"philosopher" in 1999 Mr. Bush answered, "Jesus Christ, because He changed my life."
Aside from Christ as a favorite philosopher, I wonder if Mr. Bush considers Christ his Savior
since I have yet to read or hear Bush’s proclamation of Christ as Lord over his life.
WhiteHouse.gov, however, offers the president’s Christmas message (2002) in which Bush
regards Christmas as the time to “celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ,” as well
as remarking Christ as “God's only Son, [who] came to Earth and gave His life so that we
may live.” Nicely stated, but it came on the heals of a dinner hosted by Bush at the White
House celebrating the “holy month of Ramadan,” which is not exactly what Christians
celebrate or should celebrate. I understand the value of diplomacy, but diplomacy does not
negate a Christian's responsibility to God. Bush’s actions leaves one confused about Mr.
Bush’s “Christianity.”
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are
ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:15,16).
Categorically, Christ wanted His followers to identify false prophets, and He presented a
guideline by which this could be done a posteriori, “by their fruit,” not by their words.
Issue by issue, I've intensely struggled of whether or not to vote for Mr. Bush in this election.
I've even consulted my pastor concerning the matter. Not surprisingly, most Christians find
my dilemma odd, as though Bush were the default candidate for all of Christendom. But I don’t
consider my dilemma odd and for valid reasons, and the fact that others do does not affect
me. The majority wanted Christ crucified; a mob mentality is destructive and irresponsible.
Therefore, one must consider the facts and make decisions in light of what’s right instead of
according to the belief of the collective. Remember, Christ holds a Christian accountable for
personal actions and not for the actions of the collective.
Please note: my "struggle" did not directly involve determining Mr. Bush's Christianity;
instead, it involved my vote, particularly as a Christian. The issues are what I considered
directly important to Christianity and its values, and Mr. Bush's actions as well as his words
were evidences used to judge Mr. Bush's value concerning a Christian's vote.
Evidence, biblically speaking, is sufficient as long as it is according to scriptural principles
(John 5:39). Evidence is a witness (such as DNA) and the testimony of a witness is evidence,
and adjudication requires two or three witnesses/evidences (1 Tim 5:19; John 5:31-36;
Deuteronomy 17:6). Since this is a spiritual matter, I possess a responsibility to God as well
as a natural inclination to judge righteously (1 Corinthians 2:15; Matthew 7:1-5: John 7:24).
All Christians share in this responsibility, particularly amongst each other (1 Corinthians 6:2-
5). Additionally, as a spiritual judge, I must not approach these matters with a cavalier
attitude, but with care and rigid scrutiny (Deuteronomy 19:18), for a wrong decision results in
disastrous consequences.
(Note: It is false doctrine that a Christian should not judge. Unfortunately, this false doctrine –
although relatively new, and regrettably, culturally paralleled – is extensively sermonized by
most church leadership and to the church's own detriment. Mainly, the false doctrine enables
the leadership to avoid confronting sins in the church especially, leading to a morally corrupt
church and community as well as, in most occurrences, an affluent and winsome leadership
resolute in preserving themselves. While this leadership considers judging "a needless
offense," they often employ judgments in order to substantiate their argument. Further, Christ
was called the "Rock of Offense" (Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8). This is a matter of semantics; "to
judge" could either mean "to determine" or "to sentence." Christians without the appropriate
authority cannot “sentence” for this is the role of government. Christians, however, in general
should make judgments, particularly those of the moral persuasion. Besides, "Christians
cannot/should not judge" is paradoxical; the doctrine is clearly a judgment, and when someone
states it is unbiblical to judge, then that person has committed himself to this paradox and -
by his own definition - acted unbiblically. "Christians cannot/should not judge" is a
hypocritical nightmare as well as a false statement.)
With that said, let’s summarily consider only four core, Christian issues: Abortion, the Ten
Commandments, homosexuality and God. There are many more issues such as “Faith-Based”
funding, fiscal irresponsibility and “No Child Left Behind,” but the issues of abortion, the Ten
Commandments, homosexuality and God are inarguably central to the Christian Body.
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