Some churches like to cast lots to decide things, so I thought I would look at this practice from a Biblical perspective. the main argument I have heard for this process is that Matthias was picked that way (Acts 1:15-26).
First of all, it was narrowed down to two candidates first after prayer and voting. This part is usually skipped in modern churches.
Secondly, casting lots also could have been a voting mechanism. Maybe each voter cast his lot for who he wanted to win the election.
Thirdly, throwing names in a hat to pick out by people who want to run, was not done. If you were not going to vote first, why not put all the eligible names in the hat. Many times only one name is in a hat. How is that letting God decide? Why not put blank names in to give God the option to veto the candidates.
More importantly, when someone says something is Biblical we must always ask ourselves if the action done in the Bible is descriptive or prescriptive. Acts 6 discusses selection by peers and appointment of church leaders. Acts 14 discusses appointment of church leaders. Therefore, we must conclude that Acts 1 is descriptive, not prescriptive. It is not a model, not a command, and has no promise associated with it.
Furthermore the Old Testament practice of casting lots as a way of letting God decide things was never mentioned after Pentecost in the Bible or in the early Christian church. In the last days, God works though people. prayerful voting is better (Joshua 14:2, Proverbs 18:18, Exodus 28:30). God works through his means. Apostles had "supernatural" powers, that did not get passed on as discussed here.
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