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

Rick Perry - Prayer and the Presidency

Rick Perry's event, The Response, where 30,000 Christians gathered together and prayed for our nation, certainly was a very effective public event. I understand that it was planned about a year ago before he had any intention of running for president
and that it was the outcome of sincere faith.

However, he did define himself politically in line with the Conservatives and is just now preparing to officially announce his intentions to run for President.

Only God knows what was in the hearts of Rick Perry and those who participated in the Response, but I know that what they did is biblical and a response to God's promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 which states:

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

This verse was written after King Solomon had finished the temple and his own palace, the Lord appeared to him with promises and warnings. In the event that God sent drought, locusts, or pestilence on the people, they should humble themselves,...pray,...seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. Then he would forgive their sin and restore them. Quoted from the Believer's Commentary, William McDonald:

"Verse 14 may very well be the golden text of this entire book. Though originally addressed to the chosen nation of Is real, it has rightly been applied to those nations which have a biblical heritage. It is the sure road to restoration and revival for all times. If the conditions are met, the promises are sure of fulfillment."

Although this has raised some political controversy because of Perry's position,
those who believe in separation of church and state, this was not a political meeting, but an opportunity for people to respond to this wonderful promise of God, and to "storm heaven" for our nation and the needs of its people.

Lady of Light