For Whom Would Jesus Vote?
This was a question once posed to me on Facebook by someone who said she "agreed with almost everything I wrote about politics". After congratulating her on her incredibly good taste and political instincts, this article was my answer. Since one of my primary challenges is how to examine civil, social, and political issues through the lens of my faith, I thought it would be a fitting opening post. And never could I imagine a more surprising and challenging time to do that than during the 2016 election, which is the context for this question. The election is long over by now, so I have updated it a bit from when I first answered, but the answer is ultimately unchanged.
Jesus living in today's America is a trippy thing to imagine. He would be able to see the true heart and intentions of those running, as well as those voting. I think he probably WOULD vote, because it's sort of a civic duty and it seems "right" to participate. He certainly did not speak against it. The world He lived in didn't afford the population that opportunity, but at least on the subjects He did address, He seemed civil-minded to some extent.
It's fair to say that none of the candidates would line up with his position on all issues. It's also fair to say that there are "core" issues on both sides that represent honest-to-goodness biblical values. So I don't think he would automatically align with a particular party or candidate. This is no doubt unfathomable to say to many of my friends, but I believe that is the case.
When considering lots of passages, it seems like overriding principles are expressed in Daniel 4, Romans 13, and 1 Timothy 2. These lead me to the conclusion that he would vote for:
THE WINNER.
Hang with me for a second - this is not a cop-out answer. Daniel 4 tells of a dream experienced by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The point is made three times that those in power on earth are allowed to be there by God, and “sets over it the lowliest of men”. The lowliest of men….
This is reinforced by Romans 13. Whoever wins is there by divine providence, which means Jesus actually rigged the election (I guess, the ultimate vote) and exactly the person he intended to win has risen to power.
Now, I want to clarify this a bit, because there are going to be people who make the claim that "God's will was done" and "Jesus elected Trump as an answer to prayer" or whatever. While I agree that God's will was done, as ultimately it always is, Trump's election was not some sort of blessing bestowed upon a besieged nation as far as I can tell. Many who would make this claim would also say Obama was a godless Muslim illegal immigrant judgement upon us. This is equally ridiculous (not to mention demonstrably, factually false), and reveals their ability/willingness to honestly assess the world around them. In fact, Obama has the most clearly expressed understanding of the essence of Christianity, and the most authentic (as far as we can tell) testimony of coming to that faith of any president I know except possibly Jimmy Carter.
I say all of that to say this: God put him there, but sometimes God just gives us what we ask for, whether it's best for us or not.
Once the election was over, He would provide the new president the respect due his position (note, NOT the respect we think the individual is due on their personal merits or lack thereof - when we are disrespectful, I think we are in disobedience), and would pray for him/her (not AGAINST him) throughout his term. This is not to say he would not be critical of his policies or endorse moral failings, but he would not denigrate the person himself. Unless, perhaps, if he claimed faith in Him that he did not really have. He certainly has a history of calling that out publicly. But in general, I think He would advocate for policies that are right, and let the person's actions and words reveal the man himself.
Maybe not a satisfying answer….but the best I could do.
