Should Christians sit out elections—or see voting as part of faithful citizenship? Roger Marsh and Gary Bauer make the case that the 2026 midterms demand serious Christian engagement, prayer and participation at the ballot box. On this episode of Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk, Roger Marsh continues his conversation with Gary Bauer, senior vice president of public policy at the Dr. James Dobson Policy and Culture Center and host of the Defending Faith, Family and Freedom podcast. Their focus is the 2026 midterm election and the responsibility Christians have to engage the public square rather than withdraw from it. Bauer argues that elections are increasingly shaping questions that go far beyond ordinary political disagreement, including abortion, religious liberty, education, sexuality, the role of government and the future direction of the country. Why Christian Participation Matters Marsh and Bauer emphasize that Christians possess both spiritual responsibilities and civic responsibilities. In a constitutional republic, voting gives ordinary citizens a direct role in determining who governs and what values shape public policy. They point to Jesus’ words about rendering “to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” as part of the broader biblical case for responsible citizenship. Bauer warns that when Christians voluntarily abandon the public square, they leave major decisions about life, family, education and freedom to others whose worldview may sharply conflict with biblical convictions. Vote Early and Make Sure Your Vote Counts A major theme of the program is the importance of early voting. Bauer encourages listeners not to assume they can simply wait until Election Day. Illness, weather, emergencies or other unexpected circumstances can interfere with plans, and he argues that Christians who intend to vote should do so as soon as legally and practically possible. The discussion also addresses ongoing concerns about election integrity, mail-in ballots, ballot harvesting and the importance of ensuring that legal votes are counted accurately. Whatever concerns voters may have about the system, Bauer’s message is clear: frustration should never become an excuse not to participate. Faith and the Public Square Marsh and Bauer also push back on the idea that Christian convictions must be separated entirely from political participation. They discuss contemporary political figures who invoke Scripture or Christian language in support of progressive policy positions while criticizing conservative Christians for bringing biblical principles into politics. Bauer argues that Christians should carefully evaluate political claims through…
