as to make that distinction nearly impossible to draw, one may legitimately write in a candidate. Whatever one decides, the vote must be made on the basis of being well informed on the issues, honest and accurate in one’s assessment of the candidates’ character and conduct, and after seeking wise, godly counsel.
It is vital that our students do not hear staff demonizing either candidate based on ideological bias, rumor, or innuendo. While it is entirely appropriate — in fact essential — that we teach our students how to critique candidates’ character and policies, such critique must be carried out with fairness and accuracy. An election season does not justify slander or gossip.
God Is Sovereign Over the Affairs of State
While we have every reason to be concerned about the quality of leadership and the direction of our country, we must not become anxious, fearful, or despondent. Regardless of the outcome, God is sovereign over it. The Scriptures are clear that there is no governing authority unless God ordains it, and equally clear that God directs the decisions of kings. His ways are also not our ways.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God (Romans 13:1).
He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding (Daniel 2:21).
Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin” (John 19:11).
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will (Proverbs 21:1).
How we react to the outcome of the election will be the loudest lesson we teach our students. Will they hear anger and fear — or a realism informed and tempered by confidence in a sovereign God?
Evil Turned to Good
Let us suppose your candidate loses. What then? While it is appropriate to be disappointed — even concerned for the Republic and the possible consequences, which can be dire — we must remember that even in such circumstances God is working for our good.
Because we live in a hyper-individualistic culture, American Christians tend to interpret Scripture individualistically — that is, asking how a given passage applies personally. While that is appropriate, it often shortchanges the full meaning of the text. In fact, much of the Bible is addressed to the people of God collectively: Israel in the Old Testament and the Church in the New Testament. A case in point is Romans 8:28, a verse beloved by many Christians:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
While applicable to each Christian individually, it is also broadly applicable to the universal Church. What God does in this world — including the outcome of elections — is ultimately for the glory of Christ, that in all things he might be preeminent (Colossians 1:18), and for the good of his Church and the advancement of his Kingdom. If the verse is true for each believer, it is true of every believer; and if it is true of every believer, it is true of the universal Church of which Christ is the Head.
Accordingly, what may seem bad for individual believers or for a group of believers within a nation, God is nevertheless causing to work toward the greater good — not only of those believers but for Christ’s universal Church. When God permitted the horrific persecution of Christians under Nero, for example, the Church spread far and wide, taking the Gospel with it. Whatever evil God permits at any given time is under his sovereign oversight for a purpose greater than ourselves and greater than our nation. Ultimately, God is working for the good of his universal Church and the preeminence of Christ.
If God allows our nation to elect deficient or even depraved authorities, he has his good purposes and will cause good to come from it — not as we define good, but as he defines it:
My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8–9).
Practical Advice
Focus on the substance of a candidate’s character, conduct, and policy positions — not on the spectacle. The media, driven by ratings, focuses on the sensational and controversial: who tweeted what, the latest scandal, a recent gaffe, the latest poll. Little attention is devoted to serious assessments of the issues. If we approach the election on the basis of personalities and the latest headlines, we will not be informed voters. It is our responsibility, in seeking the welfare of the city, to be as informed as possible. Read the party platforms. Read experts on various topics. Read the arguments on the other side — you may gain a new perspective. Then assess the character of the candidates and make the most prayerful and informed decision you can.
Both Paul and Peter command us to honor those in authority. They wrote these commands to Christians suffering under Nero’s horrific persecution.
Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor (Romans 13:7).
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (1 Peter 2:17).
I am reminded of how David honored King Saul even while Saul was trying to kill him. When David had Saul trapped in a cave, he had the opportunity to take his life. Instead, he merely cut off the corner of Saul’s robe — and then felt guilty for doing so.
Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:4–6).
That is a godly example of honoring an evil king. No matter who wins, we honor the king. This does not mean acceptance of evil — John the Baptist lost his head for condemning Herod’s immorality. It does mean that we verbally honor those God has placed over us, no matter how much we dislike or disagree with them. We do so, and teach our students to do so, for the sake of the Gospel.
We live in a crass, uncivil, and perpetually outraged culture. This is sad, but it gives us the opportunity to be different — to be salt and light — as we speak the truth in love and conduct ourselves in word and deed with dignity and civility in our political discourse.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:14–18).
For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man (2 Corinthians 8:21).
As leaders and teachers in Christian schools, we must model before our students what it means to take every thought captive and to honor the king — even one we consider misguided, or with whom we mightily disagree. Like it or not, this election cycle gives us ample opportunity to demonstrate before our students and parents how imperfect but maturing Christians navigate an election between two deeply flawed candidates. What will our students hear and see from us between now and the election, and afterward?
The student will be like his teacher. What will you and I be teaching them this election cycle?