Yes, Beto O’Rourke exposed the Democratic party’s agenda Thursday night. And yes, that agenda must keep genuine Christians from supporting any Democratic candidate. Please, as you read this article, know that I in no way want to discourage Christians from supporting voting. And adherence to Biblical  principles absolutely must shape what we do at the ballot box.

O’Rourke’s proposal to strip churches and Christian institutions of tax exemptions troubles me, but it in no way surprises me. I began this blog shortly after the Obergefell decision precisely because I knew the legalization of same sex marriage would inevitability lead to the persecution of Christians who believe the Bible. And no, I’m not a prophet. God didn’t speak to me or give me a vision, It’s simply a logical conclusion.

Beto O’Rourke did nothing more than bring the truth into the open.

Naturally, I feel concerned. The implications are massive for any church that stands for Biblical sexuality. And churches (like the one I belong to) that have ties to a school have even more to lose if the government actually does use taxation to impose the LBGTQ agenda.

But I’m equally concerned by the attitude of the religious right that we can fight the new sexual revolution through political means. Voting in accord with Biblical values is necessary for our testimony, certainly, but expecting to “make America great again” ignores the very teachings of Christ and the apostle Paul.

Christ never promised that Christians would bring the world into subjection to Him. On the contrary, He made it clear that prior to His return society would break down.

⁹ “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. ¹⁰ And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹ And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. ¹² And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. ~~Matthew 24:9-14 (ESV)

No promise of a Christian America there, I’m sorry to say. Jesus actually painted a bleak picture of humanity’s future prior to His return. He said nothing about political leaders maintaining a culture that would uphold Biblical values, nor did He tell His followers to look for such a culture.  In His kind providence, there have been times throughout history that Christianity has enjoyed a measure of influence, but those occasions have not been the norm. Let’s not mistake His providence for His mandate.

Paul also depicted society as constantly pulling away from Christ and His values. Several passages come to mind, but one in particular shows that we have no reason to expect culture to conform to Christianity.

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. ² For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. ⁶ For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, ⁷ always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. ~~2 Timothy 3:1-7 (ESV)

Hmm. Paul’s prediction doesn’t mention anything about resisting this downward spiral. Not a syllable about trying to reform secular culture in any way other than proclaiming the Gospel. As a matter of fact, Paul expects moral deterioration in society as a whole, and he doesn’t charge Christians with the task of cleaning it up.

As Christians, we both can and should vote for candidates who promise to uphold Biblical values. And, to the best of our ability, we should avoid supporting any candidate who would undermine those values. But our votes should be more about maintaining our own integrity than about fighting to hang on to a supposed Christian culture.If we remember this principle, we can face the first Wednesday of November 2020 with confidence.

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