I recently had the privilege to attend the annual AACS legislative conference in Washington, D.C. One of the highlights was our White House briefing with President Bush sharing some thoughts "off the record" about his time as President. In addition, I also attended a congressional briefing and several other seminars. I particularly enjoyed hearing David Barton from Wallbuilders. His presentation challenged Christians to develop a Biblical basis for evaluating the agenda of a political candidate.
    As the November 2008 Presidential Election approaches , the candidates have announced their positions on dozens of diverse issues ranging from soaring energy costs to global "climate change," from terrorism to education, and from health care to government spending. Each candidate is appealing to voters of faith claiming that his particular agenda will benefit the religious community. How does a Biblical voter cut through the flowery promises and create a framework by which to evaluate the opposing claims?
    Because the Scripture unequivocally declares that "Righteousness exalts a nation" (Proverbs 14:34), then those issues that directly impact national righteousness should be foremost in Biblical voters’ minds in the upcoming elections. Only God-honoring policies that lead to God-honoring actions can exalt a nation. So, how can a nation achieve God-honoring policies?
    God-honoring public policies in a nation are the result of God- honoring public officials enacting those policies. In America, the only way there will be God- honoring public officials is if our citizens elect them. In the 1820s, Noah Webster reminded the citizens of his day: " The scriptures teach… that rulers should be men who rule in the fear of God, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness… it is to the neglect of this rule of conduct in our citizens that we must ascribe the multiplied frauds, breaches of trust, speculations, and embezzlements of public property which astonish even ourselves."
Therefore, the first and foremost consideration in choosing elected officials is whether that individual will advance policies upholding Biblical standards of righteousness and oppose policies that encourage what the Bible defines as unrighteous behavior.
    The Bible does establish priorities in national righteousness, and David Barton notes these as the highest ranking issues:
        1. Appointing originalist judges
        2. Protecting unborn human life
        3. Opposing the ennoblement of homosexuality
        4. Publicly acknowledging God and honoring Him in policy
    As we cast our votes in November, these should be considered the Biblical non-negotiables that a Christian should verify about a candidate.
    For the sake of this generation as well as future ones, we must be active citizens. As John Hancock admonished, "I urge you by all that is dear, by all that is honorable, by all that is sacred NOT ONLY THAT YOU PRAY BUT THAT YOU ACT." (Emphasis mine.)
    The responsibilities facing God-fearing citizens in this election are somber ones. The potential repercussions from our actions (or lack thereof) are both far-reaching and long lasting. Wherever civic indifference rules among Biblical persons of faith, wrong principles and policies will abound; therefore, when it comes to sound government, the greatest enemy is not "them" but rather our own complacency.

Excerpts from "The Bible, Voters, & the 2008 Election" by David Barton