Are Christians compelled to vote? No.

Are Christians prohibited from voting? No.

I think the Bible is clear on both points, and yet, brethren have debated those two points for at least two hundred years, especially in the USA. David Lipscomb, a scholar for whom I have tremendous respect (despite not always agreeing with him), was adamant in saying that Christians should completely detach themselves from any civic responsibilities (though not from particularly Christian responsibilities such as rendering aid to the needy, etc). On the other hand, there was James Garfield, our 20th President, who stepped down as an elder in the church in order to serve in political office.

To say the least, there are vigorous proponents on both sides.

Our answers are not found in the writings or deeds of uninspired men, however. We base our actions on the Word of God, and in that respect, there is no prohibition, principle, or precept that would lead a Christian to conclude that he must NOT cast a vote in a secular election. There is also no commandment, principle, or precept that would lead a Christian to conclude that he MUST cast a vote in a secular election. The matter, therefore, is left entirely to one’s own conscience.

And if it is a subject left to one’s own conscience, then there IS a Bible principle to follow…

Hast thou [an opinion]? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

(Romans 14:22)

If your scrupulous conscience tells you not to vote, then do not vote. If your scrupulous conscience compels you to go vote, then by all means, go vote. At the end of the day, we all understand that an election will take place, someone will be elected, and we will—we must!—submit to them as authorities put in power by God (Romans 13:1). Those authorities have established a system whereby people are free to take part in deciding who represents that authority. We are “free” to take part in that. We are not compelled to do so, not by the laws of men nor by the laws of Christ.

Whether you vote or not, I will only ask that you join me in prayer, asking God to give us the leaders we need (and not necessarily the leaders we deserve).

~Matthew