It now appears that the 2024 presidential battle lines are finally drawn, barring an admittedly unlikely surprise at the Democratic National Convention. Perhaps at no other time in my life has the phrase “we are living through history” been more appropriate, at least as it applies to our nation’s highest office politics. To be sure, events like Lyndon Johnson deciding not to run for reelection in the 1968 race for the White House and then Watergate and its ensuing fallout of the early 70s should rank right up at the top. However, nothing in our recent prior presidential elections reaches the magnitude of the various intricacies that have befallen this particular cycle of 2024.
Who would have imagined that our nation would ever see a sitting president forced out of the race after winning every primary leading up to his presumptive nomination? Then who could have predicted that someone like Vice President Harris could be elevated to replace Mr. Biden on the ticket without ever having to face the voters on a primary ballot? Regardless of your favorable or unfavorable opinion of Ms. Harris’ abilities, her apparent rise to the leadership of her party is quite a remarkable adventure filled with unanswered questions about the entire process that led her and the Democrat party to this point in time.
On the Republican side, there are no doubt a few oddities as well. In fact, Mr. Trump’s surprising ascendancy to the presidency in 2016 and his defeat in 2020 certainly offer an interesting story in themselves. Coupled with all of that was the strangeness of voting in the last election during a defined “epidemic,” which had its own set of newsworthy changes to our voting patterns. Again, depending on your point of view, these oddities combined with at least a perception of voter irregularities and alleged election fraud, may or may not have altered the outcome. Regardless, if Mr. Trump is indeed successful in his endeavor to return to the White House for a second term, it undoubtedly will be one of the greatest political comebacks in the history of American presidential politics. Not to be overlooked in the civic annals of this whole process and in the midst of our current history lesson, there is the added issue of the attempted assassination attempt on the life of Mr. Trump and the lack of clarity arising as yet from the investigation of those events.
Based on all of this, and more, there clearly has been an unprecedented upheaval in how we are going about the process of selecting our nation’s primary leader. With only about 30 days left until the first ballots will be cast in some states, there is a cloud of confusion in the minds of most voters, at least those who are not vehemently tied to a preconceived notion of party or personality. In a political race like this one, the attempted development of a favorable aura surrounding a particular candidate often forces the important issues of the campaign into a backseat position. This media-driven marketing of a candidate often comes down to the creation of a practical avatar that hopefully will be acceptable to at least 50.01% of those who choose to vote. Unfortunately, this alter ego may or may not be who or what they are once the election is over and it comes time to govern.
Unfortunately, more and more, and certainly in this election cycle, these caricatures turn out to be comic book-type heroes who do not bring out the best in each other or in the voting populace. Hence, the vitriolic approach to becoming electable has become the norm, and voters are literally forced to make a decision between at least two candidates who are flawed and who enter the fray as heavyweight boxers and not as statesmen or stateswomen. As an example of this phenomenon, right now, each side would have us believe that the other will totally destroy our American way of life on the first day in office.
Unfortunately, if we, as Christians, are not prudent enough to look behind the curtain, we may be suckered in by the rhetoric and the public persona as defined by untrustworthy proponents. We cannot forget to pay attention to our obligations as both a citizen of the United States and ultimately as a citizen of the Kingdom of God. It is simply imperative that Christians keep in perspective the greater calling on our lives. In Ephesians 5, Paul tells us how we ought to act as Christians in days just like those in which we are currently existing. After admonishing his readers about sexual immorality and impurity, he goes on to say, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not become partners with them.” He goes on to tell us that we “should walk as children of light” and that we need “to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Admittedly, these tasks may be difficult when to some extent both political parties and both of our presidential candidates have significant “warts” to deal with. Yet, Paul continues to insist that his listeners should “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Finally, he also urges us to “Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
With this valuable scripture in mind, we at Southern Evangelical Seminary, urge all Christians to participate in this upcoming election. But as you do so, it is imperative that you also prayerfully seek the will of God before casting your vote. Be aware, not only of the polished persona of the candidates put forth by their respective campaigns and the media, but also of their underlying positions together with how they have governed in their present or previous political positions. We would not be so bold as to tell you who you should particularly vote for or against. However, it is not only necessary that you vote, but that you do so keeping as close to Paul’s instructions as is humanly possible. There are underlying stark political realities and distinct and often diametrically opposed positions to decide between, yet we must choose and choose wisely.
In the final analysis, however, we need to remember that God is in control, not the Republicans or the Democrats. America may or may not be on a descendant plane, but at Southern Evangelical Seminary we know that Christ and His Kingdom will ultimately prevail. Though the kingdoms of darkness may seem oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. Regardless of the outcome of this, or any other election, the truth of the Gospel message, the only truth that matters, will go on even if this nation we love becomes an afterthought in the pages of time.
After a successful career as a lawyer and judge, Judge Phil Ginn retired as the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for the 24th Judicial District in North Carolina. Throughout his 22-year judicial career, he had the privilege of holding court in almost 50% of the county seats in North Carolina. Currently, Judge Ginn serves as the president of Southern Evangelical Seminary (ses.edu) and is a regular contributor to Christianity.com and The Washington Times. Judge Ginn has also been featured on Fox News, CBN, Newsmax, Decision Magazine, The Christian Post, Townhall and many others.