The man who became a metaphor for the average American in the 2008 election tells CT about his Christian faith and the future of the Republican Party.
Interview by Sarah Pulliam | posted 5/04/2009 10:05AM
Samuel Wurzelbacher was launched into the public arena after Senator John McCain used him as an example of an average American during a presidential debate last fall. "Joe the Plumber" quickly became ...
This entire interview could have been randomly generated with the same results in the end. There's no substance or rational thought to Joe's shallow philosophy. He isn't even well educated in basic history, and spews about "the Founding Fathers based the Constitution off of Christian values" with zero understanding of the historical influences on the American Constitution, as well as the various writers and developing classical liberalism.
Max Q
Posted: May 15, 2009 4:16 PM
Joe - 'pay unto caesar'. If you really want to follow Jesus your primary concern should be to the desparately poor not your own wallet and not your own taxes! Never once did Jesus concern himself with his own welfare but for others.
There is not enough characters allowed in this comments box for me to even begin on the whole Sarah Palin thing. Suffice to say that I am VERY PROUD to be a follower of Jesus but increasingly embarassed by the cringing brand of trumphalist rich-man republican brand of Christianity that infects the US. It was and remains the very antithesis to what Jesus was about. Shame on you all who promoet this message.
Bigotry
Posted: May 15, 2009 2:51 PM
Interesting to see this talk about religion devolves immediately into hatred and bigotry. What a great role-model this man is. I wonder what other types of people he would keep away from his children...
Jim, Pete anonymous
Posted: May 14, 2009 11:21 PM
It always interest me the people who Critisize other Christians. I always ask What have you done? Have you ever led anyone to CHrist. Havew you prayed with anyone, taught SS, and so on. THere are a lot of big mouths in the church, but they don't help anyone get Heaven. At least Joe takes public stand for righousness. What have you done?
Jesus did not pick the most educated and finessed people for disiplces. He pick the 'average "Joe" He then made them an intrument of salvation. While you stand around like Pharisees, maybe you ought to pick up a Bible and read it.
Johann
Posted: May 14, 2009 1:51 PM
Joe the Plumber (JtP) was just an ordinary guy who repeated a FOx news talking point about "socialism" (as if we haven't had socialism for 60 years). Please someone tell him to just close his mouth before he embarrasses himself any further.
JoeTheDumber
Posted: May 13, 2009 11:49 PM
I guess this site and Joe the Plumber don't realize that his 15 minutes of fame are long over.
LK
Posted: May 13, 2009 11:41 AM
Dear CT,
Thank you for posting this story. When one sees the courage of everyday people like Joe the Plumber, and find out about their relationship with God, it clicks. Only God can give us the courage to withstand difficult circumstances, like he had to face. Again, thank you.
steve
Posted: May 13, 2009 8:31 AM
You give this guy space? Why not just go down your street and interview every other person you meet. The "informed" answers you would get would be the same.
Tanner
Posted: May 11, 2009 10:34 PM
"I've had some friends that are actually homosexual. And, I mean, they know where I stand, and they know that I wouldn't have them anywhere near my children."
This is exactly why Christians are viewed as ignorant and hateful. Anyone with an ounce of sense knows that the VAST majority of pedophiles are heterosexual.....not homosexual. CT should be ashamed for giving this ignorant man a voice. This is why intelligent people are turning away from Christianity in droves.
Tanner
New Orleans, LA
Carl
Posted: May 11, 2009 5:16 PM
An honest and decent man. The only embarrassment to the evengelical enterprise here is CT's permitting enemies to befoul its page with the venom of you, my dear 'Andrew.'
Carl
Posted: May 11, 2009 5:16 PM
An honest and decent man. The only embarrassment to the evengelical enterprise here is CT's permitting enemies to befoul its page with
Jovonn
Posted: May 11, 2009 4:02 PM
Then by his logic the word "nigger" isn't a slur, just a word used to describe an ignorant person.... like Samuel...
Lee Krempel
Posted: May 11, 2009 2:40 PM
i'm glad this article was printed. he's a brother in christ, sure. and i hope he is blessed. but hopefully this interview will help hasten his arrival at irrelevance.
Dave
Posted: May 11, 2009 12:45 PM
I wonder if Joe would allow his children around Sarah Palins daughter, who had sex outside of marriage?
Pastor Barb
Posted: May 11, 2009 12:44 PM
May I call you Joe? I certainly wouldn't want to call you friend. What do you mean you wouldn't allow your friends (homosexual friends) around your children? Aren't we just high and mighty. When did Jesus ever refuse to eat with anyone?
Alison Victoria
Posted: May 10, 2009 12:15 PM
I'm extremely disappointed that CT left unchallenged Joe's comments and his use of the word "queer". As if that were the technical term for homosexual and by looking in the dictionary we would see what "they" really are. "Queer" has always been a derogatory word.
As Christians, we must always ask ourselves: Am I communicating the love of Christ to my neighbors or am I judging their sins (and minimizing my own in comparison)? Do our words and actions attract people to Christ? Do we reflect God's grace (which we want for ourselves) or His judgment (which we often seem to prefer for others)? God knows how we are made and what advantages and what challenges we face. Only He can judge. Did this article communicate the love of Christ or the judgment of a man? Christians are becoming marginalized by their obsession with the sins of others and their anger toward others. That is no way to win people to Christ. A little humility and grace - just as God has shown to us.
tony cerbino
Posted: May 10, 2009 10:47 AM
makes me wish the Romans had imported more lions.
Tal
Posted: May 09, 2009 2:02 PM
The fact that Christianity Today gave him a platform makes me highly suspect of this magazine now. How can you put a political polarizing figure with no credentials, doesn't pay taxes and his warped view of Christianity on here. I'm an evangelical Southern Baptist AND I am completely in shock that you have done this. Is this a James Dobson and Republican platform or a Christian magazine... For ALL Evangelical Christians. I'm also a pro-life Democrat and if that makes me less of a Christian in yours and Sam Wurzelbacher, then no wonder why from liberal Christian circles want to look into making a full commitment to Christ.
Lisa
Posted: May 09, 2009 10:27 AM
I actually admire Joe. He stands up for what he believes in. He didn't back down when people were saying cruel things about him when most people would have went into hiding. I don't agree with him on every issue, however as Republicans we need to unite, instead of divide over a few disagreements. Conservatives are continually being marginalized by the left-wing media and by the now liberal White House. It's frightening to me, people are buying into whatever Obama says, they flock to him because of his "charisma" and "Oh, what a smile!", meanwhile he's driving this country into a massive debt... 3.6 trillion dollars for next year's budget!?! That's ludicrous to me and I don't know why there's not more of an outrage from the Republican party. With all the drone-like following of Obama, I'm proud of Joe for not backing down.
Monique
Posted: May 09, 2009 8:49 AM
Thank God that 'Joe the Plumber' is responsible enough to protect his children from sexual deviants. He's a great example for other parents to follow.
H. D. Schmidt
Posted: May 09, 2009 8:47 AM
If a mother politician is Joe's "idol", I say God have mercy, whose own track record as a mothter is evermore becoming sort of the talk of the day, as her own daughter is really and truly in a mess, due to her neglect while dabbling in politics! Where has that old saying gone in Americat that goes like this, "The hands that rock the cradle rules the world", as more and more young ladies become fiery politicians and now even becoming bloody warriors in far-away pieces of sand and even grandmas, and leaving their little babies bdhind? While Palin is against abortion, she, as a politician contributes to the decline of the traditional biblical home, as even now more American women live without a man that do? Yes, Christians are actually the greatest force behind Jezebelizing America. Yes, procreation is now practized in America way below the animal kingdom otherwise America would not now be the mass grave of 50 million or so of unborn babies. Not to mention, America with its Hitler guns!
RWB
Posted: May 08, 2009 4:52 PM
First of all, he's not an average American. He lied about being a plumber. He is not a licensed plumber, he lied about starting a business (he can barely start a car) and he's the last person I would listen to for an opinion about politics and especially Christianity. Pity the Republican Party if this is the best they can do.
Anonymous
Posted: May 08, 2009 1:23 AM
I agree we have a freedom of speech, but as someone who desires to follow Christ I believe to the fullest degree that speech needs to be a message of LOVE. That is what this world needs. Christ came to offer that life and yes not all people accept that but we are not able to make judgement calls. We are human beings ALL created in the likeness of God all on the same playing field. Instead of telling people that you are wrong I am right why not actually demonstrate the love of Christ? If we say we are a Christian I believe that is what we need to represent to this world his love not condemnation or judgement we have no authority for that. We need a revival of our call here, we can't fix or change people, that's not us it's all power to God. It's about loving God and when we do that it creates an overflow of love for his world.
Rich
Posted: May 07, 2009 6:59 PM
This is just about the funniest thing I've ever read. Seriously. Joe, go away.
Anon E Mouse
Posted: May 07, 2009 5:14 PM
JtP - just another person with an opinion, a place to vent, no real plan and his 15 minutes of fame trying to cash in.
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