Q&A: Newt Gingrich

The former speaker of the House of Representatives on conservative Christians and politics.

The former speaker of the House of Representatives recently authored Rediscovering God in America (Integrity, 2006).

Your book describes the positive Christian influence in our nation’s history. But since 2004, there’s been a lot of talk about “theocracy” when referring to political involvement by conservative Christians.

The anti-God, secular Left will say and do almost anything, because they’re trying to drive God out of public life. But how could any serious, rational person [discount the] diversity in America, from Seventh-day Adventist to Mormon to Southern Baptist to mainstream Episcopal to Catholic to Jewish to Muslim to Buddhist to Hindu? We live in the most diversely religious country in the world. It isn’t an anti-religious country.

Should Christians be surprised at this kind of treatment?

Read Paul and remember that if you truly are of faith, you should expect to have people revile you and attack you, because that is the fate of people who are truly prepared to stand up for their beliefs.

How should Christian voters approach this election?

They should have a clear sense of their agenda and not be at all bashful. You never see the trial lawyers or the unions or the gay-rights groups feeling embarrassed about what they want. People who believe in God and regularly go to church or synagogue should have absolutely as much right to be explicit and direct in the electoral process as people who are secular or atheist.

James Dobson invited you to the Values Voters Summit in September. Other groups emphasize poverty and the environment. Would you talk to them?

Sure, but my message would start with some pretty powerful words about faith and behavior. In America, political scientist James Q. Wilson has pointed out that if you do not get pregnant outside of marriage, if you don’t get married before you’re 20, and if you complete high school, then it is virtually impossible to be in poverty.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Rediscovering God in America is available from ChristianBook.com and other book retailers.

Gingrich’s editorial on the situation abroad appears in The Washington Post.

Newt Gingrich’s official website, where he speaks more on his views of God in America.

Ross Douthat writes about Newt Gingrich’s developing political profile in The Atlantic Monthly.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

News

Looking for God in Russia: Finding Jesus in Orthodox Robes and Evangelical Jeans

God's Word in an Old Light

The New Context of World Missions

News

Long-Distance AIDS Ministry

Plethora of Talent

Rx for Recidivism

Middle East Morass

Behold, the Global Church

Stopping Cultural Drift

Dreaming of Dystopia

Imagining a Different Way to Live

A Good Death

Editorial

Look at All the Lonely People

Into the Silent Land

A Practical Understanding of Jesus' Life

Shoot-First Apologetics

How God Works Through Ordinary Churches

Worth Protecting

Editorial

Theocracy, Anyone?

No Theocracy Here

Meet the Patriot Pastors

Autumn

News

Races to Watch: Tammy Duckworth vs. State Sen. Peter Roskam

Children of a Lesser Hope

Races to Watch: South Dakota's Abortion Ban

Races to Watch: Governor of Michigan

Margin of Victory

News

Passages

High-Impact Leader and Shaker

News

Quotation Marks

The Other <em>Plan B</em>

News

Morning-After Headache

News

Go Figure

Does Islam Need a Luther or a Pope?

Gallery of Accusations

News

<em>Christianity Today</em> News Briefs

News

Cutting Out <em>VeggieTales</em>' Core

News

Malay Melee

News

Public Grievance

Expelling InterVarsity

Clash of Churches in Lebanon

View issue

Our Latest

Public Theology Project

The Star of Bethlehem Is a Zodiac Killer

How Christmas upends everything that draws our culture to astrology.

News

As Malibu Burns, Pepperdine Withstands the Fire

University president praises the community’s “calm resilience” as students and staff shelter in place in fireproof buildings.

The Russell Moore Show

My Favorite Books of 2024

Ashley Hales, CT’s editorial director for print, and Russell discuss this year’s reads.

News

The Door Is Now Open to Churches in Nepal

Seventeen years after the former Hindu kingdom became a secular state, Christians have a pathway to legal recognition.

The Holy Family and Mine

Nativity scenes show us the loving parents we all need—and remind me that my own parents estranged me over my faith.

Why Christians Oppose Euthanasia

The immorality of killing the old and ill has never been in question for Christians. Nor is our duty to care for those the world devalues.

China’s Churches Go Deep Rather than Wide at Christmas

In place of large evangelism outreaches, churches try to be more intentional in the face of religious restrictions and theological changes.

Wire Story

Study: Evangelical Churches Aren’t Particularly Political

Even if members are politically active and many leaders are often outspoken about issues and candidates they support, most congregations make great efforts to keep politics out of the church when they gather.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube