Voting for your president from a Biblical perspective

Deciding who to vote for in the presidential election on Nov. 4 is your privilege and responsibility. It is not my intent to tell you who to vote for, but to suggest some Biblical truths to consider in making your decision. I will do so in the form of QUESTIONS WE SHOULD ASK EACH CANDIDATE to enable us to cast a carefully considered and discerning vote. The Bible verses will indicate why these questions are critical. How each candidate would answer them greatly impacts our personal life and the blessings, peace, and prosperity of our country now and for future generations.

1. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE OUR COUNTRY'S ATTITUDE AND POSITION TOWARD ISRAEL SHOULD BE?

(Gen. 12:1-3) "The Lord said to Abraham...I will make you a great nation....I will bless those who bless you, I will curse him who curses you...and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

(Ps. 122:6-8) "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces."

Impact: To bless Israel brings blessings from God, to curse Israel is to be cursed by God. The events of history prove this to be very true.

2. WHO ARE YOUR CHOSEN COMPANIONS, FRIENDS, AND ASSOCIATES AND WHAT CRITERIA DID YOU USE TO CHOOSE THEM?

(1 Cor. 15:33) "Do not be deceived, bad companions corrupts one's morals."

Impact: You can tell a great deal about a person by the friends they choose, for it is a fact of human nature and Biblical truth, a person becomes like their friends.

3. WHAT PLACE DO YOU BELIEVE GOD SHOULD HAVE IN OUR NATIONAL LIFE?

(Ps. 33:12) "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." God promises to bless the nation whose God is the Lord.

Impact: The degree to which our country is blessed is determined by the God we choose to worship. Is the Lord becoming more the God of our nation or less?

4. WHAT IS YOUR BELIEF ABOUT THE BIBLE, AND WHAT PLACE DOES IT HOLD IN YOUR LIFE?

(2 Tim. 3:16) "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

Impact: What a person believes about the authority of the Bible as the Word of God and the rule and guide for their life will determine their beliefs, behavior, and lifestyle.

5. DO YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

(Prov. 1:7) "The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice of knowledge...but fools despise skillful and Godly wisdom, instruction and discipline." (Amplified Bible)

Impact: We now have several generations of citizens who, by Supreme Court rulings, did not have Bible teaching or prayer in school. What has been the result?

6. WHAT OR WHO ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN YOUR LIFE IN ORDER OF PRIORITY?

(Matt. 6:33) "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Impact: The order of priorities of our President will greatly determine every aspect of his administration. It is frightening to be under the control of elected officials who are themselves controlled by self-interest and/or party loyalty rather than the good of the country. Whatever happened to our founding fathers plan of, "A government of the people, by the people, and for the people"?

7. WHAT MAKES A PERSON A CHRISTIAN, DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF ONE, AND IF SO, WHY?

(John 1 1-13) "But as many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name; who were born, not of blood, man, but of God."

Impact: The Bible's definition of a Christian is very clear. Unless a person defines a "Christian" the same as the Bible does, their claim to being one holds little significance.

8. WHEN FACED WITH AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT DECISION, WHO DO YOU GO TO FIRST FOR COUNCIL AND ADVICE?

(James 1:5) "If any of you lack wisdom (knowledge, understanding, discernment) let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally, and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

(Prov. 2 :1-11) "For the Lord gives wisdom. From His mouth come knowledge and understanding."

Impact: When Vice-Presidential candidate Dan Quayle was asked this question in a debate, he quickly replied, "The first thing I would do is pray."

All Christians cheered, but many, especially the media, ridiculed him. I prefer a president who first seeks wisdom, knowledge, and understanding from God, not humans.

This list of questions is not all the issues important to Christians. Others are abortion, illegal emigration and same-sex marriages. However, views on these subjects have been addressed by the candidates. Factors such as experience, character, and ability to lead, and a proven record are also important. The ideal is these qualifications plus answers considered positive by Christians to the eight questions suggested above.

In summary: David Scott, whose daughter Rachel was killed in the Columbine High School massacre, got it right when addressing the U.S. Congress, said: "Your laws ignore our deepest needs. Your words are empty air. You've stripped our heritage. You've outlawed simple prayer. Now gunshots fill our classrooms, and precious children die. You seek for answers everywhere, and ask the question, 'Why?' You regulate restrictive laws, through legislative greed, AND YOU FAIL TO UNDERSTAND, GOD IS WHAT WE NEED!" (from BLACK BELT PATRIOTISM by Chuck Norris).

A 92-year-old lady told me as we discussed our country and world today, "I'm glad I am on my way out rather than on my way in."

I understand her feeling. But the truth is, this presidential election is not just about us. It is about the good and the future of our country. It makes me think often of my youngest great-grandchild, 3-year-old Sarah, and wonder: What kind of nation and world is she going to be living in?

The sobering fact is you and I have a part in determining the answer to that question by how we vote in this presidential election.

I encourage you to VOTE FROM A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE. If not for yourself, do so out of your love and concern for your children, grandchildren and their children, and for the future of our country.

We must not fail! (Dr. French O'Shields is a Gaffney native and a retired Presbyterian minister.)