
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 24, 1994                    TAG: 9406240049 
SECTION: FRONT                     PAGE: A12    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: Medium 
DATELINE: 940624                                 LENGTH:

IS GOD A REPUBLICAN?

{LEAD} Grace/redemption is the cornerstone of Christian belief. I assume that all Christians thoroughly believe in this fundamental theology. If this assumption can be made, then all folks who believe in God should be enveloped in this divine gift.

Sometimes, however, I feel that some Republicans (who are Christians) create a special ``spin'' concerning grace/redemption: that this gift is extended to some people but not to others. It appears that the Rev. Jerry Falwell and the Rev. Pat Robertson and Oliver North have received redemption through grace - but Bill Clinton has not been the receiver of this gift.

{REST} Each of the individuals cited above has each been guilty of moral unraveling - in his own way/time.

The Rev. Mr. Fallwell professes that his younger years were sin-filled times (an earlier autobiography). The Rev. Mr. Robertson confessed that he and his wife conceived their first child out of wedlock. Oliver North's lying to Congress expressed an arrogant and utter disdain/disregard for laws he didn't believe in.

Bu these personal errors are excused by some Republicans - there is a for-give/forget stance that exonerates these deeds similar to Christian theology that portrays redemption through grace. I can't argue with this situation, being a Christian myself. My problem here is: Why can't this stance be extended to our president, Mr. Clinton? He is a professed Christian and espouses his faith. Why do some Republicans feel Bill Clinton can never receive redemption?

Daily evidence from the media and the halls of Congress attest that quite a lot of other professing Christians cannot seem to feel that God could grant this forgive/forget position to Bill Clinton (even if his alleged transgressions are true).

Can it be that only Republicans are Christian enough to receive redemption? Who is our ultimate judge, anyway?

``Earthly'' judges elected Mr. Clinton as our president with a higher percentage of the votes than Richard Nixon received in his three-way presidential race in 1968. Why can't the earthly judges (who were on the losing side of Clinton's victory) allow Clinton the chance to be judged on his character/ performance as president? The year 1996 gives folks a chance to judge him out of office then.

Forgive/forget (``earthly'' style) would be a welcome change and a chance to get a bipartisan agenda going in this nation.

The theology of redemption through grace should be a Democratic experience also. Shouldn't it?

GEORGE B. SHIELDS

Virginia Beach, June 15, 1994

by CNB