Re: Reply to Dennis

PMJAQUA@am.pnu.com
Tue, 20 Aug 1996 08:09:16 -0400

Here is one politically conservative, evangelical Protestant's
perspective on the issue of integrity in the lives of political figures.
I don't think anyone entertains the idea that Dole or other pols
are perfect. Just as we each try to cut ourselves some slack for our own
failings we may also overlook some of the foibles of our politicians. When
Ralph Reed calls Dole a man of integrity I think he is looking at Dole's
record of military and public service, his willingness to follow through on
his word, and perhaps the lack of scandals in his career. Of course no one
is perfect in all those areas (not even Billy Graham). I guess most of us
use a percentage scale or something like that. [i.e.- I might say that
someone who does the right thing >50% of the time is a man of integrity the
majority of the time.]
So I don't think that Mr. Reed is trying to get around what the
Bible says. I think he's simply making an appraisal of an imperfect man.

Mike Jaqua
7245 Balfour Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49024
(616) 327-6570
pmjaqua@pwinet.upj.com
pmjaqua@am.pnu.com <---(New e-mail address. Old one still works. This new
one may change again in the next few months.
Eventually it will replace the old address.)

*********************************
ALAN KEYES FOR PRESIDENT !!!!!!
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______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Reply to Dennis
Author: rice@mcc.com (Janet Rice) at INTERNET
Date: 8/19/96 5:16 PM

Dennis, thank you for the welcome. You wrote:
>I was unaware that Bob Dole ever had an affair. (But then again, who can
>keep track of all these politicians). Is this true & well documented?
> [Inquiring minds want to know........? /:-) ]
>
Oh dear, no that was never what I meant to suggest. However, Bob Dole, Newt
Gingrich, and Phil Gramm have all divorced and remarried. And there has
been no hint with any of them that their first wives were committing
adultery. Since scripture in the New Testament gives adultery as the only
valid reason for a man to divorce his wife, then theoretically they have
committed adultery by marrying again, At least I think that is would be the
case if we are to take the scripture literally as written. The Catholic
Church seems to hold this position, main stream Protestant churches
generally do not, I'm not sure about evangelical Protestant churches. But
my point was that there seems to be certain selectivity among evangelical
Christians as to what is considered clear and unambiguous. Homosexuality
is bad for all times because the Bible says it is, but divorce is ok
because Jesus was just talking within the context of his time and society?
When I hear someone like Ralph Reed praise Bob Dole as a man of character,
I can't help but wonder how Mr Reed has gotten around Jesus's words on
divorce. Then again, perhaps I've misunderstood what I've read.

Janet Rice
512-338-3266
rice@mcc.com