Ask RC- Can a Christian vote for a Democrat?

Of course. Truth be told, I’m far more concerned about the spiritual state of the person asking the question than I am about the spiritual state of the person inside the question. This, despite the truth that over the course of the past 36 years I could count the number of times I voted for a Democrat on one hand, even if that hand had no fingers. This despite the truth that it never crossed my mind to consider voting for a Democrat, that the choices I find myself making are all on the right side of the aisle. This despite the truth that I am unashamedly a one issue voter whose position on that issue is diametrically opposed to the Democratic party’s position.

The question, please note, is not about whether a Christian should vote for a Democrat. It’s not a question about the ethics of the matter. I have for multiple election cycles made my position clear- no man will receive my vote if he is not committed to doing everything in his power to protect with the full force of the law all unborn children. Everyone to the left of that standard is pro-abortion with exceptions. I know, however, that Christians can vote for Democrats because Christians do things they ought not to do all the time. Acknowledging that truth is how we become Christians in the first place- we confess that we are sinners. Christians vote for Democrats. Christians vote for Republicans that promise to protect the “right” of some parents to murder some babies. Christians hire assassins to murder their own unborn children, or their unborn grandchildren. That happens every day in every state in the union. Some of you have done it.

Christians, real born-again, Spirit born, Spirit indwelt, will spend eternity with their Father who loves them infinitely and immutably Christians do all sorts of horrible things all the time. They, even at least one who was eyewitness of the resurrection and the leader of the early church, have been guilty of the grievous sin of racism. They have seduced women of lower stations, and then committed murder to cover their sin. One fellow, after building the most glorious house of worship of the living God ever built, later built houses of worship for false gods.

This is what we do. It is a bad thing to vote for Democrats. It is a worse thing to think you as a believer can not and do not do even worse things. The Christian faith is that place where we confess that we sin, and sin grievously. It is the place where we celebrate and rest in the grace of God that forgives a wretch like me. That place where redeemed men who were blind to their own sins of treating other men as property find grace. That place where beloved children of the living God who in their folly treat the sins of others as unforgivable whole overlooking their own, are encouraged to repent of their pride. And that place where repentance is always met with both forgiveness and joy on every side.

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5 Responses to Ask RC- Can a Christian vote for a Democrat?

  1. Dan says:

    I appreciate this post immensely.

    I find myself on the opposite side of the aisle this year (D), although certainly not straight ticket, but I think this is the right response.

    Yesterday I was reading Philippians 1, and was reminded to appreciate others work for the Gospel, and pray for their growth, just as I need people to do for me.

    Even if I get it wrong, my political affiliation will not be my biggest sin this year, or this week. Thank you for this stance!

    • RC says:

      Dan,

      A couple things. First, I hope I was clear in affirming that it is wrong to vote Democratic at all. Second, we should take all our sins seriously, and flee from them. Third, my sincere hope is that we will not have a big discussion on voting as a result of this piece. It is much more about the reality of the ongoing battle with sin in our lives than it is about politics. Hope that helps brother. God bless.

      • Dan says:

        Reading your comment, it seems that I may have misread your post, but having re-read, I can’t make sense of the two together. It seemed that you were stating your convictions but calling for charity, humility, and grace while aligning with Jesus, not party, which I wanted to celebrate.

        Apologies if that was not your intention.

        • RC says:

          I’m saying it’s one thing to say it’s wrong to vote Democratic, which I would wholeheartedly agree with, and another thing altogether to suggest that anyone who does so is not a Christian. Shouldn’t, yes. Couldn’t? Of course not. Hope that helps.

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