The question of our title is similar to other questions that have been asked. Can a Christian be a lawyer? Or, can a Christian tend bar?
Those questions speak of the morality of the two occupations. While I believe that a Christian could certainly practice law, there are certain types of lawyers who seem, if they do their job successfully, to violate Christian morality.
However, when I ask the question, “Can a Christian be President?” I am not so concerned with the ethics of the job; rather, I am referring to the electability of a Christian. I am convinced that one who truly holds to the teachings of Jesus Christ would be considered an extremist, and would have no chance of being elected to the highest office in America.
The current presidential campaign illustrates the point. A recent article on the ABC news website, entitled, Controversial Religious Advisors Bring Scrutiny, has as its subtitle, Political Candidates Gently Distance Themselves from Controversial Views of Political Advisors. The article provides details which seem to support my thesis that a Christian would be unelectable.
Each of the three remaining viable candidates have their problems. For example, John McCain has accepted the endorsement of a televangelist that has called the Catholic church “the great whore”, and a “false cult system.” McCain has responded to criticism by saying, “It’s simply not accurate to say that because someone endorses me that I therefore embrace their views.” This despite the fact that McCain appeared with the televangelist at a news conference, and said that he was “very honored” to have received his endorsement.
Barack Obama has a “pastor” who has publicly stated that the United States brought the attack of 9/11 upon itself by its own terrorist acts. Though he maintains his membership in that church, Obama distanced himself from his “pastor’s” teaching, saying the man was “like an old uncle who says things I don’t always agree with.” Obama uses such diplomatic rhetoric to curry the favor of a portion of the black population that holds militant views, without alienating whites.
Hillary Clinton’s religious background, from the time she was the first lady, is decidedly liberal. She and former President Clinton attended a Methodist church in Washington D.C. while he was in office. The church has recently begun to “recognize and honor committed gay relationships” in their worship services.
It is not so important to note that some of these positions are likewise repugnant to faithful Christians. The point is that they are extreme positions. We must realize that as faithful Christians we hold many moral positions that would be considered “extreme” by our society. The Bible teaches that homosexuality is an abomination before God (cf. Leviticus 20:13); by implication, that abortion is murder (cf. Luke 1:41); that most people who divorce and remarry in our society are adulterers (cf. Matthew 19:9); that many Americans are immodest in dress (cf. 1 Peter 3:3-4); that the use of alcohol is immoral (cf. 1 Peter 4:1-3); that much of the entertainment produced in our society is immoral (cf. Galatians 5:19-21); that most religious people have departed from the doctrine of Christ, and therefore stand condemned before God (cf. 2 John 9-11); and we could go on and on an on.
While Presidential candidates must be centrists, and not offend any, (in order to be elected); as Christians we must not fail to declare the “whole counsel of God” (cf. Acts 20:27). Our purpose is not to curry the favor of all. Rather, it is to convict the sinner of his sin, and to correct those who have taken a wrong path. The Christian must not compromise!
