Clinton, Trump, or Neither? 3 Views on the 2016 Presidential Election

Ron Sider, James Dobson, and Sho Baraka make the best Christian case for each choice.

In this series

As most readers know, a not-for-profit publishing company like Christianity Today has to remain not-for-prophet when it comes to (prophetically) endorsing a presidential candidate. That’s why in presidential elections of the past, CT magazine has opted to simply note the issues that divide the major candidates, or to feature profiles of candidates from the major parties. This year, we’re trying something completely different: advocacy pieces for each of the major party candidates from three evangelical leaders.

Some might wonder if we are legitimizing one or the other candidate by doing so. Not quite: For better or worse, our political system and fellow Americans have legitimized them. They are the major parties’ nominees. But given the unique controversies surrounding each candidate, more Christians than ever are seriously entertaining the idea of voting for neither candidate—thus the third article in the package.

Such election features are designed to help readers make “informed decisions.” (Also see our new election book, How to Pick a President.) We trust that this package will do just that. Yet given the complexities of this election, we’re sure our readers will need not just information but also some unearthly wisdom. —The Editors

Also in this series

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

The World Is Yearning for Beautiful Orthodoxy

Putting Our Money Where Our Eyes Are

A Decade of Change

Harold B. Smith

Where Kids Get Their Political Views

You Are the Manure of the Earth

Anthony B. Bradley

The Other 'Christianity Today'

The New Baptist Covenant: Will It Work?

News

Charity Navigator's Overhead Overhaul

News

Manga Mania

Alanna Foxwell-Barajas

News

Gleanings: October 2016

CT Staff

‘Why Christianity Today’ Revisited

The Cosmos Is Vaster than the Ancients Imagined

Chad Meeks

The Future of the Church Is Analog, Not Digital

Read Mercer Schuchardt

Do We Really Need More Breast Cancer ‘Awareness’?

Matthew Loftus

Reply All

Art Advocates

Testimony

I Found the Gospel in Communist Romania

Virginia Prodan

The Value of Friends Who Don’t Look, Think, or Vote Like You Do

Jimmy Carter: Pursuing an Arc of Reconciliation

Review

When Modern Medicine Becomes a False God

Rob Moll

5 Books to Read Before Voting in a Presidential Election

Peter Wehner

New & Noteworthy Books

Matt Reynolds

Excerpt

Why God Doesn’t Let Us In On Everything

James Dobson: Why I Am Voting for Donald Trump

Interview by CT Editors

Sho Baraka: Why I Can't Vote for Either Trump or Clinton

Sho Baraka

Ron Sider: Why I Am Voting for Hillary Clinton

View issue

Our Latest

Threatening Profound Evil Trivializes That Evil

Justin R. Hawkins

President Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth speak often of Christianity—but they seem to have no interest in its vision for just warfare.

The Iranian Church Persists

David Yeghnazar

Amid war, some Christians are evangelizing, preparing food for neighbors, and displaying other acts of generosity.

The Bulletin

Trump Threatens Iran, Artemis II Returns, and Anthropic’s AI Triggers Fear

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Trump kills conservatism, astronauts head home, and Claude Mythos Preview deemed too dangerous for public consumption.

Review

Are Christians Rude Dinner Guests?

Three books on politics and public life about the common good, ISIS brides, and Ronald Reagan.

News

The Mississippi Farmer Who Helped Resettle 150 Ukrainian Families

Hannah Herrera

As the US makes it more difficult for refugees to stay, Rodney Mast and his church community are rallying around their new friends.

Analysis

Two States Test a New Pro-Life Law

Pro-lifers have just won legislative victories to restrict abortion pills in South Dakota and Mississippi. But will the laws work?

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Dr. Bernice King: The Truth About Nonviolence

Calling the Church to lead with clarity anchored in love.

News

Nigeria Prosecutes Suspects of 2025 Christian Massacre

Emiene Erameh

Survivors hope for justice in the trial of nine men accused of the slaughter of about 150 Christians in Benue state.

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