According to the the Bible, "For this world in its present form is passing away." (1 Cor 7:31b). Initially, Christianity was not about national boundaries - it really has never been. When the faith was brand new in imperial Rome under the rule political leadership of Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus, that is Tiberius - the 2nd Emperor, it spread, according to the New Testament, from Jerusalem into North Africa, and into modern day France, and Turkey (ancient Asia Minor). They were not trying to change the government,. They were trying to change the hearts of men and women.
American Christians with the idea of voting for the most good to “minimize evil and maximize righteousness” are operating with a flawed perspective. Yes, we want freedom of religion, but our desires are not the same as God's will. Furthermore, a candidate's position on issues like abortion (a woman's "rights") or salvation (merit-based) should not overshadow what the scriptures teach. The implication that you are in sin if you do not vote is unhealthy—it removes God from the equation and condemns Christians. While guilt and fear can motivate, they do not typically come from a spiritually healthy place.
American Christians who generally promote voting for Trump because it supposedly does the most good and minimizes evil, are adding fuel to a dangerous fire that has already been kindled—and Satan is laughing at us. The goal of the faith has never been to build a Christian utopia or make any nation more Christian or righteous. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles are overtly and explicitly eschatological, meaning they point to the return of Christ. 2 Peter 3:10-13 couldn’t make this clearer. Our faith, then, includes (a) as individuals, living godly and righteous lives, and (b) encouraging others to seek and follow Jesus.
One example of a Christian who teaches the "vote to promote the lesser evil" idea but should knows that a Christian utopia is not the goal of the faith is Mr. Ken Ham. I think he would generally agree with what I have written, and while I differ with much of my brother's theology, I respect his bold desire to proclaim the gospel and reach out to the lost. Yet, there are no biblical principles or teachings that imply an American Christian who does not vote or votes for a candidate who personally promotes or supports abortion should be condemned, either in practice or theologically. It's just not there, and promoting such ideas is not helping.
Instead, like the early Christians who stood out in the Roman Empire against the flawed and careless value systems and practices of their time, we should stand out against the racial and political anger and hatred that is tearing the U.S. apart. We should love in our rhetoric and behavior. We should pray for the candidates. Like the early Christians who took in babies left to die out of compassion, we should show such compassion today. This is not "social justice," but unconditional love that must also include the gospel message. We want to encourage people to turn to God through Jesus Christ and submit their ethical, moral, and spiritual beliefs and practices to what is clearly taught in the Bible. When a person turns to God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, they will not promote or practice false sexual and gender ideas, they will not preach or teach that it's okay to get an abortion, or abuse drugs or alcohol. Sure, people in Christ struggle, but as Peter wrote, "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." This is the primary "ought to" that comes from loving God and loving our neighbor while we are in this world. Voting for the candidate that will minimize evil is not part of that message. As it is written, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?" (See 1 Corinthians 5:12).
As Christians, we can show the world and the nation how to avoid race riots, anger, violence, and division based on worldly ideas that belong to this world. Abortion and LGBT beliefs and practices belong to this world, and "what business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?" Instead, part of our apologetic is to call Christians to righteousness (preventing moral failures that occur all too often) and showing the world a better way—even if it costs us our lives. Dying at the hands of a godless society may not seem like the "most good." Having candidates and political leaders that promote death or the rejection and suffering of the faithful may not seem like "minimizing evil." However, just as in ancient Rome, we are not called to fix or change the government—although if we can live in a society that allows Christianity to thrive, then yes, let's do so—but instead, we are called to be salt and light. We are in the world but not of the world. Let's represent Christ and be part of the truth, not part of a political solution that will not and cannot last—at best, it's a band-aid on a problem of the heart, not a problem that legislators, executive-branch officials, or courts can ultimately resolve.
