Why does Tim Challies find this wise or insightful?
10 Guidelines for Christian Voters
APRIL 22, 20161) Make God’s Word your primary voting guide. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 110:105).
2) Pray before casting your vote. Ask the Lord, first, for guidance as you vote. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him…” (Prov. 3:5-6). Pray also for the candidates even the ones whom you do not like. “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
3) Vote for a candidate who upholds Christian principles. Are his/her views on important social and moral issues biblical? Religious freedom. Will the candidate hinder you from exercising your faith in Jesus Christ, or will he/she protect your liberty as a Christian? Sanctity of human life. Will the candidate promote abortion, or will he/she fight for the sacredness of life in the womb? Marriage. Will the candidate endorse (so-called) “same-sex marriage,” or will he/she uphold the biblical definition of marriage—a union between one man and one woman only? Each candidate should be evaluated in light of these and other moral questions. As followers of Christ, we must not “give approval to those who practice” what God has declared to be morally evil (Rom. 1:32). . . .
Mass incarceration of African-Americans?
Policing and victims of urban crime?
Free trade?
Immigration?
Middle-eastern foreign policy?
National sovereignty?
This “Christian” counsel does nothing for the common good. But it is the perfect identity-politics for Christians to push back against gay or transgender or adultery advocates. Booyah!
Old Life 
If one was to incorporate all of the guidelines, then we would be voting for Godot for each office.
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These guidelines aren’t bad as a whole but why is the emphasis always on these three (religious freedom, abortion, same-sex marriage) morality/religious issues and never on policies that promote loving your neighbor? I have friends that are admittedly one issue (abortion) voters yet do nothing in the way of reaching out and showing compassion to those considering abortion. Why show neighborly love when you can just fill in the oval next to the pro-life candidate in the far-fetched hope that this candidate will appoint judges to overturn a decision that’s been upheld for 40+ years despite conservative majorities each branch of government.
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Scoff, mostly ding.
But if the Bible is our guide, where is the candidate who favors the Year of Jubilee and the cancellation of debts? Or is this the sort of question that suddenly turns the values voters into serious Bible readers?
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Zrim, agreed.
Guidelines 4-10 are fine but are really common sense to me, not something I must hear from my pastor before visiting the voting booth.
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Scofflaw,
Good summary of what constiutes the very limited mindset of conservatives. There is one point though not in your list which is a hugh one – guns. I’d love to know why so many conservatives are more passionate and knowledgeable about the right to bear arms than loving ones neighbour. My take is that the thinking and influence of John Rushdooney runs deeper and has more weight on such matters than is appreciated. Also movers and shakers like David Barton, Gary North and Kevin Swanson to name just a few, along with a host of largely home schooling para church set ups massively influence and basically guide a supposedly Reformed and evangelical generation.
Julie Birchill’s book Influencing God’s Kingdom ( which I first saw mentioned in OL) has deepened my understanding of these Reconstructionist conservatives who now have a vested interest in none other than carpet bomb Cruz. Cruz the dominionist as President of the USA? It really could happen.
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Someone who cares enough to visit Challies’ page tell me this: is one of his guidelines “How Will This Candidate Edify My Wife?”
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