–– David de Bruyn
Audio version of this article available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
This year sees a number of crucial elections around the world: Taiwan, Pakistan, Russia, the United States, and South Africa among others. All in all, at least 64 countries will vote for government, including 18 African countries.
When Christians vote, they are exercising a right given to citizens of a democratic state: they are requesting certain persons to be their government. And since Christians answer to God first, their vote must represent a request for a government that obeys God’s mandate for human government.
The Bible lays certain obligations on all human governments. Any political party that refuses or neglects to do these things is disobeying God, and a vote to support them is essentially a Christian ignoring his or her Father’s explicit will for human government.
So what does God expect from human government?
1) Government Should Protect Human Life
At the very institution of human government, God gave human beings the mandate to protect humans, because they are made in the image of God (Gen 9:6). Governments are to protect the most precious thing on earth: human life. This protection of the right to life extends to the unborn, and any party that refuses to end the holocaust of abortion does not take seriously the protection of human life (Proverbs 24:11-12). A just government will take seriously all threats to the lives of its citizenry, be they criminal threats, aggressive nations, or even industries or businesses that irresponsibly put human life at risk. Indeed, a righteous and fair government will be willing to protect life at the cost of life.
2) Government Should Display Integrity in Dealings
God requires that those who rule over men are not to be controlled by covetousness, with the inevitable bribery, perverting of justice and partiality that follows coveting. (2 Sam 23:3, Exodus 18:21). Rulers, regardless of their personal religious beliefs, are to exercise integrity and impartiality for the sake of their office (Proverbs 16:12; 28:15-16; 29:2, 4, 12, 14).
3) Government Should Restrain Evildoers and Uphold the Law
Augustine said that government is a necessary evil, that it is necessary because of evil. Government is required to restrain evildoers through the administration of justice, and the upholding of the law (Rom 13:1-4). A God-pleasing government is to legislate what will restrain those who would harm their neighbours, and make laws that create enough civil order for human beings to live “quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness” (1 Tim 2:2).
A government that upholds the law through the appointment and support of a good and effective police force, judiciary, and penal system shows a commitment to law and order. A nation where evil is punished and justice upheld will be set free to prosper on almost every other level. This is a key mandate from God to human government (Proverbs 14:34, 16:10, 17:15, 20:8, 20:26, 24:23-25, 25:5).
4) Government Must Protect Private Property
The right to private property is one of the fundamental rights of human beings, and a basis of true civil freedom. Stable families, businesses and communities depend on the economic and social stability which private property ownership brings. God Himself protects this right (Ex 20:15, 17), and consequently expects government to protect it as well. A government that seeks to undermine this right through expropriation without compensation (theft), excessive taxes, penalties, or other levies that enrich itself and penalise the private property owner is expressing a profound injustice, and overtly or indirectly showing its contempt for the freedom of its citizens.
Notice what government is not required by God to do: support one religion over another, create jobs, manage and legislate the economy, increase the wealth of the country or the wealth of its own government, provide housing for its citizens, provide medical support or assistance to its citizens, or make sure every citizen is educated.
Indeed, some of the things people wish government to provide are actually required of others. Paul makes it clear in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that able-bodied human beings are responsible to earn their own living and see to their own welfare. First Timothy 5:8 makes it clear that caring for the elderly is something that falls firstly upon the family. When governments take the responsibility God gives to others, they create unhealthy expectations and foster immature dependence.
God is clear about what a government is to do: show integrity, uphold the law, punish evil, protect life, and protect private property. When a party explicitly fails to do one of these God-given mandates or even acts to defeat their implementation, it disqualifies itself as a contender for a God-pleasing government. Should you find a party that seems to uphold these four, you have a valid choice for your vote as a Christian.