Who Is the Best Candidate?

As Americans prepare to vote for the next President of the United States on November 4, 2008, many things are going through our minds, not the least of which involves the issue of faith and its effect upon the candidates' positions regarding key issues. The question, "Who is the best candidate?" is being debated far and wide and even, in many cases, within the individual minds of the voters. Have you made up your mind yet?

Both of the presidential candidates have expressed faith in Jesus Christ. During Rick Warren's interview with both men, John McCain said, "I am saved and forgiven," and Barack Obama went into a bit more detail about his personal relationship with Christ. Joe Biden is a Roman Catholic who grew up in a very pro-life area: Scranton, PA. And Sarah Palin has Pentecostal leanings and expresses her conservative, evangelical stance quite articulately.

In the early days of Logos International Fellowship, the forerunner of the present company, Bridge-Logos, we published a series of "instant books," including People's Temple--People's Tomb, which was published within a month after the infamous mass-suicide that took place in
Guyana. We also published The Miracle of Jimmy Carter a few months prior to Carter's election as the President of the United States. A few years later we published Regan in Pursuit of the Presidency. Both Carter and Reagan were elected, and both expressed faith in Jesus Christ.

I am pleased to announce that in just a few weeks Bridge-Logos will be releasing another "instant book"--Sarah Palin--Faith, Family, Country. This is an interesting book about the Republican vice-presidential candidate, who is clearly a devout Christian and someone who will incorporate Christian values in her decision making. Though she worshiped for many years in an Assembly of God, Sarah would prefer to be known as a Bible-believing Christian rather than as a Pentecostal.

This is an interesting election year, to be sure. Several key issues will be influencing voters, not the least of which is the faltering economy. The war in Iraq has become less significant to many in light of issues related to the economy. Abortion and same-sex marriages, of course, remain important issues to believers, but it would appear that the economy has taken center stage even for many believers.

• Does it necessarily follow that a good Christian will make a good presdent?
• How much should one's faith influence his or her decision making in office?
• What does the doctrine of the separation of church and state mean to you?
• What is the most important issue to you?
• Which candidate seems to be closest to your own personal value system?
• Who is the best candidate?

Perhaps you'll be able to answer some of these questions after the presidential debate that is scheduled for Friday, September 26.
One thing's for sure: we need to be praying for our nation.
Paul writes, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable lif ein all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour" (1 Timothy 2:1-3, KJV).
May God bless America!