Editor's note: Is it 2008 yet? No. 15 months to go. And if we heed Gordon MacDonald's advice, during this long election season we will be asking serious questions of all the candidates for public office, especially those running for president of the United States. Gordon's column two weeks ago prompted much response from Weekly readers and visitors to our blog, Out of Ur, where we directed the conversation.

The debate raises the larger question: How politically active should Christians—and in particular, church leaders—be?

If you haven't time to read the lengthy replies, we offer here some highlights to stimulate your thoughts, conversations, and assessments of the issues and candidates.

Mike posted: Those issues do bring up a growing problem with the American Church; we are looking for a president to do the work that we should be doing. My vote boils down to supporting the candidate that most supports the Church's freedom to act on its principles and beliefs, to mobilize and ...