Is it permissible for a Christian to vote for a Mormon for President?

The July 16 issue of World Magazine focused on Mitt Romney and had an article where two opposing views were given on the question, "Can an evangelical Christian vote for a Mormon?" I wish to give my two cents on this issue.

Timothy Lamer who answered that question with a "yes" noted the following: "...making sound theology a requirement for our vote will often leave us without any candidate to support." I have never felt that statement more powerfully than recently with Michelle Bachmann's absurd claim that Hurricane Irene is God's warning to Washington.  Oh really? Did He reveal that to you in a dream/vision? Is that hidden in the Bible somewhere? Did I not decode that part of the Bible Code correctly?

He continues by noting, "Christianity, we should remember, is not designed to win popularity contests. A presidential candidate trying to appeal to the majority is unlikely to espouse crucial facets of a religion whose Messiah is a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" (1 Peter 2:8) and whose adherents are told to expect the world's hatred (John 15:18-19). Presidents seek to unite people; Christ came to divide them (Luke 12:51). Unbelievers, moreover, seem to be acceptable biblically to serve in public office. When Paul wrote Romans 13—which commands obedience to civil government—pagans were the chief government officials in Rome. This suggests that unbelievers can serve God's purpose for government, and that evangelicals, in good conscience, can vote for a non-Christian if he's the best-qualified candidate for president."

Warren Cole Smith who answers "no" to the question reasons thus, "The real question is whether supporting a Mormon for president promotes Mormonism. My answer to that is yes. Electing a Mormon to the world's most powerful political office would dramatically raise the profile and positive perception of Mormonism. That is why I cannot in good conscience vote for Romney, despite agreeing with him on a good many social and fiscal issues." 


Lamer's arguments seem to be better supported biblically than Smith (who gives no Scriptural support for his answer whatsoever). Certainly Jesus' acceptance of Caesar as the ruler did not mean Jesus was in 100% agreement with everything the Caesar said or did. An evangelical voting for Romney (or any other Mormon) does not mean that person accepts everything Romney says and believes.

I do believe religious belief is an important matter in deciding on whom to vote, but let's face it. The only perfect candidate for office for an evangelical Christian is the Lord Jesus Christ. Guess what? He took office 2000 years ago and is still in office today. No human candidate is going to perfectly line up with our beliefs (even evangelicalism is a big-tent term that embraces varying understandings of theology).

It's a thorny issue. I do not believe America is a "Christian nation" per se, but I do believe the Declaration of Independence lays down America as a "moral nation" according to Judeo-Christian precepts. One could argue that it's a "moral nation" according to "natural law" which would probably be a more accurate way of putting it. (I would argue that any legitimate "natural law" is in accord with the Christian faith since God is the creator. Thus I could agree with both of those descriptions of America as a nation).

Hence, it seems to me that my vote should be for the one whom I believe will best  represent and set forth laws and policies that are in accord with "natural law" morals and principles legitimately derived (read: not in opposition to Scripture since that is the ultimate standard). Thus, for example, I cannot vote for one who supports abortion, selects those who support abortion to sit on courts, and supports Marxist policy holders to key economic and leadership positions. Wayne Grudem seems to espouse this position in his book Politics According to the Bible. Grudem even states that in Romney's first candidacy he supported Romney (although he now feels he can no longer support Romney).

I would vote for an unbeliever if I felt their experience, leadership, character, and belief values in accordance with Scripture were the best possible mix of all of the available candidates. Common grace seems to be an element here in that at times the morals and other views espoused by other religions and cults can line up with Biblical values, even if the foundation is not there. Thus, to answer the question of this post, it does seem to me permissible for a Christian to vote for a Mormon for President.

Please don't take this as an endorsement of Romney though. I have not decided whom I will support for the Republican nomination, but I believe Romney is a viable option for me to support.

As always, the Lord is the Lord of conscience and I have no qualms with those who cannot vote for a Mormon in good faith.

Soli Deo Gloria