A 1984 Assemblies of God voter guide resurfacing online delivers a message Washington doesn't want heard: your salvation doesn't come from the ballot box, it comes from faith, family, and community—not a bureaucrat or a party.
Why it matters: while Washington plays petty ballot games—Democrats allegedly recruiting same-name candidates to confuse voters in Alaska—Christians are being reminded that when political loyalty becomes their primary identity, the gospel gets diminished. The founders built this nation in taverns, reasoning about liberty under God. They didn't wait for a savior in the capital.
The Deseret News published a pastoral argument this week that the earliest Christians' confession "Jesus is Lord" was itself a revolutionary political act—not because they sought Caesar's throne, but because they announced Caesar's throne was never ultimate. In the Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus was celebrated as a divinely favored ruler bringing "good news" and peace. Then came followers of a crucified Jewish Messiah announcing a different Savior and King.
"When political loyalty becomes our primary identity, we diminish the gospel," the pastor wrote. "Instead of being the truth-telling conscience of political parties, we become puppets of political parties."
The resurfaced 1984 voter guide, shared by historian Daniel Isgrigg, lays out ten principles that cut against the grain of today's partisan tribalism: don't confuse patriotism or Western culture with Christianity; don't confuse campaigning with the church's mission; verify information before sharing it; refuse slander and rumors; evaluate candidates with honesty; don't vote for someone simply because they claim to be Christian; don't neglect family, worship, or scripture for political activity; don't treat fellow Christians as adversaries over political differences; and keep your ultimate allegiance centered on Jesus Christ rather than any candidate or party.
That wisdom lands hard against the current landscape. Newsweek reported this week that Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin was forced to address allegations that aides to Alaska Democrat Mary Peltola instructed a staffer to find people named Dan Sullivan to run against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan—apparently hoping to confuse voters. Raskin called it "stupid politics" and "ridiculous politics" but admitted "it does happen." Peltola's former campaign manager told The New York Times the candidate was "definitely aware" of the effort, though she later sought to retract the statement and the campaign denied involvement.
Meanwhile, President Trump complained that Alaska's ballot didn't sufficiently distinguish the two Sullivans, arguing that "a lot of people don't know what incumbent means." Raskin shot back that Trump should "speak for himself." The ballot identifies the senator as "Dan S. Sullivan" with his party and the label "Incumbent." The challenger appears as "Daniel J. Sullivan Jr." without party designation.
Two stories, one lesson. On one side: Christians being told their hope belongs somewhere higher than the state. On the other: Washington operatives literally recruiting decoy candidates to manipulate voters. The 1984 guide didn't say abandon politics. It said let your convictions be shaped by something more durable than a party—because the parties will always play you.
The question isn't whether believers should engage politics. It's whether they'll remember who their King is when the ballot tricks start flying.
