The Lesser of Two Evils or the Lessening of Evil

Every four years we are faced with the choice of selecting a President and its subsequent policy and moral implications. This year may be the most consequential in decades if not history. The candidates are set and already the debate over which to select or even whether to vote or not has begun and will certainly increase in weeks to come. Some are so sick of politics that they think that avoiding it all is the best option… but that approach is a dangerous course for us and our nation since elections have consequences.

Chuck Colson after his years serving as a member of the White House cabinet, said, voting “is our duty as citizens of the kingdom of God.” And quoting the church father St. Augustine, he added, “To be the best citizens of the society we live in… To do that, we must vote.” Some Christians have disagreed taking a pietistic approach of “keeping their hands unstained.” But Paul told us that government is an instrument of God (Rom. 13) that we participate in. So, voting is a necessary part of the process. And Dietrich Bonhoffer who faced significantly greater political challenges than we do, rejected the pietistic approach as contrary to a Christian’s citizenship.

Every four years I am frequently asked, “How do we know who to vote for?” It is an appropriate question. We sometimes hear that we must choose between the lesser of two evils. But perhaps a better approach is the one offered by Kevin Bywater. Bywater suggest that instead of voting for the lesser of evils, we should vote to “lessen evil.” Commenting on this John Stonestreet explained, “Not only does this approach better fit the political realities of our particular context, it recognizes the inherent limits of politics even while maintaining principle…On the issues that matter most (such as life and family), state and local races and ballot initiatives are incredibly important, especially now. Voting to lessen evil recognizes these cultural realities.” Now, let me add that voting to lessen evil, is not suggesting that we give a pass to a leader’s character issues, flaws, and failures. Or that there is no accountability. But given the options, it is about enabling the best possible outcome outside of a God led Theocracy.

Without a doubt, the office of the President wields great influence through executive orders that have moral implications for sure, but also because of his power to appoint non-elected officials that head agencies like, Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Justice, as well as Supreme Court nominations. These agencies generally carry out the expectations and agenda of the President. And as these go, so tends to go the nation.

I mentioned above the idea of a Theocracy. Essentially a Theocracy is when a nation or people are under the governing authority of God. It was God’s original intention for Israel’s government before they rebelled and demanded that God give them an earthy king. But we are not living in a Theocracy and so we must choose an earthly leader that we trust will lessen evil, restrain further evil, protect us from enemies within and without, and allow for, even protect, our religious freedoms and our free pursuit of God. So, as November approaches ponder, not the lessor of evils, but rather how voting can lessen evil.

Awesome August… One fantastic evening already in the book with Jim Cymbala with another to follow this Monday evening. Dr. Steve Gaines will return and bless us once more. Join us as we gather for outstanding worship and Spirit filled preaching.

And remember, God is always trying to take us someplace new. I love being your Pastor!

For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray

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