ELECTION time for the United States is right upon us. Political word battles are interspersed with a few bullets. The fire and smoke resulting from political elections are not reserved exclusively for the North American continent however, for the problem of politics involves every nation on earth to a greater or lesser degree.
On several occasions I have met workers who have been quite involved with their own national elections. One minister with whom I had several long discussions was so enthralled with the election scene in his country that had I not known he was a minister I would have declared him to be a politician!
How much should we as workers be come involved in politics? Are we to be neutral or should we actively engage in supporting certain candidates?
As believers in divine revelation, let's start with the Word. First of all, we want to establish the fact that godly men have served in government positions with honor and dignity. Joseph, Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah are a few examples of men who served both God and government efficiently and effectively. There is nothing wrong with accepting a public office as long as God's claim on the individual's life is primary. Ellen White, speaking to Battle Creek College teach ers and the student body said, "Dear youth, what is the aim and purpose of your life? Are you ambitious for education that you may have a name and position in the world? Have you thoughts that you dare not express, that you may one day stand upon the summit of intellectual greatness; that you may sit in deliberative and legislative councils, and help to enact laws for the nation? There is nothing wrong in these aspirations. You may every one of you make your mark. You should be content with no mean attainments. Aim high, and spare no pains to reach the standard." 1
The New Testament writings make it clear that public office is a solemn, sacred trust. In fact, Paul claims that a civil servant is God's servant for the good of the public. And those who resist the "powers that be" are resisting "the ordinance of God" (see Rom. 13:1-5). Christ approved of the proper jurisdiction of earthly governments and payment of taxes (Matt. 22:17-21), for a strong government operating on just laws is an absolute necessity for the peace and happiness of its citizens.
Voting an Individual Concern
When it comes to church members voting in elections, our traditional position is that this is a decision of the individual. "But," as Arthur L. White puts it, "consistently through the years, the leaders of the church as well as Ellen G. White have again and again decried the danger of our people becoming involved in politics as such, or political controversy." That danger still exists today. The Christian should understand that political issues, like fashions, come and go with the whims of people. In fact, as we near the end of time we know that political, social, and moral conditions will reach such a state that no matter who is put into positions of leadership, they will be powerless to bring order out of chaos. Add to this the fact that many who run for public office have characters and ideals that are any thing but exemplary. It is for these reasons that the Christian voter should be extremely cautious as to whom he votes for. The task of voting becomes all the more difficult when there are no clear evidences of conflict between truth and error as it relates to the Christian.
Paul A. Gordon's two articles, "To Vote or Not to Vote," in the September 12 and 19, 1968, issues of the Review and Herald, contain excellent material as to the historical position of the church on voting. Three conclusions were listed in these articles that give good guidelines for those members who wish to vote: (1) We are always to vote "on the side of temperance and virtue." (2) The decision to vote for candidates is to be a personal decision, and if you vote, "keep your voting to yourself. Do not feel it your duty to urge every one to do as you do." 2 (3) We are to stand free from political strife and corruption.
Guidelines for Workers
The main burden of this article is to appeal to our ministers to be careful as shepherds in any remarks or counsel given relative to voting in any type of political election. It would be well for us to study carefully the special testimony relating to politics in Fundamentals of Christian Education, beginning on page 475. This is a letter written June 16, 1899. A summarization of the salient points made in this address is surely worthy of our attention today. If the principles she states were applicable in 1899, they certainly have a double application now and until the end of time. Although addressed to "Teachers and Managers of our Schools," it also includes ministers. Note carefully the following points:
1. As leaders we are to be careful with our words lest the minds of some become engrossed with a favorite political theory.
2. Political questions engender strife and can lead to church division, which must be avoided.
3. There is much guesswork in voting for parties and individuals, since we do not know those for whom we are voting.
4. We are members of the Lord's army and the only badge to be worn is that of Christ, not one of any particular political party.
5. To become deeply involved in politics is a violation of the command to not be yoked unequally together with unbelievers.
6. Workers "who distinguish them selves by their zeal in politics, should be relieved of their work and responsibilities without delay; for the Lord will not cooperate with them" (p. 477).
7. Tithe is not to be used as salary for those who use their time speaking on political questions.
8. Those who are occupied with politics are either to be converted to the truth or they should give up their work and surrender their credentials.
9. Our message is one of preparation for the coming of Christ; to us is given the ministry of reconciliation. Thus it is not our work to take sides and make enemies of those in the political world.
10. In our publications we are "not to exalt the work and characters of men in positions of influence, constantly keeping human beings be fore the people" (p. 480).
11. We are to keep in mind that "earthly kingdoms, nations, monarchs, statesmen, counselors, great armies, and all worldly magnificence and glory are as the dust of the balance" (p. 481).
12. The knowledge of God, not the knowledge and study of political questions is to be uppermost in our minds.
13. Our first work is to make Christ first, and our duty is to teach and to make the principles of His kingdom supreme.
We appeal to our ministers around the world to make the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ their first and only work! If a minister as an individual desires to vote in any particular election, this is his right. But let it be done quietly and without any attempt to influence others along political lines. "Would we know how we may best please the Saviour? It is not engaging in political speeches, either in or out of the pulpit." 3
Again and again Christ had been asked to decide legal and political questions. But He refused to interfere in temporal matters. He knew that in the political world there were iniquitous proceedings and great tyranny. But His only exposure of these was the proclamation of Bible truth. To the great multitudes that thronged His steps He presented the pure, holy principles of the law of God and spoke of the blessing found in obeying these principles. With authority from on high He enforced the importance of justice and mercy. 4
He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures. To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart. 5
Let us get on with the greatest work ever entrusted to a human being that of preaching the only remedy for man's social, political, economic, and moral ills--Jesus Christ!
1 Review and Herald, August 19, 1884.
2 Selected Messages, book 2, p 337.
3 Testimonies to Ministers, p. 331.
4 Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 218.
5 The Desire of Ages, p. 509.
