Imagine you lead a church where members aren’t just interested in the presidential election. For many, their very job depends on the outcome. Imagine that same church is the kind of place where the president might drop by nearly unannounced.

David Platt doesn’t need to imagine, because that’s his church, McLean Bible Church in Northern Virginia. Never one to shy from controversy, Platt has written a new book called Before You Vote: Seven Questions Every Christian Should Ask at a time when many pastors would rather discuss just about anything else before politics.

Platt’s book includes lots of counter-cultural advice, saturated with biblical references on humility, freedom, and duty, along with his characteristic perspective informed by the global church. I appreciate David being willing to answer difficult questions, including:

• Is it our Christian duty to vote?
• Does single-issue voting on abortion differ from voting against genocide or slavery?
• Do you need to support President Trump in order to be a real Christian?
• Would you do anything differently if President Trump dropped by your church again?

We need more church leaders willing to help bring God’s Word to bear on our voting and discipleship in the political realm more generally.