Before You Vote: Seven Questions Every Christian Should Ask

by David Platt

Is there a certain candidate or political party that all followers of Christ should support? What if I’m not sure whom to vote for, or whether to vote at all? Is it even possible to have strong political convictions without causing division in the church? In Before You Vote, David Platt helps us see that it is possible for followers of Christ to participate in an election with an authentic love for Jesus, counter-cultural unity in the church, and a clear conscience before God.Platt urges every Christian to ask seven critical questions before casting a ballot. These questions are based on biblical truths, not political talking points. As a pastor of a church in our nation’s capital, Platt’s message is non-partisan, practically helpful, and biblically saturated. Exercise your vote with humble conviction in a way that magnifies Christ, maintains unity in the church, and aims for the good of all people.

Genres: Christian, Politics, Nonfiction, Faith, Christian Living, Christianity, Theology

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2020

About the author

DAVID PLATT serves as Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C. He is the founder and chairman of Radical (Inc.), an international ministry that serves the church for the cause of Christ—to glorify God by making disciples and multiplying churches among all nations. Resources from David Platt and Radical can be found at radical.net.

Books by David Platt include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, and Something Needs to Change, as well as the following volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series: Exalting Jesus in Matthew, Exalting Jesus in James, Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, and Exalting Jesus in Galatians.

David Platt received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Along with his wife and four children, he lives in the Washington D.C. metro area.

Connect with David on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I (think) I get what Platt was seeking to do in this book - helping people weigh through various issues and choose the candidate that they think will be the most practically helpful for various issues close to the heart of God.

I think the book is helpful for understanding the thought process of Christians who vote Democrat, and will help maintain unity among Christians who disagree about how to best fight for the poor and for the lives of the unborn.

That said, I think the only God-honoring choice for believers is to vote for the values and issues that are most pressing / urgent. The slaughter of unborn children is so horrific that it cannot, must not, be juxtaposed to any other issue. I could not vote for Hitler, no matter how much it seemed like he helped some other people.

Platt leaves too much room for folks to vote for a party that celebrates and pushes what God hates in the name of compassion for the poor. *The church* must care for the poor and pursue unity among all races of people. The means of doing so should not be through leaders that are anti-God at every turn.

We’ve just got bad candidate options this go around. You have to vote sum total values in this one or not vote at all.

“Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Rom. 14:22). Let each one be fully convinced before Jesus - he will stand or fall to his own Master when he gives an account on that day.

Above all, we need to love each other well when believers disagree. We need to bear all things and be eager to pursue righteousness and unity. Being patient with one another, urging each other to Jesus’ heart on every issue.

Praise Jesus, when the dust settles, he will be on his throne. Ruling with absolute sway and authority. May his kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Maranatha, Lord Jesus!

[Jon Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

A few good points, especially warning against using the phrase “gospel issue.” But really bad moral reasoning on how to steward a vote. Instead of providing biblical instruction, Platt leaves the application of biblical morality to individual interpretation. Voting for Biden or Trump is acceptable. You’d think a pastor would be able to understand political philosophy (basically) and explain to congregants what comports with Christianity. Instead, he breaks everything down into individual issues and opens the door for pragmatic moral concerns applied to each issue. Simply bad moral reasoning.

[KCC · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is nothing practical about following Jesus. It costs you everything. At MBC, David invites you to embrace it and follow the absolute truth and clarity of the bible. Always.

Except when voting.

According to this book, when you vote, you should create a chart that guides your thinking and captures what YOU believe has the greatest practical consequence for making progress in the world. If ending abortion is not practical, but reversing climate change is, vote that way. You can be really passionate and moved about the only issue involving infanticide, and see great biblical clarity on it; but put those thoughts aside if you feel building infrastructure or windmills has a more practical consequence.

Two questions on practical consequence.

(1) Where can this approach be found in the bible? If it is OK to effectively ignore biblical clarity in favor of practical consequence, then does David fight Goliath? Does Abraham bind Isaac? Who drops their nets to follow Jesus? Does Jesus die for us?

(2) What is the practical consequence of voting for someone that is on the wrong side of an issue where there is biblical clarity? Doesn't it effectively mean that you have decided to stand with them in favor of their position?

WWJD?

When a politician votes in favor of allowing a living child from a failed abortion attempt to die in a comfort room, are we to believe them when they speak of how uncompassionate and evil their opposition is on issues? Does their decision on that child's life cast light or darkness? How can we trust the words of any individual, in any party, on any issue, when they cannot make the simple and correct choice to protect and save these innocent lives?

Isn't there another way to vote that is Christ-honoring? Or did Jesus ask us to think only of the practical consequence?

[Joelendil · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are Christian who claims to live by the principles of God's Word, you should read Before You Vote by David Platt. All too often, professing Christians act as if certain biblical principles are somehow suspended during election season. Getting "the right candidate" elected takes on a higher priority than love for our neighbor, unity in the church, or the pursuit of holiness. This should not be!

In this short book, David Platt uses seven questions to help Christians keep a proper focus and God-honoring mindset while deciding how to vote and while interacting with those who decide differently. This is a non-partisan book, and not like those "non-partisan voting guides" that carefully curate their questions so as to push you toward a certain candidate or party. Platt recognizes that different Christians who have the same commitment to biblical truth may weigh issues differently and arrive at different decisions on who they can vote for in good conscience. He interacts with biblical principles, not party platforms. His seven questions are:

1. Does God call me to vote?
2. Who has my heart?
3. What does my neighbor need?
4. What is the Christian position?
5. How do I weigh the issues?
6. Am I eager to maintain unity in the church?
7. So how do I vote?

Question seven is kind of the odd one out. Rather than focusing on a biblical principle, it fleshes out Platt's personal system for weighing issues (using two hypothetical examples rather than his own personal position). This provides a method for organizing thoughts prompted by questions 1-6, but it is not necessarily the only way to do so.

My one (very) minor quibble with the book is an omission that I found surprising. When Platt discusses voting options, he speaks of the three options for "stewarding your vote" as: voting for the Democratic candidate, voting for the Republican candidate, or "convictional inaction" (choosing to deliberately refrain from voting in a specific race if you cannot in good conscience vote for either major party candidate). Missing is the option of voting for a third party candidate. While very similar to "convictional inaction," it is different enough (you are expressing your conviction in a way that will be tabulated) that I think it should have been mentioned.

Overall, this is one of the best books I have read on Christian engagement with the political process (see also How the Nations Rage by Jonathan Leeman). It is a much-needed reminder that we may disagree on issues of conscience, but such disagreement should not cause us to lay aside love for our neighbors and unity of the body of Christ. To borrow a few phrases from Romans 14 (where varying convictions about food have become a divisive issue in the church): Let us each be "fully convinced in his own mind" because "everything that does not come from faith is sin," and "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food" or, in this case, for the sake of votes.

[Benjamin Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book to help find a framework to view politics with.
“…the way to sin on election day is to steward your vote apart from faith in Jesus”
Good reminder to put my ultimate allegiance with Christ and not a candidate or party. The grid he uses is also a useful tool for analyzing different issues according to both “biblical clarity and practical consequences”

Still left with a lot of questions though. Funny how that works.

[Michelle Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short. Sweet. To the point. Read this gem in a couple hours. Platt does a fantastic job of exemplifying Biblical truth & equips voters with some practical tools to utilize when weighing what issues determine which way you vote. Which in my opinion, can be a very challenging task since there’s nothing in the Bible teaching a 21st century Christian how to vote in a two party democratic government that covers a plethora of issues.

Worth the read, even three days before the election!

[Tim Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a bold and biblical little book that is practical in helping the Christian voter seek the Spirit of God before they cast their ballot.

[Jonathan Song · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful primer through the introductory questions that believers should ask themselves before voting. You can read it in a day or so as it is meant to be a short and sweet survey of the discussion. Platt's aim throughout the book is to hold a "third" way for the Christian; one that recognizes the Lordship of Christ and the inadequacies of voting believing the in "salvation" of another candidate. Repeatedly he wants the reader to understand how Christians can come to different conclusions at the ballot box, and his chapter on biblical clarity vs. practical consequences is extremely helpful in parsing out the reasons why voting cannot be a black and white issue(or perhaps more pointedly, a Red and Blue issue). He writes with patience and clarity against the idea of single-issue voting, which is a feat to his pastoral wisdom and scriptural application.

Less helpful(and I freely admit that this is depending on who you are) is the prescription for determining the choice of your vote, which is oddly the concluding thoughts of the application of the book. Platt asks the reader to make a quadrant of all the significant issues surrounding the candidate and asking the Christian to fill in their opinion on the issues determining biblical clarity and practical consequences. While such a diagram might appear helpful for some, I worry that this allows Christians to rate the importance of Biblical commands in a indivualistic manner (ie. My truth vs. God's truth). While it is true that the bible does not state position policies for a myriad of divisive issues and that Christians can disagree on those particulars, a ranking of biblical clarity by a person's own choice is confusing at best and subjective at worse. Knowing Platt's heart, this is the kind of self-determination that I know he fights against constantly, so it was puzzling to find that here.

I believe the book is great in its first six chapters and its conclusion which leads the reader through a gospel rich and biblically full journey. That alone I believe makes it worth the read. Definitely recommend for those who are looking for a primer on Scripture and understanding the nuance of the vote.

[Brice Karickhoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this before I go vote because the title convinced me it would be quite applicable. And it was! Not, however, in the way many cynics might suspect. This book was the furthest thing from an endorsement of any political candidate. Instead, it was a call to prioritization, perspective, and most of all, unity. Overall, I really got a lot out of it.

The last chapter provides a nifty gridded tool to help you think about how you vote on different issues, so the book did get pragmatic towards the end without ever taking a side. The tool was engaging enough that I actually used it, which is impressive, because I rarely interact with books when they ask me to. The book was a little too short and to the point to get 5 stars. I didn't necessarily enjoy reading it as I was reading, but other than that, I thought it was a good book across the board.

[Mallory McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started reading this book to prep for a leader meeting but it was super helpful to me personally. It was super short and practical with constant reminders that Jesus is King of Kings above any government or politician. I’ve never read a book about politics from a Christian lens (Drake was surely not assigning those in my classes lol) and this was really helpful in thinking about the upcoming election. Read it if you have two hours in the next few weeks!

[Karina Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful resource in differentiating THE Christian view vs. A Christian view on the issues. I appreciate the emphasis on church unity and the encouragement to 1) honor Christ and 2) seek the good of our neighbor with our vote.

[C.T. Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can imagine many people will walk away disappointed or even frustrated with a book like this. In my experience interacting with people, we often want things to be black and white, right or left. And in our current societal dialogue there isn’t much room for nuance or careful thinking. Instead, there’s a constant pull towards one extreme or another, and you must take a side.

But in this book (along with sharing foundational biblical truths about government) David shares wisdom for how to use discernment on an issue that isn’t always so cut and dried: voting. You may not finish this book knowing how you want to vote, but you will have some tools and concepts for discerning your way forward. In the book, you will also encounter relevant passages from God’s Word about human governments and how Christians are to relate to them.

[Jeremy Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate David Platt's zeal for knowing God, loving the poor and marginalized, and wanting to live in a manner that is biblically consistent and contributes to unity in the church. The way he opened the book with the famous surprise visit by Trump in 2019 where he prayed for the president was a fantastic introduction. Furthermore, I generally agreed with his answers to the questions he poses; however, the way he addressed question 5: How do I weigh the issues? (and expanded it in question 7) was rather disappointing.

He effectively gave an Eisenhower matrix-style approach with biblical clarity x practical consequences. Evaluating biblical clarity as the 'first and most important factor' in our decision-making is good for any aspect of life, and so applying that to political calculations is natural. But the second one, practical consequences, raised huge red flags. Similar to other reviewers, I am concerned this process allows Christians saturated in a postmodern culture to pick and choose which clear biblical truths they want to vote by and let their party politics drive the supporting theological arguments, rather than the other way around. More cynically, it seemed well-suited to simply defend why Christians should be fine with voting for Democrats, regardless of their increasingly anti-life, anti-religious freedom stances.

Interestingly enough, John Piper recently released an article discussing politics and voting that echoed some of the same things Platt says in this book, and Wayne Grudem wrote a response thoughtfully disagreeing with Piper's approach. I agree much more strongly with Grudem on this than with Platt or Piper, but I am grateful to see actual conversation on these issues rooted in wanting to honor Christ, continue friendships through disagreements, and maintain civility. Our churches and culture could do with much more of that and less of hateful division.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not entering into America making me have to dive back into facing the political front ah! This was a reread but still so helpful and practical in how we think about politics in a way that I believe honors one another in the body and makes much of Christ as our King.

[Ryan Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a very helpful book. Each chapter (besides chapter 1, more on that in a bit) provided a new discussion on a topic that’s very relevant when discussing politics. For example, chapter 2 was about having our heart primarily focused on Jesus, chapter 3 on love for neighbor, chapter 4 was a warning on how to use the term “Christian position,” chapter 5 was about weighing the issues, chapter 6 was about church unity, and chapter 7 gave a very helpful grid on how to assess candidates and voting. All this was very well done. Particularly, I loved and will remember his two categories for assessing issues: 1) biblical clarity, and 2) practical consequences. And for this, I’d give 5 stars.

My biggest issue of the book was chapter 1. There he essentially tries to make a biblical argument for why we should vote. And although he does admit the Bible never says we should or shouldn’t, and although he leaves room for some people to not vote (but only out of a purposeful political reason), he essentially says that we should vote. His argument is that because we can vote, we are part of the governors (not just the governed) in Romans 13. From this, he argues that “our vote is a unique privilege and responsibility that God has entrusted to us by his grace” (28).

Unfortunately, that’s just taking it too far. How can he say that votings a privilege and responsibility God has entrusted to us? Where is that in the Bible? Ironically, he’ll later on in the book discuss issues that aren’t directly addressed in Scripture, and warns that we must not use strong language (like “the Christian position”) to talk about them when the Bible doesn’t. But here in chapter 1 he kind of does that by saying that God has entrusted to us to vote, when in reality the Bible never says that. Again, even if it is wise to vote (which I think it very well may be), we can’t say God has entrusted to us the responsibility—that’s a moral imperative at that point (like how God has entrusted to us the gospel, the Great Commission, etc.).

But besides that first chapter, a really commendable and helpful book. Besides chapter 1, I recommend it fully.

[Amy Grenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must read, even if it’s after the election. I admire Platt for talking about an issue most leaders shy away from. The unity of the church is at stake these days and it can be worrisome. This book brings to light so many issues Christians have in their thoughts and speech about politics. If you can’t see the other side, read this book. If you can’t understand why anyone would ever even consider voting for ______, read this book. If you think you’re 100% right, read this book. If you are confused as I have been, read this book! If you don’t care about politics, read this book.

While I’m disappointed because I was really hoping it would help me decide who to vote for, it instead taught me something I am more thankful for. Instead of just resolving the frustration I feel, it taught me how to think Biblically about the times we are in. It taught me to value others who are made in the image of God and not just my own experiences and situations. Platt makes a good argument to look at the immigrant, widow and orphan and steward your vote for others- not yourself. It has taught me to never, ever add to the Bible what the Bible does not address. And most of all, it’s reminded me that while God is sovereign over these strange times- just because one person gets elected and another doesn’t, does NOT mean God endorses that person. The only person God has ever endorsed is Jesus Christ. I can rest in that.

[Rachel Dasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/4 ⭐️ Highlights of this book include: cementing the importance of Biblical unity and how to work towards that in disagreements and differences of opinion, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate hope, regardless of any worldly circumstances and preferences

Ultimately, I did feel a bit unsatisfied by the book...I left with questions about weighing Biblical clarity on a variety of issues and what our role is as believers in stewarding our vote well, while still holding to the convictions we feel, especially in the face of a flawed political system. Maybe it’s not fair of me to expect David Platt to provide answers, and maybe that’s the point. This book left me with questions that ultimately prompt me to wrestle with God and think critically about these issues, helping me to further see him as my ultimate source of hope, peace, and truth.

[Larry Kloess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such an encouragement to me, and is filled with such incredible biblical wisdom and discernment and reason throughout. I love Platt’s words on the final page as he exhorts Christ followers to glorify God with our vote on Election Day, stewarding our vote while rooted in our faith in Jesus: “Do not be faithless on that day when you cast your ballot. Do not trust in yourself on that day. Do not trust in a candidate or a party on that day. Do not trust in anyone or anything but Jesus on that day. Make the stewardship of your vote the overflow of radical trust in Jesus, his Word to you, his Spirit in you, his rule over you, and his reign not only in our nation, but over all the nations.” ... “Lord, may your kingdom come.”

[Elysa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read! And my favorite thing about this book is the practical insights David Platt gives about weighing issues and making prayerful discernment. This is not a book about Platt's own political views or thoughts on how everyone else should vote. Rather, this book offers thoughtful questions and scripture to help Christians turn to God and reframe political questions with His ways and His Lordship in focus. This has changed my attitude about voting in the coming election but has left the discernment about how to vote between me and God.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book to every Bible-believing, gospel-embracing Christian. Even after the 2020 election. Platt asks seven questions and the answers are incredibly important when it comes to stewarding your vote.

He touches on the inevitability of having trade-offs when it comes to choosing a political candidate, how 2 Bible-believing, gospel-embracing Christians can differ when it comes to politics, and the importance of recognizing Jesus as King and maintaining unity within the Church.

Easy, quick read!

[Andrea]

In a way, a comforting read. Platt separates what matters most from the other things of consequence. He reminds Christians of the indisputable parts of life under Christ the King first and a government second. Then he gives freedom beyond those core essentials. But the giving of freedom doesn't leave one to flounder. His specific questions and particularly his grid approach in the last chapter helps you feel like you have a solid process for political decisions.

[Peter West · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book with such a quick turnaround, it is well done. It is not typical David Platt reading. But the topic needed a quick response. It is clear that Platt understands the issue and responds with a Pastor's heart by giving followers of Christ clear direction, fix our eyes on Jesus! He even said it sounds cliche but it is what the follower of Christ must do. I truly appreciated his words on loving each other when we disagree on the non-essentials. That seems to be a place we all need to get back to. The questions are convicting, especially the one of "who has your heart?" I encourage all followers of Christ to read this over the next weeks leading up to the election.

[Andrew Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, but definitely not going to give you a revelation from heaven on who to vote for. Does provide good perspective for how we can steward our right to vote and how the church's relationship with politics should look.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely important work by Platt that couldn't have come at a more crucial time. I know that the 2020 Election just passed, but this is a good read for any Christian (regardless of partisan affiliation) in this current age of American politics.

[Kris Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An empathetic plea to the Church to represent Christ first.

[John C. Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treatise, really, on how to approach the responsibilities of democracy in a Biblical manner. It’s especially useful for those people who are uncomfortable being a one-issue voter, even when that issue is exceptionally important. I highly recommend this thought provoking little book.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. I wish I would’ve read it years ago. Voting is such a conundrum but Platt was able to offer some solid guidance and thought-provoking questions

[Laura Elmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really valuable insight on how Christians (a word he defines) could have differing political opinions. Worth read, especially for unity in the Church.

[Joe Koehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Platt offers 7 valuable questions for thinking through political elections in this little book. While not entirely new thoughts, Platt takes solid biblical principles and helps readers think about voting in light of these principles. Personally, I love charts and numbers, so Platt's "Biblical Clarity v. Practical Consequences" chart was perhaps the most helpful part of the book for me. Platt also makes a strong appeal to Christian unity (though could have provided a little more depth here) and rationale for how
Christians can be united even if on different side of party lines. He also did well highlighting that Christians ought to vote with others' rights in mind more than their own rights.

[Linton Phillips · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was really really bad… while I agree with the premise that there’s no obvious Christian candidate or party, the author would have done us a better service by tackling the key issues of the day from a Christian perspective or biblical view. Instead his focused on biblical “unity.”

He summized we should try to find other Christians that disagree with us politically to further understand them. He never gave an example of how letting children transition sexes without their parents knowledge is arguably a biblically view and in any way could be supported by a party. Never offered a biblical perspective for open borders where anyone is welcome in without checking their history. Didn’t give an example of the biblical reasoning why porn should be read to second graders and the party that supports this view.

I respect David Platt and JD Greear (the pastor who recommended this book). But, it was a failure and I’d rather they spend their time preaching UNITY in TRUTH instead of watering it down in these pages.