Christianity Today

What about when he renounced the role he played during Watergate?

Look, I think it was an important step on his road of redemption. Here's a guy who said, "I did wrong things and I paid a price. I sought forgiveness." There was contrition there. No doubt about it. It's what made Chuck such a profoundly moving figure. He sought his Lord and his Lord came to him.

Did the administration ever hope Chuck would persuade evangelicals on the administration's positions?

That was up to us. Chuck was valued for his advice and counsel.

Many people attribute Bush's win to evangelicals' role. What was Chuck's role in that?

To the degree that values issues mattered in the election, Chuck's influence was probably more in the second election than in the first because of policies like the faith-based initiatives. You're putting Chuck in the wrong context. You're putting him as a political warrior instead of being a faith and culture warrior.

Do you think people will focus on his political context?

It is one facet but not the most important facet of his later life.

Related Elsewhere:

See also today's obituary, and a reflection on Colson's life and legacy by his biographer, Jonathan Aitken..

Christianity Today published a lengthy profile of Charles Colson in 2001.

Colson was a regular columnist for Christianity Today from 1985 until his death.