Voting as a Dual Citizen

As a Christian, American citizenship is not my most important identity. 

I read my Bible in the morning and my voter’s guide in the afternoon, and it’s crazy to think that the latter wouldn’t exist without the former. 

The entire reason I have the privilege of voting for my leaders and laws is because of the Bible. Many historians (even those who are not Christian) have convincingly shown that the values of personal freedom and equality (necessary for a democracy) came directly from Christianity. They simply were not valued, especially by authorities, prior to Jesus and the movement he started.*

Yet, in a crazy twist of irony, I wonder if democracy can sometimes make Christians forget their purpose. 

In a nation of “we the people,” we all get to be the government, which is pretty incredible, in light of history. But that power can make us fixate on being the government, when our primary purpose is actually to be the Church. 

It’s complicated. In America, governmental power is spread out over millions of people; we each get a tiny part, and we must approach this responsibility soberly and seriously. We must recognize that an effective government must exert authority. Protect the innocent. Punish evil. Put up boundaries. Limit freedom. Subdue enemies. 

Yet it’s very easy for this identity as a responsible American citizen to get confused with our higher, more important identity – a citizen of Heaven. 

When acting as the government (for most of us, that’s primarily when we vote), we may need to be authoritative, punishing, limiting, subduing. But as Christians, living according to our higher identity, we are called to live our ordinary lives defined by the opposite: being meek, forgiving, sacrificial, loving. 

Turning the other cheek. Doing good to those who persecute us. Carrying each other’s burdens. Being lavishly generous. Loving our neighbors. And who did Jesus define as our neighbors? Those who are our ethnic, cultural, and religious adversaries (Luke 10:25-37). 

I think that a big part of the problem in America’s Christian culture wars is the confusion of these two identities. One side says that Christians are too weak, permissive, and empathetic. The other side says that Christians are too strong, authoritative, and punishing. The truth is that we actually should represent both identities, but in different ways and at different times. We are dual citizens. 

This shouldn’t be an unusual concept. As a parent, I do this all the time. Sometimes I have to be the authority figure, setting boundaries and doling out consequences. But I want my kids to primarily know me as the person who loves them unconditionally, sacrifically, and without limits.

When we’re voting as a citizen of the United States, we must act in authority. When we are living as a citizen of Heaven, we must act in love.

What I see in the online Christian landscape is an over-fixation on our identity as representatives of the government. We argue, often viciously, over the best way to run the country. Though a biblical worldview should certainly inform what that looks like, sincere Christians are likely to disagree on the application. These conversations can be important and we need to listen to each other. 

But we must–we must–remember that this is not our primary identity. We cannot let our responsibility as voters overshadow our primary purpose: to tangibly love our neighbors, make disciples, and build Jesus’s Church. 

The Christian who votes for cracking down on homeless encampments must also put his money or time into helping those who are addicted and vulnerable. The Christian who votes for the government to expand welfare benefits must also remember that the poor find true transformation only through the gospel. The Christian who votes for stricter immigration laws must also extend a hand of friendship to her immigrant neighbor. 

Of course, voting should be a way of showing love to our neighbors. Hopefully, we are all voting in a way we believe is best for society as a whole, not just our own private interests. But changing the government cannot be the main thing, the highest priority, the biggest value. We cannot allow our identity as citizens of America to supersede our calling as Christians. 

This wasn’t hard for New Testament believers to understand, because having a say in their government was out of the question. Not even a notion. We have to remember that when Paul told them to “submit to the governing authorities,” including paying taxes and showing honor, he was referring to some pretty immoral men. 

So those believers put their heads down and tried hard to live at peace with everyone, while subtly doing some extremely counter-cultural things, like saving the lives of abandoned babies, breaking down racial barriers, lavishly giving away their wealth, and treating their once-slaves like brothers. In essence, they focused on being citizens of Heaven. We can learn from their example: election results can and never will stop us from living out our primary purpose. 

I’m incredibly thankful to live in a democratic nation. I don’t take this privilege lightly. But God forbid that this privilege becomes the main thing, when it was never meant to be. I seek the welfare of my nation, but as an exile (Jer. 29:7). I am not home yet. 

* The Air We Breathe: How We All Came to Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress, and Equality by Glen Scrivener is fantastic. Other authors on this subject are Tom Holland and Rodney Stark.