Whom to Elect?

That question is actually not for me to answer, and, for that matter, is not even something that is in our control. After all, one vote, or even several votes, will not make a difference. Even the hanging chad controversy in Florida that settled the closest election in U. S. history, back in 2000, was settled by 537 votes, amazingly close, but still, more than a handful. The American way is to have the freedom to vote your conscience, and so you should, mindful of your civic duty. And the vote a political decision every American is free to make.

That said, there are some Biblical issues that relate to political questions. Chief among these is the duty of a government to defend its people, as St. Paul says: “[The government] is God’s minister to you for good . . . a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:4).

This is why a government that proposes or supports defunding the police, or refuses to quell riots, is not doing its duty. I also think a government that seeks to suppress or limit my freedom to gather for worship, even if that is in the name of limiting a pandemic (all the while looking the other way when rioters gather), is not doing its duty, Such a government is not behaving as God’s minister to me for good. I have many other strong opinions that lead me to want a limited government that does not overtax me and does not seek to be the provider for all my needs, or get its hands on a host of matters that are not really its duty at all.

But above all, without question a government that permits abortion is not doing its duty.

This is simply because abortion brutally kills helpless infants. Sometimes with saline solutions. Sometimes with forceps and scissors. While politicians debate about women’s rights, these prenatal infants are being slaughtered. That is indisputable. Abortion is something that should never have been legalized, any more than it should be legal for a man to murder his neighbor. As it is the government’s duty is to protect its people from murderous neighbors, so also is the government in duty bound to protect its children from doctors and mothers who would abort. No mother should be permitted to choose whether or not to kill her children, and that is the simple reason abortion should be illegal, as it once was. Because all fetuses are babies.

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is known for its strong pro-life stance, and this is commendable, especially in view of the government’s abdication of its responsibility when it comes to infants.

One thing I will say with tears, on behalf of all the helpless victims, the bleeding, brutalized, dying infants: any politician who favors abortion will never have my vote.

And one thing is clear: though “civilized” nations may choose to rationalize a way of consenting to the “legality” of this unspeakable horror, the millions of dead infants and their murderers will surely not be forgotten or ignored at the coming of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

And whatever the results of this election, the same truth obtains as has ever been the truth: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And he who is the Author and Finisher of our faith is also, still, the true Governor of all things, who sits upon the throne of his glory, at the right hand of the Father.

And as another election is upon us, a prayer for the nation is in order:

“O God, who in this land hast made the people the ministers of thy just rule: So turn their hearts unto thee that, holding their citizenship as a sacred trust, they may guard, defend and use it according to thy will; and that, serving thee with willing, joyful and obedient hearts, they may cherish their freedom as a blessing of thy Gospel, and strive to bring it unto all peoples; through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.” — Service Book and Hymnal (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1958), 224.