I have long endured the stereotype that exists that Republicans are automatically Christians and Democrats are automatically not. Without going into a long rant on the subject, I would have to say that both parties have officially and unofficially done things that our Lord would find repugnant.

       Certainly, our president's recent actions would fit into that category. He made some serious mistakes, and I will not condone his actions. But I  would have to ask how far is that away from us. The temptation to sin is going to be a constant factor in our lives. Even Christ endured this temptation, and except for Him, the best of us give into that temptation from time to time.

       Personally, I feel for Clinton right now. I've been in an elected position, and as such I'm pretty sure that anyone who had the dedication and will to acced to the position of President of the United States must be torn apart by the very thought that he may have failed his constiuency.

       However, as Romans 13:1 (NIV) states, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

      Clinton is, at least nominally, a Christian, and not knowing the man personally, I'm not prepared to say he isn't, even if he made some mistakes.

      The questions I have to ask though are: are you praying for wisdom among our leaders to make a decision which is right, fair and Constiutional, or are you praying for a Republican victory, and do you think Christ would pray for the same?

       The real issue in Washington is the separation of thought and action in ritual. This is the same issue that makes a mockery of the American Church today.

       According to Catherine Bell, author of "Ritual Theory, Ritual Practice", ritual is seen as something that is expressive of a belief system as a thought, but not necessarily as an action. Ritual inspires or promotes activity, but we tend to not see thoughts as an activity. Ritual then becomes a thoughtless action, a mindless walking through some type of belief that is not our real thought.

       Our President, the honorable William J. Clinton, is a good Evangelical Christian who does not believe that his thoughts are actions.

       From the polls, it would seem that around 70% of Americans believe the same way. (According to George Barna, 80% of Americans claim to be born again.)

       It is this belief that allows people to separate personal thoughts, and even some behaviors, from public action. I believe Clinton was raised in a church that teaches this false doctrine.

       Our President has shown us what it means to rely entirely on God's grace. According to good, solid Evangelical Theology, God looks favorably on Mr. Clinton because he has not tried to save himself by his good works.

       If ever there was an outstanding example of eternal security and umnerited favor the way it is falsely used today, here it is. Clinton goes to church on Sunday. Ordained elders from various churches regularly come to see him at the White House, and he ends many of his speeches with as good of a "God bless you," as any preacher I have ever heard.

       He mentally believes that Jesus came to earth, died, was resurrected, and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father in heaven. His mental ascension to a particular belief system, however, has not changed his heart or his lifestyle and so it is worthless and I believe him to be a false prophet.

       He is a model American Evangelical Baptist Christian and he is an oustanding Baptist preacher. No, he is not an ordained elder in the church, but millions of people around the world listen to him preach every day.

       There is one thing missing, however, but not many Christians will stand up and say anything about it because it is missing in their lives as well. Clinton is not righteous or just, and has no integrity. What good Christian today would condemn him, though many of them life the same way for they have all been taught the same doctrine of demons.

       When this man was elected the second time, many on this campus, students and faculty alike voted for him and proclaimed that integrity had nothing to do with how a person runs the country.

       Still today people, Christians included, cry out that we need to leave poor Clinton alone because he is doing a good job. The economy is booming and things are going great. This is pathetic and God is going to judge those people who think in this matter.

       We care more about the fact that we can keep our nice cars and have our nice houses than we care about the utter demonic nature of our government. I said before, and I say again with the Apostle Paul, that those who live like this or approve of this sort of behavior will never inherit the kingdom of God.

       Those who voted for this man deserve what is happening right now. There will be far greater ramifications than we could ever imagine from these events and many like them that go on in our country and our churches today. Don't think for one minute that God is going to continue to allow His name and the name of His Son Jesus to be profaned and made light of in this manner.

       Go ahead and laugh at this article and others like it that expose the pathetic nature of our churches today and that call for repentance. Nobody need fear me, for there is one far greater than I that the whole world will learn to fear and worship, either out of love or sheer terror.

       Thank you Dave for cleaning up the Democrat/Republican nonsense. Righteousness has nothing to do with party affiliation.

       My point has been the fact that the majority of the American Church, of which many of the students here are a part, claim we live in blatant sin and God will still bless us.

       There is a difference between being overtaken in sin and willfully doing something we know to be wrong. Under both covenants, old and new, there is no sacrifice for us if we continue to sin after having received the knowledge of truth. Under the old covenant the person who blatantly sinned was taken out and stoned. Under the new covenant, the writer of Hebrews tells us we can expect the fiery judgment from God.

       This is not the first time Clinton has committed flagrant sin, it is only the first time that something is happening in response to his sins. To make the argument that we should excuse the man because we are also tempted and give in is weak.

       I understand grace, and forgiveness, they apply to those persons who walk in the Holy Spirit, who is the law of the new covenant (Romans 7:6). Salvation is the continual transformation from the image of and union with Satan, to the image of and union with God. If we continue on in willful sin, we destroy our salvation (resurrection).

       I am not advocating the death penalty for Clinton. I cannot imagine, though, how any true servant of God can advocate that a man with such low moral character be allowed to lead our nation. Have we stooped so low, even in God's Holy church?

       I know that many of our pastors and teachers in the church live the same way as Clinton so they can't cry out against his sin, but do we want to continue to advocate this as correct behavior?

       It is obvious that Clinton is not torn apart about his failures as a moral person. Not once has he truly tried to repent and humble himself, either to let us know he is truly repentant, or to save the face of our nation in light of global scrutiny.

       How can anyone be a nominal Christian? My Bible says that God vomits the lukewarm Christian out of his mouth (Revelation 3:16). If Clinton should repent and turn from his evil ways, God may forgive him, but he will still be required to reap what he has sown which we are all required to do.

       We are required to submit ourselves to governing authorities provided they do not infringe on how God instructs us to live. As Peter said in Acts 4, whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than God, you be the judge and Pray for our country?

       God said in II Chronicles 7:14, "If My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." God is talking about His people, who are now the Christians.

       This whole affair in Washington has happened because God's people have not humbled themselves, they have not prayed and sought God's face, and turned from their wicked ways. When the majority of them do not require the rest to get in line or get out of the church, then God, through His church will heal our land.

       I'm just not ready to point to Clinton as the prime example of spiritual decay in America. The reason why Clinton's popularity is so high is that the American people have heard this song and dance before. "Scandal" after "scandal" has occurred during this administration. the 1969 trip to Russia, Gennifer Flowers, Clinton's "draft dodging", Whitewater, etc., and none of these charges have ever resulted in any charges being filed against the President.

       This has simply resulted in the view that Republican-backed scandalmongers are doing everything they can to discredit the President rather than allow him to do the job that he was elected to do.

       We know that Clinton has made at least two mistakes: having sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky and lying about it. These are reprehensible, and should be addressed in some way, which I believe to be official censure.

       All other charges are simply allegations made by people whom we know would enjoy to see Clinton fall. Andrew and I agree on one thing. Clinton will be judged by God, who knows the whole truth in this matter, as will anyone who truly cares more about their material things. But I think we'll be judged just as harshly if we pray for our party's will in this matter rather than our God's.