Owen Strachan writes for Christianity Today. An excerpt:
. . . American Christians who are engaged in the life of this country likely desire an evangelical candidate who not only loves the Lord but who also governs wisely and justly.But living in a fallen world—and an increasingly diverse and secular nation—means that believers will not always find a candidate who shares their worldview. If nature is red in tooth and claw, politics are red in tariff and clause.
Engagement in the nation’s public life often means dealing with less-than-ideal choices, circumstances, and candidates. Christians bemoan this reality, but it is part of life in a fallen world. Pursuing our good and the good of our neighbor—publicly practicing Christ’s command in Mark 12:31—means that we must often make difficult choices and go with the best possible candidate given a biblical worldview.
On the other hand, evangelicals might support religious candidates from a range of traditions with whom they have major doctrinal disagreements. When this is the case, believersshould recommit themselves to the City of Man even as they find their essential identity and their undying hope in the City of God.We want a virtuous head for our country, but we do not want an Orwellian “Dear Leader,” a political figure to whom we attach spiritual significance and from whom we expect messianic deliverance.The only one who deserves such adoration is not physically here yet—but when he comes, term limits won’t apply.
What of the upcoming election, which features a Mormon candidate for the presidency? . . .
Read the whole thing here.
