Gospel Prism

I still haven’t made up my mind as to who I will vote for in the upcoming election. I must say though, this is one tough decision. But in reading that Wayne Grudem is voting for Mitt Romney, I had to find out why a theologian such as he would vote for a Mormon.

Here are his reasons:

Can evangelicals support a candidate who is politically conservative but not an evangelical Christian? Yes, certainly. In fact, it would demonstrate the falsehood of the liberal accusation that evangelicals are just trying to make this a “Christian nation” and only want evangelical Christians in office. For evangelicals to support a Mormon candidate would be similar to supporting a conservative Jewish candidate—someone we don’t consider a Christian but who comes from a religious tradition that believes in absolute moral values very similar to those that Christians learn from the Bible. Here in Arizona a few years ago I voted for Matt Salmon, a Mormon candidate for governor. He lost, but his policies would have been much more conservative than those of Janet Napolitano, who has now vetoed dozens of pro-life, pro-family bills.

Or have we come to the point where evangelicals will only vote for people they consider Christians? I hope not, for nothing in the Bible says that people have to be born again Christians before they can be governmental authorities who are used greatly by God to advance his purposes. God used Pharaoh, King of Egypt, to raise Joseph to a position of authority over the whole country, so he could save his people from famine (Genesis 41:37-57). God used Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, to protect and raise up Daniel and his Jewish friends to positions of high authority over Babylon (Daniel 2:46-49). God used Cyrus, King of Persia, to restore the Jewish exiles to their homeland (Isaiah 45:16; Ezra 1:1-4), and used Darius, King of Persia, to protect the Jewish people as they rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 6:1-12). God used Ahashuerus, King of Persia, to raise up Esther as Queen and to give Mordecai high authority and honor in his kingdom (Esther 6:10-11; 8:1-2, 7-15). In the New Testament age, God used the peace enforced by the secular Roman Empire, the Pax Romana, to enable the early Christians to travel freely and spread the Gospel throughout the Mediterranean world.

Here in the United States, God used not only Founding Fathers who were strong Christians, but also Deists such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, to build the foundation of our nation. Jefferson even became our third President in 1801, a demonstration of the wisdom of Article 6 of the Constitution, which says, “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

The Bible tells us to pray not just for Christians who happen to have government offices, but “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 Timothy 2:2). It is not just Christians in government but all governing authorities who are “instituted by God” (Romans 13:1) and whom Paul can call “God’s servant for your good” (Romans 13:4).

People may object, “But a lot of people won’t vote for Romney because he’s a Mormon.” I suppose there will be some people like that, but there are three current and historical facts that make me think that problem will diminish as the campaign goes on: First, look to Massachusetts, where Romney won the governor’s race in a very liberal state because people saw his competence and common decency and elected him, and his Mormonism didn’t matter to them. Second, consider the situation in Iowa, where there are a lot of evangelicals, and Romney remains the front-runner in the polls. Third, remember Michigan, where Mitt Romney’s father George was a popular governor from 1963 to 1969, even though he was a Mormon.

When people get to know who Romney is, his Mormonism seems not to be a big deal in a political election. The hypothetical question, “Would you vote for a Mormon?” is very different from, “Now that you have gotten to know who Mitt Romney is, would you vote for him?” The more voters get to know him, the more his Mormonism doesn’t matter much.

Now, who am I to disagree with such a reputed theologian who I greatly respect. And yet, I find some discrepancies in his biblical logic here.

First, while it is true that God used Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Ahashuerus, and the Roman Empire, that doesn’t mean that it was God’s revealed will to have such men rule over people. God is sovereign over all. One could say that God used Stalin or Kim Jong Il or Muslim persecution of Christians to grow His church. But that doesn’t mean that God’s desire was that such evil people should be a in a place of government.

Second, Romney’s Mormonism is such a heretical view of Christ that it smacks of nothing but sheer idolatry. I visited the Mormon Temple in Utah once and in it, they had a gigantic statue of Jesus. It was one of the most disturbing icons I have ever seen. The people who were leading me throughout the Temple as tour guides seemed woefully deceived. The whole experience was both saddening and disturbing. For a man who holds so strongly to a doctrine that completely deligitmizes the God of the Bible as the leader of the world is unnerving at best.

I know Wayne Grudem believes Mormonism is a heresy that is an anathema to God (Galatians 1). But you really do not get this sense from his article. And not coming down hard on the doctrinal errors of Mormonism sends a mixed message to the non-Christian. They seem Mormonism as another denomination of Christianity. And what’s even more scary is that Mormons see themselves in such a way as well. But to deny the Trinity undermines the very fabric of the Christian faith. Without a completely perfect Jesus as God and man, then the atonement cannot be achieved. Without the atonement, there is no salvation. Without salvation, there is no hope for anyone. Mitt Romney might be better on social issues, but will the voice of Mitt Romney as a Mormon president be mistaken for Mitt Romney as a “Christian” president? Will this send the message to the world that Mormonism, which sends missionaries all over the world to spread this false Gospel, has the blessings and backing of U. S. foreign policy?

Dr. Grudem says that Mitt Romney has led Massachussetts well. While it may be true, Dr. Grudem needs to remember that being a governor of a state has FAR FAR less influence than being the President of the United States. The governor of Mass. impacts millions of people in his state. The President of the United States has the ability to influence of billions of people all around the world. I am afraid Dr. Grudem is not condemning the heretical views of Mormonism strongly enough and he is underestimating the power of the U. S. presidency.

Third, Dr. Grudem says:

The Bible tells us to pray not just for Christians who happen to have government offices, but “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 Timothy 2:2). It is not just Christians in government but all governing authorities who are “instituted by God” (Romans 13:1) and whom Paul can call “God’s servant for your good” (Romans 13:4).

We should pray for our leaders, but that doesn’t mean we need to elect someone as our leader who is a Mormon. If Mr. Romney is president, I will pray for him, but I don’t need to vote for him.

I know, after all I have said, I must say, I have not yet made up my mind as to whether I can with good conscience vote for Mr. Romney. I am in agreement with Dr. Grudem, Rudy Guliani is not a better option. But Dr. Grudem’s arguments have not convinced me to throw my hat in with Mitt Romeny either.