Americans have a lot to say about the upcoming elections. But what does God have to say? The Bible is God’s way of speaking to his children. It addresses a number of issues that are discussed among presidential candidates President Barack Obama and former Gov. Mitt Romney.
Christians cannot hold their candidates responsible, without doing a personal assessment first.
According to Christian blogger, Tony Konvalin, the bible states the church should be involved in some manner with helping the needy, but it needs to be done out of obedience to scripture, not some governmental law.
This article is not intended to take sides. It is simply showing what the word of God says in regards to various issues. Although some may not specifically address a topic, a number of Bible passages are relevant.
Take a look below and weigh your choices with God’s and consider this, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corithians 10:31
Abortion
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.’” Luke 1:39-44, New International Version (NIV)
“Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.’” Jeremiah 1:4-5, New American Standard (NAS)
“I will say to God: …’Your hands shaped me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me? Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again?’” Job 10:2, 8-9, NIV
Gay Marriage
“They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, ‘All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’” John 8:7, NLT
“In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” Romans 1:27, NIV
“Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” Leviticus 18:22, NIV
“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality.” 1 Corinthians 6:9, New Living Translation (NLT)
Foreign Policy
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9, King James Version (KJV)
War
… “A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:8, English Standard Version (ESV)
“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with 10,000 men to oppose the one coming against him with 20,000? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.” Luke 14:31-32, NIV
Taxes
“Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:2, NIV
“Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’
But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.’ They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, ‘Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?’
‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.
Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’” Matthew 22:15-22, NIV
Welfare & Poverty
“He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and that which he has given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17, American King James Version
(AKJV)
“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” Proverbs 21:13, KJV
“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9, ESV
Economy & Debt
“The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.” Deuteronomy 28:12, NIV
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7, AKJV
“Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.” Psalm 112:5, NIV
“The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.” Proverbs 37:21, ESV
Environment
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:15, NIV
“For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1, NAS
“You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you.” Deuteronomy 8:10, ESV
Reading material
Each of these books articulate that it is a Christian’s duty and privilege to vote. They acknowledge that politics can be tricky and manipulating, so Christians should think carefully and act wisely, and thus our voting decisions must be informed by Christian values and principles.
– How Would Jesus Vote? by Charles McGregor (2012)
– How Should Christians Vote? by Tony Evans (2012)
– How Would Jesus Vote? A Christian Perspective on the Issues by D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe (2008)
– Jesus, How Would He Vote? by Verlane Townsend (2008)
– How Would Jesus Vote? A Biblical Perspective on Today’s Hot Political Issues by William H. Carney (2006)
– How Would Jesus Vote? An In-Depth Look at the Bible’s Views Concerning Today’s Hot Political Issues by The KingdomHasCome LLC (2004)
– How Would Jesus Vote? What to Look for in Your National Leaders by Ram Gidoomal and David Porter (2001)
