Any place for God here? one might wonder, as he sits in a cluttered, hectic, earthy office waiting to see his senator or congressman. Or, for that matter, does it really make any difference to the operation of government whether the legislator is a man of Christian faith?
Many politicians respond with a quick, “Yes, it does matter.” In a CHRISTIANITY TODAY interview four legislators, all active churchmen, discussed what that “Yes” means.
They were: Senator Mark Hatfield, a Baptist from Oregon and a well-known evangelical speaker; Representative Wilmer (Vinegar Bend) Mizell of North Carolina, who belongs to the Christian and Missionary Alliance; Illinois Representative John Anderson, a member of the Evangelical Free Church; and Senator George McGovern of South Dakota, who grew up in a Wesleyan Methodist parsonage, went to Garrett Theological Seminary, and is now a United Methodist layman.
Each man was ready with some well-thought-out responses to the question, How does a legislator’s Christian faith influence his life in politics? Three of the four talked first about the personal matter of inner peace. “Each day I try to spend time in personal devotions,” said the graying Anderson. “It is a constant struggle to remain fresh, but I keep trying.” Mizell concurred: “It’s a policy; I don’t start the day without at least a few quiet moments with Him.”
“An important thing about this,” added Hatfield, sharply dressed in a dark suit with maroon shirt and tie, “is that it helps ease the hurly-burly of politics. A lot of people think politicians don’t have feelings, so they throw daggers and make snide remarks. But we do have feelings, and knowing all things work together for good to those who love God helps when the daggers come.”
Answers to how this tranquility translates into action within congressional halls became more complex.
“First let me point out,” said the Oregon senator, “that there is no such thing as ‘a Christian position’ on most voting matters. After praying and asking God for wisdom, I come to a decision; it’s right for me, but I can’t put a label ‘Christian’ on it.” Added McGovern, sitting under a large photograph of South Dakota’s Black Hills: “There will always be differences; religious faith is subject to personal interpretation. I can only say that in my own case I wouldn’t have taken many political initiatives without my religious background.”
