Blacks have historically voted Republican. You read that right. In the mid- to late 1800s, the Republican Party supported the freedom of slaves and eventually the abolition of slavery. Not until the 1930s did the black vote shift slightly to the Democratic ticket. From after the Civil War until President Roosevelt, blacks who could vote voted Republican. Due to the institutional racism of the Confederate states, freed blacks in the South were still prevented from voting by restrictive laws called "black codes." But as desegregation became a major platform issue, the natural response was a shift to the Democratic Party.

By the peak of the civil rights movement, the tides had turned completely, and in 1964 Lyndon B Johnson won the presidency with 94 percent of the black vote, the widest popular margin in American history. The majority of blacks have remained affiliated with the Democratic Party since. Naturally, I had been too.

My Journey

Growing up, I knew simply that the civil rights movement was powered by Democrats and that therefore Republicans were against us—against me.

Many of my debates were fueled by the assumption that Republicans were against black people. I became passionate about politics and obtained a degree in political science, interned with a New York assemblyman, and even got into law school (which I didn't attend). I was enthusiastic about the Democratic Party regardless of the issues and regardless of who was running. I was a Democrat—period.

then something extraordinary happened. I became a Christian.

God's Word says that when you become a Christian, the old self is gone. For me the new self was not only a newness of my heart toward God but also a newness of mind (Eph 4:22-24). I began to develop convictions that I had not had before, and began questioning much of what I had previously held so dearly. I began to examine the Democratic platform rather than simply vote the party line.

The transformation of mind was, well, mind-blowing. To be clear, I am not a Republican, and do not believe the party is synonymous with Christian values. On issues of education, health care, and immigration reform, I lean toward the Democratic platform. And though I have convictions about these topics, I am actually quite the Independent. But my approach to politics has changed. And there were a couple key areas where God began to change some long-held views.

Abortion

The change in my beliefs about abortion began with my own desire for children. As God began to reveal to me his heart for children, my thoughts, my heart, and my convictions began to change.

Article continues below

The Bible is filled with Scriptures declaring the great blessing children are. Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward (Psalm 127:3). A woman is in anguish during birth and forgets the pain for the joy that a human being has been born (John 16:21); and I am not to despise children (Matt 18:10). But the Scripture that ultimately changed my stance on abortion was Psalm 139:13. My idea that a fetus was merely a specimen was defeated by the Word. I couldn't ignore these truths. It seemed apparent to me that an unborn child was a person made in God's image. Therefore, I could no longer support abortions.

Though there are many pro-life Democrats, I had not been one of them. I had been pro-choice. This new conviction would inform my vote going forward.

Capitalism & Social Welfare

I was once nearly a Marxist in my views of the market. Now I can see the positive aspects of capitalism—even while I can't ignore God's care for the poor. In other words, God has led me to a more centrist view of wealth.

I've become more thankful for our free market society as I have gained a biblical perspective on work. I don't believe capitalism is the biblical model; God's Word doesn't indicate that. But it does say we need to work. As I read II Thessalonians 3:6-12, I imagine a man standing on a street corner with tattered clothes holding a sign, "Will work for food." By the sweat of our faces we will eat until we die (Gen 3:19). I believe God would be pleased that the poor man would be eager to work for his food. God has called us to work, not to receive while idle.

I am no longer a proponent for redistribution of wealth, and believe that people should work and earn wages of varying degrees depending on education, demand, and skill.

This is all while I continue to believe that God expects us to show the same love and favor he has shown to us to those who are lowly. I don't believe we should give away our money and resources to the government willy-nilly without any civic involvement or concern. But I do think we ought to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's" and "be subject to the governing authorities" (Matt 22:21-22; Rom 13:1-2), while praying for God's common grace and wisdom to be poured out on our governing authorities as they distribute goods and services to those who are poor, orphaned, or immigrants.

Recently I read an article that urged black Christian voters to "get over it." The "it," of course, is President Obama's support of same-sex marriage. The writer maintained that black voters have much more important issues to confront that should drive us to the polls to support Obama.

Article continues below

Here's the thing, Black Christian Voter: You can't do that. We can't separate who we are in Christ at the polls. No; don't simply vote the party line just because.

Christians live by the Spirit. Therefore, prayerfully consider your position. Ask God to lead you. Don't vote for someone out of unchecked habit or blind allegiance. After all, the question isn't who you vote for but whom you are led by at the voting booth.

Trillia Newbell is a freelance journalist and writer. She writes on faith and family for The Knoxville News-Sentinel, and serves as managing editor for Women of God Magazine. Her love and primary role is that of a wife and mother. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Thern, and their two children, Weston and Sydney. She's written for Her.meneutics about being a black, Reformed woman.

Posted: