What Is Gleanings?

At Christianity Today, we’re constantly tracking important developments in the church and the world. Often we use our network of reporters around the world (and for that, visit our main site). But we also monitor other news outlets, bloggers, newsmakers’ social media feeds, and countless other information streams. Gleanings compiles the most urgent and interesting items we’ve found, explains why you need to know about them, and gives you the background you need to understand them. It’s our snapshot of what God is doing in the world, hour by hour.

Free Newsletters

« Nuclear Dilemma | Main | China expels 100+ missions workers »

July 9, 2007

Hillary Clinton's Faith

Another Methodist in the White House?

Michael Luo has a piece in Saturday's New York Times on Hillary Clinton's faith:

Mrs. Clinton, the New York senator who is seeking the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, has been alluding to her spiritual life with increasing regularity in recent years, language that has dovetailed with efforts by her party to reach out to churchgoers who have been voting overwhelmingly Republican.

Mrs. Clinton's references to faith, though, have come under attack, both from conservatives who doubt her sincerity (one writer recently lumped her with the type of Christians who "believe in everything but God") and liberals who object to any injection of religion into politics. And her motivations have been cast as political calculation by detractors, who suggest she is only trying to moderate her liberal image.

Comments

...and the religious language used by George W. Bush, a fellow Methodist, was not part of a political calculation.

Before reading this I looked at Hillary as a cold, calculating female with a sour puss...now I see her as a human being in need of prayer, like the rest of us. I don't believe she will ever be President and I'm glad, but she has enough savvy to mold public sentiment and that is power; she needs us to prayer that the Lord's will be done in her life and that of her husband, whatshisname.

Hillary will say and do anything to advance her political goal. If she was sincere about faith, then she could not support some of the things that she has voted for....... Hillary is a wolf in sheeps clothing. Back when her husband was Gov of Arkansas, he and Hillary went to a camp meeting and told everyone how great of a christian family they were and how much Christ meant to them........that is until Bill ran for office.........seems that they recanted their faith.......Dig deep in her voting record and see if she lines up with the Christian faith.

I'm reminded that Jesus told his disciples not to judge lest they be judged. Do I use my "faith" to manipulate others? Or do I speak the truth in love? Hillary is accountable to God, just as I am. I trust Him to make righteous judgment and I thank Him for the mercy He has bestowed on me through Christ. I pray Hillary and all her detractors will put their faith in God and let Him be the judge.

Praise the Lord for Neita comment. Let's not forget we all have areas in our life that need cleansing from the Lord. I LOVE Hillary and think she would make an excellent President. Hillary and her family are a work in progress, just as the rest of us. Judge not lest you be judge too. More importantly, GOD can use anyone who will yield. In any case the Republicans MUST GO in JESUS NAME. What's the difference between gay issues, abortion and/or war.? SIN IS SIN.

THERE IS NO ONE ON EARTH who is doing all that God requires of us. Don't be so hard on the lady- she is a work in progress. Just because someone look to have it together in one area and not another, speaks nothing for their love for our LORD. We all have flaws.

My caps mean nothing less than me stressing a point. I am not yelling at anyone. Do not allow society to shape you.

I personally think Bush use the bible to his advantage but....

Only the Lord sees her heart and ultimately, we will all have to answer for what we have done and said.

It sure is weird that people would use Judge not lest ye be judged. The fact is we need to look at what Mrs.Clinton will do for America. If you don't mind the government raising your children for you then by all means support Mrs.Clinton. As Christians we have a responsiblity to God to raise our children (Duet. 6:4-7). If you really want to know what Mrs.Clinton is all about then read her book, " It takes a village to raise a family".

It scares me to think there are people as blind or naive as Annephia. "I love Hilary and think she would make a great President". Are you kidding me? I mean this will all sincerity - I do not see how anyone, ANYONE, could possibly believe one word that comes out of her mouth, much less vote for her as President! Does character, integrity, honesty, moralitycount anymore? Her life has been filled with lies, deception, and a dangerous thirst for power. Yes,she needs prayer, as we all do, but no way should she be President. This is not "judging her" - it is what it is. Unfortunately, the general public is not capable of seeing past the masks and facades people like Hilliary are so good at putting on, and so cannot often times be relied upon to make intelligent decisions at the voting booth. Yes, look to her to start painting herself as a believer to help capture that vote, but she is as much a Christian as Bill is a good and faithful husband. Wake up and stop being duped by the Hiliary propaganda machine!

Ah, yes, apparently after all these years the name Hillary Clinton still sets off hysteria in some quarters. I guess she has become an archetype. Calm down, Bud.

"Judge not lest ye be judged" wasn't a political policy, but a personal one. Also, it necessarily lines up with Paul's 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. So forget about using that in a political context. Hillary merits no political office; I can only hope enough voters eventually see that.

In my opinion for Mrs. Clinton to assert publicly that she has "faith" and not tell us in whom or what she has faith is pointless.

I'm a Christian writer, author of Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt. I endorsed Hillary on my website, Anne Rice.com. It was difficult to stand up to the Christian mainstream on this, but I felt I had to do it. I'm Pro-Life, and Pro-Hillary. Thanks you, Anne Rice.

I agree with the statement above, "Judge not, lest ye be judged," as well as the sentiment expressed by Christ, "Let he who is without sin be the first to throw a stone." Let's remember that politicians are people too, people who care enough to put themselves out there and to try to make a difference. Hillary Clinton has a great desire to try to make America a better place. For this she gets judged and criticized? Why don't those who criticize run themselves and try to do better? Hillary's Methodist Christianity has been the driving force in her life and her political views. Let us remember that God is not a Republican or a Democrat. He is above all of that!

HILLARY HOLDS ANSWERS TO LIFE'S PERSISTENT QUESTIONS

God and Hillary Clinton: A Spiritual Life. Cover: Hillary's weathered face catches the afternoon sun; behold the look of Leftist beatitude. “For nearly three decades, political observers have sought to understand the complex relationship between Hillary Clinton's faith and her politics. Now, in this first spiritual biography of the former first lady, acclaimed historian Paul Kengor sets out to answer the elusive question: What does Hillary Clinton believe?”

This just in: the Clintons have been insulting our intelligence for thirty-five years. “Take the image we have of Jesus—of Jesus as the Shepherd,” says Hillary. There isn’t a soul who doesn’t believe that if the Good Shepherd returned today, he wouldn’t smack Hillary Clinton into the middle of next week. I pity the fool who believes the Clintons; I pity the fool who spends $24.95 on Kengor’s inane book. But despite Hillary’s manifest virtue and desire to do good works, every now and then there’s a moment of truth: http://theseedsof9-11.com

I think that Hillary as a Methodist would have been condemned by John Wesley because she does not adhere to the doctrines of the Bible.
I want her to lose. I don't want to hear her shrieking anymore. She supports abortion which is murder. This is evil.

When was it that Hillary and Bill read Bible stories to Chelsea?
Before, after or during his extre-marital affairs?

My expertise is in dealing with church folks who need to respond to abuse issues. I find that the beliefs that they held onto often make them vulnerable to abuse; however the values of protecting kids or having accountability move them towards productive action.

I'm interested in how any politician or leader shows her beliefs by taking action to protect the vulnerable. That's a gospel I can trust. I've written extensively about the role of religious duress (explicit or implicit)in abuse. Peace.