Creation - Voting that best reflects who God is

He created humans in His image to represent him by ruling and working (‘have dominion’) the created order according to His character and purpose. (Genesis 1:26, 28; 2:15)

How does our duty to reflect the image of God affect your voting?

Let’s look at some attributes that God shares with humanity (what systematic theologians call ‘communicable attributes’). This can be one grid for you to prayerfully consider when thinking about candidates and parties to vote for:

[Here, I am indebted to Wayne Grudem’s book, ‘Christian Beliefs’]

God is truthful (Jeremiah 10:10) – All his knowledge and all his words are both true and the final standard of truth. Which party and which candidates, to the best of their abilities, present themselves and their policies and actions in as transparent and truthful a manner as possible? Vote for them!

God is good (Luke 18:19) – All that he is and does is good and worthy of approval. Which party and which candidate best expresses general goodness, and more specifically goodness to their fellow man, granted, in however imperfect a manner? Vote for them!

God is love (1 John 4:8) – God eternally gives of himself for the good of others. As best they can, which party and which candidates give of themselves, and place as their primary goal the good of others and not the accumulation or personal power and wealth and influence? Vote for them!

God is holy (Psalm 99:9) – God is completely separated from evil. Despite sinfulness in themselves, which party and which candidates seek to put in place policies, and act in a way that shuns and does not propagate evil? Vote for them!

God is righteous and just (Deuteronomy 32:4) – God always acts in accordance to what is right for he himself is the final standard of what is right. Which party and which candidates play fair, and to the best of their abilities, have ‘renounced disgraceful, underhanded way’ (2 Corinthians 4:2) and sought to be honorable and, without fear and without nepotistic favor? Vote for them!

God’s wrath (Romans 1:18) – Unlike human wrath, God’s wrath is always righteously directed towards sin and sinfulness. God hates sin. He intensely hates all sin. There is such a thing as righteous anger. Which party and which candidates display at least some level of distaste, if not hatred against sin, injustice, oppression, and inequality? Vote for them!