Why Question Potential Presidential Candidates More About Their Faith?

Why Question Potential Presidential Candidates More About Their Faith?

In his article,"Asking Candidates Tougher Questions About Faith"
(http://nytimes.com/2011/08/28/magazine/asking-candidates-tougher-questions-about-faith-html?_=2), Bill Keller states that one out of three Americans believe that aliens dwell among us and he asks the question, "Will this affect your willingness to vote for them?" He would want to ask them questions such as where they get their information from.

In the same way, Keller believes that would-be Presidents should answer questions about their faith. However, we are sometimes hesitant to probe too deeply into this matter. Keller says that we need to "get over our scruples about privacy of faith in public life."

I tend to agree with Keller that those who are considering being leaders in our country should answer all pertinent questions regarding their faith and I, myself, being a Fundamentalist, born-again Christian, will share that I get my information from the bible. One of my primary beliefs is that the bible is the divine word of God.

1. In Romans, Chapter One, verse one, it states:

"Let every soul be subject unto the highest powers for there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God." This indicates to me that if we are to be subject to rulers whose powers are ordained of God, certainly, they should be willing to answer any and all questions about faith.

2. In 2 Timothy 2:15, it states:

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a worker who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." This indicates that people should be knowledgeable about what they believe and that it should be based on a sound understanding of the word of truth.

If these politicians are not just using "religion" to attract people, they will show themselves approved by God by answering questions about their faith in line with the "word of truth" that is contained in God's word.

3. In I Peter 3:15, it states:
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you in meekness and fear."

If God expects us to be ready to give an answer for our faith to every man who asks, then it seems to me that questioning prospective leaders about their faith is reasonable.

Lastly, why should we be interested in this and in bible-based reasons how to handle inquiries about the faith of future leaders is found in Proverbs 21:2:, which states:

"Every way of man i right in his own eyes, but the Lord pondereth the hearts."

If a man is basing his faith on God and believes in the Word of Fod, he is not as likely only to do "what is right in his own eyes", but what is right in the sight of God.

Similarly, in Proverbs 14:12, it states:

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

We need to know that our future leaders are not misled, only thinking and doing what is right "in their eyes" or "what seemeth right" but what IS right. We need to heed the wisdom and warningof Proverbs and of God's word in dealing with these issues.

In terms of questioning Michelle Bachman, obviously, the person who asked her the question was not familiar with the instructions in the New Testament regarding a wife's submission to her husband, which Michelle stated that she believed in. All she had to do was to quote Ephesians 5:22. Not everyone is familiar with this verse that is the origin of this particular belief.

The questionaire that Keller wants to use for the prospective leaders is reminiscent of voire dire that questioning that is used in jury selection. If the lawyers or the judge feel that the juror cannot be impartial or objective in reviewing the facts of a case, they are then excused from duty.

Keller's article also poses the question of how much of our Constitution finds the roots of its principles in the Bible? If the Constitution is in harmony with what God says, there would be no conflict if a "bible-believer" is in a position of leadership.

In our Pledge of Allegiance, we say we are "one nation under God with liberty and justice for all." This is another reason to ask questions about the faith of potential leaders.

Keller was also correct when he said that many churches attended by candidates are "mysterious". It is questionable where they are getting their information from - are they getting their information from the bible or from traditions of men and other teachings?

Ask questions to discern what the faith and beliefs of future leaders are, and how it will affect the performance of their duties because the fate of our country will be in their hands when they are elected.

Lady of Light