Should Scripture Influence Our Political Leanings?

Yes, most definitely. I'm not a theonomist, nor am I a strict Christian Re-constructionist. But I do believe that scripture should inform our every thought, movement, and certainly worldview (presuppositions, framework of ideas, and beliefs through which an individual interprets the world and interacts with it) as individuals and as a collective body acting on behalf of a present and future kingdom. Consider the following:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness ; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

That's right. EVERY good work. So, if we have any concept of what is good, and want our lives to be good, then it certainly must be informed by the word of God.

Apart from a relationship with God, and doing things in His name, there is no good work, because "...we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6). Filthy rag is pretty nasty in this context - having to do with a woman's cycle - referencing one of those things which were absolutely unclean according to the Jews. We can do no good in and of ourselves, it is only through God's grace and affect upon our lives through the counsel and leading of the Holy Spirit that we can do anything truly good. I can hear the choruses of people objecting to this, saying "what about the Dalai Lama?" (or other such holy figures that having nothing to do with Christ). Answer: what seems good to us, affecting good will toward men in the absence of a love first for God, is actually filthy and disgusting in God's eyes. His definition, not mine.

Though I don't believe that any throne or political power can adequately represent the righteousness of God in this fallen world, I certainly believe that we will be accountable for our actions to represent God to this world, to affect the greater good or even affect minimal good by fighting the greater evil. We have the responsibility of representing God in such a manner in this country - through representatives, by voting them into office. We are (relatively speaking) responsible for what our elected representatives do on our behalf. So it really is our responsibility to vote for the one that will best represent the kingdom of God in a fallen system. If you're looking for normative proof from the scriptures, it's defined a bit loosely by the selection of tribal representatives in the kingdom of Israel, as outlined by the Mosaic law (no, we're not under the law, but it certainly represents a level of wisdom that can be effected in different manners). That's in Exodus 18, Numbers 31, 2 Samuel 18, 2 Chronicles 1, and 2 Chronicles 25. Though more hierarchical in nature, the model of leadership by representation was instituted by God.

In light of this, I'd like to cover which political philosophy might more closely align with the scriptures in my next post.