Voting can feel like a complex an overwhelming task. The Christian worldview doesn't fit neatly into the manifesto of any political party. The vision of godly rule expressed in Psalm 72 is a world away from what we have on offer in the upcoming UK elections. And yet we do need some kind of criteria for discernment. Loving our neighbours (Mark 12.31) requires that we are involved in politics, since some things can only be changed through public policy. My intent here is not to reproduce the many helpful things that have been written on this, but inspire some thoughts from the perspective of mission. Specifically, what impact will our vote have on the spread of the gospel?
Think about care for the vulnerable
The bible is pretty clear on the responsibility that we have to care for the weak among us. All people are made in the image of God (Genesis 1.26-31). This means that we are not valuable not because of our ability but simply because of our humanity. Being generous to the poor is lending to the Lord (Proverbs 19.17) and in line with the values of Christ (Matthew 19.21; Luke 10.33-35; Galatians 2.10). The orphan, widow and marginalised should receive special attention (Isaiah 1.17; James 1.27). Specifically, if the weak are neglected, their voice may not be heard (Psalm 82.3-4; Proverbs 31.8-9).
Missionally though, the vulnerable may sometimes have less chance to hear and respond to the gospel. If they are side-lined or even killed because they are deemed a burden (for example before they are born or when they are frail through illness), they may be robbed of the opportunity for growth in their knowledge and love of God.
Think about loving strangers
The church has always been a community of migrants. In fact one writer remarks that "most of the Bible was written by communities of faith (the Israelites and the early church) whose communal experience of the world was quite often marked by exodus, exile, sojourn, and diaspora," (Marzouk, 2019, 51). This perspective is different from much political rhetoric today. Biblically speaking, being on the move is far less a punishment than a reward for being committed to the basic beliefs of Christianity (Smith, 2016, 166). Even today, while some of us may not have experienced geographical displacement, as Christians we all experience spiritual alienation. We are all "elect exiles," whose ethics sometimes make us outsiders in a post Christian world (1 Peter 1.1-2).
It is absolutely vital to talk about border control. At the same time, people who are in this country with legal status can face anxiety, fear of rejection, racism, injustice and the trauma of alienation. For the sake of adorning the gospel and taking opportunities to share Christ, what kind of attitude do we have to migrants who are already here? Will their voices be silenced unfairly like Joseph's was when he found himself in a new land (Genesis 39.19-20)? Will we love strangers as we were strangers before God and express it practically (Deuteronomy 10.17-19). Will we see those from distant lands as "worthy" as Jesus did (Luke 7.1-10) and even people that we can learn and be blessed by just as Pharoah needed Joseph (Genesis 41) and Joseph needed the cupbearer (Genesis 40.23)? What will it look like to vote in ways that bless bless both migrant and host communities?
Think about freedom of speech
We live in a society where we are free to express our views. We believe that everyone should have the right to live in a world where they are free to have different opinions.
Yes there are limits. As Brad Littlejohn astutely points out, "no one has a legal right to falsely yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater. By the time truth has triumphed, dozens may have died in the stampede."
Yet too often, the majority voice wants to silence or ridicule anyone who thinks differently. Yet the opportunity to think our own thoughts is a precious gift. For much of church history, Christians have survived and even thrived under regimes that had little time for free speech. However, where it exists, even though we won't always agree, Christians want to protect the right of everyone to speak freely.
Remember that Jesus Christ is Lord
These few reflections are not intended to be exhaustive, but to shine a light on a missional perspective. There are so many factors to bear in mind. For example, the personal character of our local MP is often underrated as a significant factor in the way we vote. After all, much of what happens in society is unpredictable, and the character of those involved will sway the decisions that they make.
We want to pray for God's leading and that we would continue to be able to proclaim Christ (1 Timothy 2.1-4), think our decision through with God's priorities in mind (Luke 10.27), remember God's sovereignty (Daniel 5.21) and be slow to judge the decisions of others (Romans 12.17-21).
Perhaps more than anything, this presents an opportunity to speak about Jesus. Asking someone how they are going to vote is likely to either get silence or soundbites. But asking someone "what things seem most important when you come to vote," might get to values, priorities, hopes and dreams that open up all kinds of opportunities to speak about Jesus. At the very least we could say "I'm thankful that Jesus will still be in charge and that gives me hope" or "I'm pretty confused too, but more than anything I want to still be able to speak about Jesus."
Bibliography
Brad LittleJohn A Theology of Free Speech https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/theology-free-speech/
Safwat Marzouk Intercultural Church: A Biblical Vision for an Age of Migration, Fortress Press, 2019
Shively T. J. Smith, Strangers to Family: Diaspora and 1 Peter’s Invention of God’s Household, Baylor University Press, 2016
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