Introduction

Scriptureinfo.com is not a political website. Many political websites exist that will say whom to vote for, or whether our current elected officials are competent, and so on. Therefore, this website will not discuss the above topics.

Unfortunately, many Christians, even conservative or fundamentalist ones, claim that we should live Biblical lives, share our faith when we can, and do little or nothing about changing un-Biblical laws.

The question then is:  Should we concentrate on evangelizing the lost (see my page on evangelizing the lost); or should we concentrate on politics?  The answer is YES!!

The passages below include some historical examples from the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings, which showed that bad kings caused the whole nation to sin, as well as some general passages from Proverbs. Yes, Israel was a monarchy at the time of 1 Kings and 2 Kings as opposed to a republic. However, in a republic, we elect our leaders; and these passages are intended to show what happens when we elect bad leaders.

This web page shows that the Bible clearly says we need to be involved in the political process.

Please note:  Some countries do not hold elections.  If you live in one of these countries, some of what is stated on this page may not apply to you.

Political Involvement as a Christian

Kings of Israel and Judah

Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah. Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. (1 Kings 15:1-3)[1]

And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah. And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. (1 Kings 15:9-11)

And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin. (1 Kings 15:25-26)

Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities. (1 Kings 16:12-13)

And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house over him with fire, and died, For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin. (1 Kings 16:18-19)
 
But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him. For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities. (1 Kings 16:25-26)
 
And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD...And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin. (1 Kings 21:20,22)
 
Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years. And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom. (2 Kings 3:1-3)
 
In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom. (2 Kings 13:1-2)
 

The above passages from 1 Kings and 2 Kings illustrate that, when Israel had bad leaders, the whole nation would end up sinning.

General Passages

The Proverbs passages below are more general about the need for righteous leaders.

 
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. (Proverbs 29:2)
 
When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. (Proverbs 28:12)
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. (Proverbs 28:15)
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase. (Proverbs 28:28)

It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. (Proverbs 16:12)

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 11:34)

The Need for Involvement (Voting)

This page is intended to show that we need to vet candidates when we vote, and to get out and vote! The people of Israel could not elect their kings, but we do elect our leaders.

However, this is not to say that we should simply vote for one political party over the other. Although currently, in the United States (Replace these political parties with your country's political parties if you are from another country), the Republican Party aligns more closely with Biblical teachings than the Democratic Party (There are more political parties in the United States; however, since these two political parties currently receive the vast majority of the votes between them, I will limit my discussion to these two), this does not mean that every Republican candidate is a better choice than his Democratic opponent. There are Republicans who are not Christians as well as Democrats who are Christians and vice versa. Also, when sharing our faith with others (see my page on the Great Commission), we need to reach out to people regardless of their political persuasion. Normally, when I share my faith with somebody, I try to keep politics out of the conversation as much as possible.

Also, when we vote, we are voting for candidates for a political office, not for the pastor of our church. We may have cases where none of the candidates align as well as we would like with Biblical teachings. We should then vote for the candidate who aligns best, rather than refuse to vote at all.

A Voting No-No

Some Christian voters may vote for anti-Christian candidates in the hope that Christ will return sooner if these candidates win.  The truth is, all voting this way will do is increase persecution while not having Christ return any sooner at all.  Scripture states how to have Christ return sooner:

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14)  See also the page on the end times.

The Need for Involvement (Running for Office)

The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. (Judges 9:8-15)

 

This passage clearly says to consider running for office if you meet the qualifications and feel called to serve in this way. After all, if only non-Christians (symbolized by brambles in the above passage) run for political office; and only non-Christians vote, what kind of a government do you think we will have?

footnotes

[1] All scripture references are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. Please see my about page for why I chose this translation.