With the presidential candidates finally set, many Americans are feeling more disillusioned than ever with their choices. The ongoing political upheaval could still lead to changes, but for now, every citizen faces a crucial decision: whether to vote and, if so, how to cast their ballot.
Chuck Colson, after leaving the White House, never publicly endorsed any political candidate. His legacy, through the Colson Center, maintains a commitment to this stance. However, he did emphasize the importance of voting. As he wrote, “It’s our duty as citizens of the Kingdom of God to be the best citizens of the society we live in. To do that, we must vote,” drawing on St. Augustine’s wisdom.
Some Christians struggle with this call to vote, especially when neither major party aligns perfectly with their values. With the Republican Party moving away from its pro-life and pro-family stances, voters concerned about these issues may find themselves choosing between candidates with conflicting views. For instance, the Democratic nominee is notable for being the first sitting vice president to visit an abortion clinic, and his vice presidential pick has promoted controversial gender ideology in schools. On the other hand, the Republican nominees advocate for leaving abortion decisions to individual states.
Choosing not to vote to "keep our hands clean" can be a form of pietism rather than true Christianity. James clearly states that failing to do good when it’s within our power is a form of sin. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, facing much graver political circumstances than we do, rejected pietism as contrary to Christian responsibility. Christianity, he argued, must be lived actively, even amidst the tumult of life.
So, how should Christians approach voting? While many describe it as choosing the “lesser of two evils,” my former colleague Kevin Bywater offers a more constructive perspective. He suggests viewing voting as a means of “lessening evil.” This approach aligns more realistically with the political context and recognizes the limits of politics while upholding principles. It acknowledges the moral shortcomings of candidates but still aims to achieve good through voting.
In American politics, the “lesser of two evils” mindset often overemphasizes the significance of the presidency. As Chuck Colson frequently reminded us, “Salvation will never arrive in Air Force One,” and neither will the apocalypse. Issues crucial to life and family are heavily influenced by state and local elections and ballot initiatives, which are especially pertinent today. Voting to lessen evil takes these cultural realities into account.
The presidency is significant, particularly because of the thousands of appointees who shape policies and regulations. The heads of departments like Health and Human Services (HHS), Education (ED), and Justice (DOJ) have a substantial impact, as do judicial appointments. For instance, President Obama’s HHS Secretary mandated contraceptive and abortifacient coverage for employees, regardless of religious beliefs. The absence of Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Coney Barrett might have prevented the Dobbs ruling. Since Dobbs, there have been numerous department-level actions to advance abortion rights, and Title IX regulations continually shift under each administration.
The influence of unelected officials highlights systemic flaws in our political structure, as well as flaws in the candidates who make these appointments. Voting to lessen evil should not be about justifying poor character but rather about striving for the best outcomes possible while recognizing that the Church’s most crucial work extends beyond politics.
Chuck Colson observed that the Church had become dangerously polarized into politicized and privatized views of faith, neither of which truly reflects historic Christianity. To address these issues, the Colson Center has created a free video series titled Why Vote? Courageous Faith in an Election Year. For a free download, visit colsoncenter.org/whyvote.
Ultimately, our hope rests not in politics but in Christ. We are called to engage thoughtfully, discern wisely, and, to the best of our abilities, uphold what is good and work to lessen evil.