Most of us have felt at times that we are constrained to vote for “the lesser of two evils” – the two-evil dilemma. This may be part of the reason that almost half, many say more than half, of evangelical Christians don’t vote or vote for a third-party candidate who has little chance of winning. I’m afraid that number will be even higher in this presidential election. Some also think their vote doesn’t matter, either because they say all politicians are the same or that they don’t trust that their vote will be counted fairly. This is a tragedy, because those who take this “purist” stance will usually help the candidate, who least represents their values, win.

Here are two thoughts on why evangelical Christians, who love the Lord and love their country, should vote – and vote in such a way that their values are most likely to be represented.

But before that, let me say without question that politicians are by no means our saviors, and that God is in control of the outcome of any election. The Bible is clear that He is the one who sets up and takes down rulers (Daniel 2:21). Sometimes God promotes rulers we would not think were good. But in every case, whether it was the Egyptian Pharaoh, King Cyrus of Persia, Emperor Nero, or even Hitler, God’s purposes were accomplished. Of course, it goes without saying that ALL leaders and political candidates are sinners (evil) just like us voters. Let’s be sure to take the “beam” out of our own eye before we condemn others (Matthew 7:3). As Christians, we should be on our knees daily asking God to have mercy on our nation, because the outcome of this election could be His judgment for how far we have strayed from Him. But in the final analysis, we don’t question His sovereign plan (Dan 4:35). Again, this doesn’t mean we should not wisely exercise our privilege to vote, and here are two reasons why.

First, our nation’s forefathers pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to give us the incredible form of government we have. Even with its flaws, it is a government of, by, and for the people … the people who bother to vote, that is! Many of our forefathers did indeed die to establish our independence and many have given up their lives since then to preserve our freedoms. Coming out of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin remarked, “we are giving you a constitutional republic, if you can keep it!” How can we not see voting as a civic duty, perhaps even a moral obligation?

The second reason to vote, even if it is for “the lesser of two evils,” is this. Even though a candidate is flawed, we are not complicit with their sin when we vote for them. Two reasons come to mind. One, we are not joining in with their sin. And two, we are not approving of their sin, unless of course we try to defend or minimize it.

These thoughts were prompted by a recent article by James R. Wood in World Magazine entitled, “Against political Donatism.” Wood describes how the well-respected late 4th century theologian Augustine of Hippo argued against the Donatist purists of his day, who said, “The ‘traitores’ should not be allowed to minister the sacraments.” The “traitores” were those church leaders who sinned by acquiescing to the Roman authorities during the Diocletian persecution. But the Donatists had painted themselves into a legalistic and separatist corner. Similarly, when those today don’t vote or make their purist political choices, it often leads to unintended consequences.

Rarely are we fully satisfied with everything about a candidate we vote for. But God has given us the privilege to live in the greatest country in the world. We should be continually praying with humble, repentant, and grateful hearts (2 Chron 7:14). And we owe it to our forefathers, our nation, and ultimately, I believe, to God, to determine and vote for the candidates who promote policies that align more with Christian values and principles, no matter how flawed they might be.

Jack Snyder