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God, Politics and Sarah Palin

I find it interesting that Charisma referred to Gov. Sarah Palin as a “remarkable Christian woman” (“The Faith of Sarah Palin” by Julian Lukins, January). There is no doubt she is intelligent. But from the beginning of her campaign she was anything but Christian. She attacked and perpetuated untruths without the slightest bit of apology.

—Cecil Youngblood, Beloit, Wisconsin

Although I suspect that Gov. Sarah Palin was hardly more than a pawn in John McCain’s flawed strategy, I respect her as a fellow professing Christian. My only regret is that your article was basically a review of existing material. I find it distressing that she should be so casually linked to the biblical Esther by professing evangelical Christians who ought to know better.

—name withheld

I would like to honor President Bush for an outstanding job completed as president of the United States. I would like to also sound an alarm for Christians everywhere to wake up and do their homework before blindly following or believing any media stories. President Bush has taken quite a beating from the liberal media, as if the war in Iraq and the economic collapse are his fault

—Jo Lynn Kraina, Weirton, West Virginia

We did it. We elected a president who is pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage and pro-big government. Is this the “change” we need?

My biggest disappointment over the campaign was the failure of top evangelical church leaders and Christian ministries to support the right candidates. They bought the lie that no candidate can win other than a “media-chosen frontrunner.” With Barack Obama we will see only negative change and a further loss of our God-given, constitutionally affirmed freedoms and liberties.

The real change we need is for Obama to be born again and to develop a committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Please pray for him and our nation.

—Bob Nesbit, Owatonna, Minnesota

When Christians align with a particular political party, we alienate many who would come to Christ. It becomes a stumbling block difficult for them to overcome. Let’s win souls for the kingdom, not the Republican Party.

—Bob Kennedy, Raymond, Washington

Why is it difficult for some Christians to accept the fact that Barack Obama just may be God’s choice? God is sovereign and the heart of the king is in His hand. How else can anyone explain—especially with our racist history—that a black man was overwhelmingly elected president?

—Rev. M. Bond, Chicago, Illinois

Once again Charisma has made its minority readers feel insignificant. Sarah Palin on the front cover? Give me a break; it’s laughable. It was out of place to put her in the same company with Esther. Palin does not speak for me. I cannot disagree more with her idea of running this country.

—Jonathan Adams, via e-mail

I want to give President Barack Obama a chance before making any criticisms of him. But I am appalled at the racism manifested among African-American Christians when I hear that they are against abortion and gay-marriage, but voted for Obama. Why? Because we want an African-American president? This grieves me greatly.

—Rev. Jack Fucci Jr., Middlesex, New Jersey

Thanks so much for putting the delightful Tina Fey on the cover of Charisma. In these tough economic times, anything that can make us laugh or smile is appreciated, and I always laugh when I see Tina—or Sarah Palin!

—Jeff Stevenson, New York, New York

Editor’s note: The image on our January cover is in fact Sarah Palin. But whenever Tina Fey wants to share how Jesus changed her life, we’d be very open to putting her on the cover.

I applaud Kimberly Daniels for her biblical stand against the policies of Barack Obama (Somebody Say Amen, November). Shame on all professing Christians for their less-than-biblical statements and behavior. The great white throne judgment awaits all believers.

—Carl D. Horkavy, Benson, North Carolina

Controversy in Ukraine

I’m shocked that many Christians, including Pentecostal leaders, have decided to play judge, jury and executioner of pastor Sunday Adelaja based on hearsay (Charisma Online, 12/19/2008). Anyone found guilty of fraudulent activities of this nature should be dealt with according to biblical truth and legislation. However, Pastor Sunday is being slandered and judged without any legal or legitimate process having run its course. He is a man of integrity, open and transparent.

—Rev. Eddie Ellish, Rustenburg, South Africa

My interaction with pastor Sunday Adelaja has revealed him to be a man of integrity. The unfortunate demise of the King’s Capital investment group, which happens to be one of many companies affected by the world economic crisis, is being put at the doorstep of the pastor because the promoters are members of the church. I read some of Pastor Sunday’s past messages warning people to beware of greed as it relates to high-yielding investment.

—Sunday Odunuga, Nigeria, West Africa

Over six months ago pastor Sunday Adelaja addressed his church with words of wisdom about high-risk investments. I wish Charisma had quoted that article as well as the recent allegations. I remember reading it on the church Web site. The complaints against him sound more like jealous pastors or envious government officials.

—Don and Kay Wood, Bedford, Texas

I have heard pastor Sunday Adelaja’s teachings, and he never told people to invest in a specific company. He told us about basic principles of business and how to be successful. Those fighting to pull down the church should remember the church belongs to Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. None can do battle with God!

—Chris C. Joseph, Lagos, Nigeria

I’m from God’s Embassy Church and can testify that the teachings of pastor Sunday Adelaja and the church are well-balanced and fully Christ- centered. We cannot blame him for the consequences of the financial recession just because one of them happened to be King’s Capital. I want to stress that King’s Capital is one out of a long list of institutions that have suffered losses due to the financial crisis.

—Svetlana and Michael Armstrong, Kiev, Ukraine

My Turn

“When Christians align with a particular political party, we alienate many who would come to Christ.”

Though the questions are understandable, there are inaccurate assumptions regarding Ted Haggard’s objectives and mine in his visit to my church, Open Bible Fellowship in Morrison, Illinois (News, January). The invitation was issued after much prayer and was clearly explained to our congregation in advance. We did no outside publicity and issued no invitations to other clergy.

This was to be an exclusive “family” time in order to embrace, bless, love and honor the Haggards as part of God’s flock. I was also confident that Ted had a message that would impact our people. I was not disappointed, and neither were they. From the first week of his crisis in 2006, I have had regular contact with Ted. He has been thoroughly vulnerable with me. Nothing was glossed over as he processed through his pain, shame and isolation.

When New Life Church mandated that the Haggards leave Colorado in 2007, Ted and Gayle came to visit us in Illinois. We had secured access to a home where they and their family could live indefinitely as they sought to be healed and restored. However, they moved to Phoenix in order to be in close contact with pastor Tommy Barnett, a member of his restoration team, and to attend the University of Phoenix. Ted maintained an ongoing accountability relationship with leadership there, and he continued professional counseling that had begun in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Ted has never asked me to reinstate him, and it is important to clarify that I issued the invitation with no prompting from him. In fact, the Haggards agreed to come with some apprehension, temporarily considered rescinding their plans, but ultimately chose to accept my proposal. Furthermore, we have never discussed the idea, much less formally made plans for him to re-emerge into full-time vocational ministry. The messages he shared had a dramatic impact on our congregation.

—Rev. Chris Byrd, Open Bible Fellowship, Morrison, Illinois