Next month, Vision Forum will be producing a new and updated series entitled “Biblical Principles for the Ballot Box,” a completely non-partisan look at the theology of voting and politics. It is our contention that (a) the Bible is sufficient to give us all we need for faith and practice, including ethical principles for voting; (b) that these principles do not point to perfection in candidates, only that the candidate at least meet non-optional minimum threshold requirements for office; (c) that the Christian’s response to the ballot box in a constitutional republic is rooted in his ministerial duty before the Lord to be God’s representative in the gates, and (d) believers are not to be driven by emotions or fear, but by a long-term perspective on the victory of Christ knowing that our God is sovereign.

Ultimately, the issue for Christians is not third party or second party voting practices, but biblical principles of voting. These are derived from Scripture. The temptations for pragmatic (and often emotional) reasoning is very high. I appreciate the following sentiments presented ten years ago at a conference dedicated to explicitly Christian politics. As to the subject of how Christians should approach voting in a constitutional republic (not a constitutional democracy) this author contends:

But what if Christians do not run in an election? Should we not use our vote to support the “best man”(or woman)? Let me respond by asking, Should we not withhold our vote from covenant-breaking pagans, no matter how “conservative” they are? Why, in a constitutional republic where you have some say in your government, would you use your “say” to say that you desire an unconverted rebel to rule over you? Others may object, But in a three-way race between a liberal Democrat, a conservative Republican, and a Bible-believing Christian, aren’t you splitting the vote by voting for the Christian, and thus assuring that the worst of the three, the liberal, will be elected? In some cases, yes, but I am not responsible to God for how other people vote, only for how I vote. I must do what is right no matter what the consequences, which are in the hands of God. — Source: Social Witness and Christian Voting: How Should Christians Use the Franchise?

It is precisely in times of tension and uncertainty that we need to follow the wisdom of God, more than the wisdom of men. For my part, I am far more concerned that Christians truly attempt to build their worldview on Scripture (rather than their own autonomous reasoning) than even how they vote in a particular election.  Christian men may differ on their understanding of facts regarding individual candidiates, but if Christians can not agree that the Bible alone is the standard for how we should vote, then our problem is far greater than who will or will not win the next election.

We are losing our children and an entire generation of Christians to the pragmatic and utilitarian philosophies of the world.  Pragmatism is fear-based. It is theologically rooted in a rejection of the sovereignty of God. It is the product of short-term thinking. Worst of all, it is conscience-searing. Given the significance of the integrity of the Christian community to the welfare and blessing of a nation, I can think of nothing so detrimental to America as the searing of the collective conscience of a Christian men and women driven by fear away from God’s Word and towards the very pragmatism which has incrementally sabatoged the spirit of this nation.

Apart from God’s law-word revelation as the only standard for human action there is chaos.