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

News

Died: John M. Perkins, Who Lived and Preached Racial Reconciliation

The civil rights leader believed in a gospel bigger than race or self-interest.

Review

Decoding the Supreme Court

Three books to read this month on politics and public life.

The Bulletin

Cost of Iran War, Quiet Southern Border, and Anglican Church Split

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

The financial and moral toll of war, immigration slows but ministry continues, and why denominations split.

The Year of the Evangelical

America prepared for a bicentennial, and religious identity dominated the presidential campaign.

Q&A: Eric Mason on Ministering to Men and Witnessing in Politics

Interview by Benjamin Watson

The Philadelphia-based pastor discusses how the church can engage Black men and have a biblical approach to government.

Review

‘The Secret Agent’ Explores Memory and Authoritarianism in Brazil

Mariana Albuquerque

The Oscar-nominated film reminds viewers to learn from the past—and to share our stories with the next generation.

Jan Karon Looks Back on 89 Years of God’s Faithfulness

The author of the Mitford Years series married at 14, protested segregation, and wrote her first book at 57.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Michel Lusakueno: Why the World Can’t Ignore Congo

Exploring the sobering connection between modern convenience and human suffering.

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