As America approaches the 2026 midterm election, Gary Bauer challenges Christians to see voting not simply as politics — but as stewardship of the liberty they have been given. Roger Marsh and Gary Bauer discuss Christian discernment, media influence, religious liberty and why believers cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. Listen now to Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk as Roger Marsh sits down with Gary Bauer, Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Culture at the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, for a timely conversation about the 2026 midterm election. Bauer begins with Benjamin Franklin’s famous warning about America’s newly created republic: keeping it requires something from each generation. With the United States celebrating its 250th anniversary, Bauer argues that Christians have inherited an extraordinary gift of ordered liberty — and therefore carry a responsibility to preserve it for their children and grandchildren. The discussion turns to Christian discernment in an age of partisan media, incomplete information and competing political narratives. Roger and Gary urge believers not simply to absorb what they hear, but to test claims carefully and remain informed about the people and ideas shaping public policy. That biblical call to discernment echoes Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 10:16 to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Is Voting Part of Christian Stewardship? Bauer asks listeners to consider citizenship as something entrusted to them. Christians in many parts of the world worship under persecution or authoritarian rule; Americans, by contrast, possess the ability to peacefully choose their leaders. For Bauer, failing to use that opportunity is like receiving an extraordinary gift and refusing to care for it. The conversation also reflects the principle found in Proverbs 29:2: the character of those who govern matters to the people they serve. Gary expands on many of these same themes each week through the JDFI podcast Defending Faith, Family, and Freedom, where he examines religious liberty, American culture and public policy from a Christian worldview. “Let’s Roll” — Courage Aboard Flight 93 The episode reaches its most powerful moment as Bauer recalls the passengers aboard United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. After learning that other hijacked aircraft had already been used as weapons, passengers chose to resist. Among them was Todd Beamer, a husband, father and Christian who asked a telephone operator to pray the Lord’s Prayer with him before joining the effort to retake the aircraft. The National…
