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Written by: Rex M. Rogers

Published: 19 May 2025

Habemus Papam, the world’s Roman Catholic Church has a new pope, Leo XIV, and “just like that,” as Forrest Gump would say, “we have a whole new ballgame,” as the baseball-loving American pope’s White Sox fans might say.

Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #207 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.

Habemus Papam, the world’s Roman Catholic Church has a new Pope, Leo XIV. While I am not Catholic, I nevertheless watch this transition with interest because it is not only steeped in history, tradition, and Catholic theology, but because the new pope immediately becomes a leader with global influence. Who is he really? What are his theological, social, economic, and political views, and how will he articulate them?

This occasion was precipitated by the death of Pope Francis, Apr. 21, 2025. “Pope Francis was known for his politically progressive stance on issues like climate change and immigration, while also maintaining traditional Catholic views on matters like abortion and same-sex marriage…Throughout his papacy, Francis was noted for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, international visibility, commitment to interreligious dialogue, and concern for the poor, migrants, and refugees. Francis believed the Catholic Church should demonstrate more inclusivity to LGBTQ people, and stated that although blessings of same-sex unions are not permitted, individuals in same-sex relationships can be blessed as long as the blessing is not given in a liturgical context.” 

“Concerning global governance, Francis was a critic of trickle-down economics, consumerism, and overdevelopment; he made action on climate change a leading focus of his papacy. He viewed capital punishment as inadmissible in all cases, and committed the Catholic Church to its worldwide abolition. Francis criticized the rise of right-wing populism and anti-immigration politics, calling the protection of migrants a "duty of civilization."

In a word, Pope Francis positioned himself and his influence on the Church as a political liberal.

While I can salute Pope Francis’s genuine concern for the marginalized, I have to say respectfully that I disagreed with most of what Pope Francis represented, and at times I longed for what we had with Pope John Paul II, a conservative who aligned with Ronald Regan and Margaret Thatcher to help bring down the Soviet Empire in their day.

Pope Francis’s legacy upon the Church and the world is, therefore, debatable. In the U.S. Roman Catholic Church, “divisions, which mirror more generalized political polarization in the U.S., are evident in a host of issues: immigration, same-sex couples, climate change and the role of women in the Church, among other issues. The split has grown wider in recent years as a growing segment of conservative Catholics becomes increasingly vocal and assertive. Pope Francis…saw his popularity decline in the U.S. over time as the conservative influence helped shape opinions: in 2024, about 75% of U.S. Catholics viewed Francis favorably, down from about 90% in 2015, according to a Pew Research Poll…In their politics, U.S. Catholics have swung more conservative, with right-wing media and Trump-era culture wars combining as powerful influence within the church. Catholics voted for Trump 59%-39% over Democrat Kamala Harris in the November presidential election, a 12-percentage point swing from 2020.”

“The share of Americans who describe themselves as Catholic has changed little over the last decade, hovering around 20%, according to Pew Research. During that time, the Church has been rocked by sex abuse scandals that have resulted in costly legal settlements and bankruptcies, while dragging on church attendance and donations. A number of U.S. dioceses, including in (Pope) Leo's hometown of Chicago, have been forced to close churches, while others have fallen into disrepair. Despite (Pope) Francis' cost-cutting efforts and financial management, the Vatican faces an $94.22 million budget shortfall…and a much larger funding gap in its pension fund.”

The question now is, will Pope Leo XIV continue and solidify Pope Francis’s ideological program, or will Pope Leo opt for a different path, perhaps one that, if not conservative as such, then is at least more centrist in his views? And will he present his views differently, perhaps choosing to make comments in homilies as opposed to public political pronouncements and criticisms of other leaders? At the moment, we only have clues from Pope Leo’s time as a priest, bishop, and cardinal.

But one word of caution: there are many examples of appointed leaders who believed and acted one way before their appointment but turned out to be quite different in high office. More than one American president has been disappointed by what his Supreme Court appointees became.

“In a 2012 address to bishops, (then Robert) Prevost accused the news media and popular culture for encouraging “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel.” Among those “beliefs and practices” he cited were the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children…While bishop of Chiclayo in northwestern Peru, Prevost opposed a government initiative to promote gender ideology teachings in schools. He said, “The promotion of gender ideology is confusing, because it seeks to create genders that don’t exist.” On social media, Prevost strongly supported the Catholic Church’s anti-abortion stance. In 2015, Prevost posted a photograph from the March For Life rally in Chiclayo, exhorting his followers: “Let’s defend human life at all times!...

Prevost has expressed opposition to capital punishment, reflecting the Catholic Church’s position and Francis’s commitment to see the practice ended worldwide. In 2016, Prevost reposted a Catholic News Agency article in which citizens of Belgium, where euthanasia is legal, urged Canadians not to support legislation that would allow for assisted suicides. “’Don’t go there’ – Belgians plead with Canada not to pass euthanasia law #Prolife,” read the tweet that Prevost shared. In October 2017, Prevost retweeted a call for new US gun control from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) after a gunman murdered 60 people in Las Vegas. “To my colleagues: your cowardice to act cannot be whitewashed by thoughts and prayers. None of this ends unless we do something to stop it,” Murphy wrote in the tweet shared by the new pope.”

Meanwhile, it appears “Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV are committed to social justice and environmental stewardship. Pope Francis was vocal about the need for action against climate change and emphasized the Church's role in advocating for the marginalized. Similarly, Pope Leo XIV has signaled alignment with these priorities, advocating for stronger Church action against climate change and emphasizing a reciprocal relationship with the environment.”

Pope Francis made critical remarks about the Trump Administration’s attempt to make the US southern border safe, emphasize legal immigration, and return illegals to their homelands. “Pope Leo…has been openly critical of current immigration policies and has expressed support for social justice movements, including those addressing police brutality.” Hopefully, the new Pope understands the difference between legal and illegal immigration.

Given the number of misguided leaders who in recent years declared climate change the number one existential threat – Biden, Kerry, Pope Francis, more – and given Pope Leo’s leaning toward climate change concerns, I was pleased to note that his comments in his first mass highlighted AI as posing "new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor. And he drew parallels between the AI and Industrial Revolutions, saying the Church must lead in confronting AI's threats to workers and human dignity. AI is a big unknown that, like any innovation, offers pros and cons, so I’ll take this from Pope Leo, glad that he did not throw himself on the altar of climate change religion.

I was also pleased to note that Pope Leo said, “It is essential that we too repeat, with Peter: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt 16:16). It is essential to do this, first of all, in our personal relationship with the Lord, in our commitment to a daily journey of conversion. Then, to do so as a Church, experiencing together our fidelity to the Lord and bringing the Good News to all.” With all this I agree.

But then Pope Leo ended his mass with “May God grant me this grace, today and always, through the loving intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church.” While this is traditional Catholic doctrine, with this I cannot agree, for the Scripture clearly says in 1 Tim. 2:5-6, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” And Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6).

While Mary, the mother of Jesus, not the Church, is respected and honored in the Bible, and there is much to learn from her obedience and humility before God, nowhere in Scripture is she considered divine, nowhere is she called an intercessor.

To be open and dispassionate about this, we will need to give Pope Leo XIV time to speak. I pray he will know the truth in Jesus Christ and make Him known, that the Pope will point to the Gospel, not the Church per se, and that he will focus more on applied theology than ideological or partisan politics.

Well, we’ll see you again soon. This podcast is about Discerning What Is Best. If you find this thought-provoking and helpful, follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Download an episode for your friends. For more Christian commentary, check my website, r-e-x-m as in Martin, that’s rexmrogers.com. Or check my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers for more podcasts and video.

And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.

© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2025  

*This podcast blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/ or my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers or https://x.com/RexMRogers.

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Written by: Rex M. Rogers

Published: 16 December 2024

If you are conservative, you probably feel like the country dodged a bullet in the last presidential election, whatever your feelings about the winning candidate. If so, what now?

Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #183 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.

The 2024 U.S. Presidential election is in the books, and former president Donald J. Trump, Republican, soundly defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrat. While I don’t think the President-elect walks on water and in fact have a few concerns about his persona, I confess that I was greatly relieved at the election results.

I am one, in fact, who believes the U.S. dodged a bullet – or rather based upon my Christian faith, believe that in God’s providence this country has been spared what could have been a rapid spiral into greater socialism, authoritarianism, and consequent diminishment and weakness of America. And I believe, or at least I hope, we’ve been given an opportunity to adjust several threatening policies and trends – including an ongoing politicization of government agencies like the Department of Justice, FBI, and more, a continuation of so-called “woke” or DEI policies rooted in Marxist, racist theory, an escalation of abortion on demand and the promotion of sexual libertinism including the mutilation of children in the propagandistically-named “gender-affirming” care, and much more direct threats, most especially those undermining the First Amendment.

I believe this because the Democrat Party has long since been captured by what’s called the – ill-named again – “Progressives.” While President Joe Biden promised in his 2021 inaugural address to govern in the middle, on his first day in office he tacked left—not liberal, people who still believe in the U.S.A., but left, people who reject nearly every ideal upon which the United States was founded, and Mr. Biden then governed in a way promoted by these extremists in his party. 

This produced a highly inflationary economy, a debacle in Afghanistan, weakness on the world stage including the Middle East, and an intentional, some say treasonous, policy that ruined U.S. borders and invited a host of military-age men to flood the U.S., not in a desire for freedom or a chance to work, as was the case of millions coming through Ellis Island a century ago, but rather displaying an aggressive entitlement desire for handouts—smart phones, free hotel rooms, free food, transportation, health insurance, monthly income – which political leaders foolishly gave out in a brash effort to secure future votes and power.

Not every Democrat for sure, but the national Democrat Party is now decidedly not the party of my father-in-law who as a Marine fought on Guadalcanal, coming home with a Purple Heart and a Silver Star. Back then, the Democrats were the working- or middle-class man’s party that cared about opportunities for the economic have nots. Now, national Democrat Party leaders and activists are elitist, leftist, woke, pro-choice, anti-capitalist, open border globalists who seem to despise their own country and the freedom ideals that made it strong in the first place.

This does not mean the national Republican Party is the epitome and emblem of all that’s peaches and cream, right and good. While the Republican Party’s policies, including what we’ve seen thus far of what will be the new Trump Administration, focus on law and order, fiscal responsibility, peace through strength, traditional morality, and the rediscovery of truth, standards, excellence, and common sense, still, Republican politicians are just people, at times drawn into unwise political initiatives or, as we’ve seen in the so-called Establishment, “do-nothing,” “keep your head down” efforts to maintain their positions.

So, yes, I think our Sovereign God blessed America, gave us another chance to be “a shining city on the hill” and a beacon of freedom and prosperity for our citizenry and to the world. But the election is only a beachhead. We must follow through.

In this podcast and, actually most of my writing over the last 30 years, I’ve tried not to write in a simply partisan way. One reason is that I believe biblical teaching and a Christian worldview should be brought to bear on all things political, social, and cultural, including political parties. In other words, as in the title of this podcast, we should exercise “discernment” in all things.

Another reason I’ve avoided openly partisan writing is that I wanted to preserve my own freedom of conscience to express my views as I deemed appropriate without allegiance to partisan politics. Finally, the political parties are not always right or correct or even morally astute. At least in writing, I wanted to be free to say this if I thought it was warranted.

I never liked and still don’t when conservative writers or Republicans lob cheap insults at President Joe Biden for his obvious dementia and other indicators of advancing age, e.g., make fun of him when he stumbles or slurs his words. This comes to us all if we live long enough. It seems to me there is a boatload of Mr. Biden’s policies and political initiatives or public statements with which I disagree, all fair game for critique, so why resort to vocabulary borrowed from World Wrestling Entertainment?

Besides, I hold Mr. Biden’s family and staff partly responsible for propping him up in what could legitimately be called elder abuse.

I never liked and still don’t when conservative writers or Republicans lob shallow arguments at Vice President Kamala Harris. By shallow arguments, I mean references to her being a woman, a Black or Indian woman. Who cares about her sex and race?

Though I will say this, Vice President Harris proved to be what many already knew or suspected going into the coup-based campaign – an inept candidate unable to handle even softball interviews, let alone in-depth questions about national political issues. In my view, President Biden made a mistake during his campaign to become president when he publicly promised to choose a woman as VP. I am not against women being VP. In fact, that’s part of my point. I knew when he did this, he would come under enormous pressure to choose a woman of color.

Nothing wrong with this either, but candidate Biden backed himself into corner where he felt forced to choose from a short-list handed to him by leftist activists.

Point is, there are many women and many women of color who could handle the job of Vice President or President and who could run circles around VP Kamala Harris in talent, political skills, experience, and vision. Yet Mr. Biden chose the weakest in his list. Makes you wonder why.

I honestly feared for Mr. Biden’s health and well-being. I still do. I don’t want any president, no matter his politics, to die in office. But I most certainly do not want this to happen to Mr. Biden, then or now till Jan. 20, 2025, because I genuinely think a “President” Kamala Harris would put the USA in a vulnerable position.

So, if indeed we’ve dodged a bullet – and the Lord has given the USA both a reprieve from what could have been and an opportunity for what could be, what are we going to do with it? I’ll share this here:

1. Restore what Trump followers call “common sense,” especially in recommitting to the idea of absolute truth in law and order. Arrest and prosecute perpetrators. Respect and reinforce people like Daniel Penny. Re-establish federal government agencies committed to serving the American people by being transparent, honest, and diligent in the maintenance of blind justice and equality before the law. Stop political leaders, starting in the Oval Office, from lying, dissembling, prevaricating, misleading, or whatever fancy word you want to use for spreading falsehoods that undermine trust.

2. The economy is a funny thing. It works based on tangible goods and services, but it also functions on emotions—people’s hope for a better tomorrow. The Trump Administration needs to keep doing what the President-elect has so far done, talk about “Making America Great Again.” This is a political slogan and a cliché and an exercise in patriotism, but it does capture two things: Tomorrow and Optimism. This together with the President-elect’s business background, hopefully a few deregulation policies, and a plan to “drain the swamp,” including reducing the size of government via the new DOGE or Department of Government Efficiency, is already affecting Wall Street in a positive way. May the power of promise be multiplied. This rising tide lifts all boats.

3. Give DEI or Diversity, Equity, Inclusion or Woke or Critical Race Theory a quick death in every corner of government, especially the Pentagon, and restore meritocracy, objectivity, individual responsibility, equal opportunity, color blindness, free market principles. If this can be accomplished in American education, the military, government agencies, and the law, the USA will once again become a bastion of freedom of opportunity for all.

There is much more, of course, but let’s remember what Scripture says:

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish” (Ps. 146:3-4).

And also, “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Well, we’ll see you again soon. This podcast is about Discerning What Is Best. If you find this thought-provoking and helpful, follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Download an episode for your friends. For more Christian commentary, check my website, r-e-x-m as in Martin, that’s rexmrogers.com. Or check my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers for more podcasts and video. 

And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.

© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2024   

*This podcast blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/ or my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers or https://x.com/RexMRogers.

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Written by: Rex M. Rogers

Published: 26 May 2024

I wonder if you caught the public fooforaw involving Catholics, who like Protestants, do not all agree? 

Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #151 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.

Catholic Church beliefs have been front and center recently, both traditional and progressive. Traditional came from Kansas City Chiefs football kicker Harrison Butker, who gave the commencement address at Benedictine College, May 11. 

Butker is Catholic, the college is Catholic, he was invited to speak and got a standing ovation after his address, yet social media and the American Left has gone into meltdown mode.

Butker said, “Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media, all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.”

Regarding President Biden, Butker said, “Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the Sign of the Cross during a pro-abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I'm sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.”

“This is an important reminder that being Catholic alone doesn't cut it. These are the sorts of things we are told in polite society to not bring up. You know, the difficult and unpleasant things. But if we are going to be men and women for this time in history, we need to stop pretending that the ‘Church of Nice’ is a winning proposition. We must always speak and act in charity, but never mistake charity for cowardice.”

Butker noted, “The world around us says that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves whenever they go against the tyranny of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We fear speaking truth, because now, unfortunately, truth is in the minority.”

While media hasn’t notice, actually, Butker spent most of his speech talking about getting our own house in order, meaning the Catholic Church, and he chided bishops and priests for their too frequent shallow and cowardly values. 

Then Butker dared to say something that just a generation ago virtually every American believed, but today you say it and you are a pariah, one who must be fired, cancelled, or condemned as a misogynist. Butker said, “it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.” [Applause lasting 18 seconds]

Now this is after he acknowledged many women will pursue successful careers. He did not denigrate this. He merely praised those women who consider being a wife and homemaker a holy vocation.

Then, “to the gentlemen here today,” he said, “Part of what plagues our society is this lie that has been told to you that men are not necessary in the home or in our communities. As men, we set the tone of the culture, and when that is absent, disorder, dysfunction, and chaos set in. This absence of men in the home is what plays a large role in the violence we see all around the nation.”

“Be unapologetic in your masculinity, fighting against the cultural emasculation of men. Do hard things. Never settle for what is easy.”

Finally, Butker noted, “a life without God is not a life at all, and the cost of salvation is worth more than any career.”

In various asides in his speech, Butker disagreed with “abortion rights, Pride Month, COVID-19 lockdowns and what he called ‘the tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion’ and he also rejected “dangerous gender ideologies.”

These are holy issues for the Left and why the reaction has been loud, over-the-top, and nasty. 

But don’t miss this: Butker spewed no hate speech, leveled no insults, called no one names, evidenced no animosity…just disagreement with certain ideas and values. He simply shared his convictions, his free speech right, and still, mainstream media, from shallow celebrities to Taylor Swift fans to women TV anchors to the NFL, and even an order of nuns, people have reacted as if Butker committed heinous unpardonable sins – which is interesting in itself because most of those who are criticizing Butker probably don’t believe in sin or moral absolutes.

What they condemned, what a petition to get him fired from the Chiefs, which garnered more than 202,000 signatures, is that he dared to speak up for his conservative views. His speech has been described as dehumanizing, “sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion and racist.”

But ESPN NFL broadcaster, Samantha Ponder, called the petition to fire Butker “totally un-American.” She asked, “Is a Catholic espousing traditionally Catholic views to a Catholic audience really that shocking?”  “Why can’t we just respectfully disagree?!”

Now I mentioned at the top of this podcast that the progressive side of the Catholic Church also made news recently. None other than Pope Francis sat down for an interview April 24, 2024 at the Vatican for “60 Minutes” with CBS’s Nora O’Donnell.

O’Donnell reference the Pope’s earlier comments about blessing same-sex couples. “She asked him how he would respond to ‘conservative bishops in the United States that oppose your new efforts to revisit teachings and traditions.’ In his reply, Pope Francis defined a conservative as the ‘suicidal attitude’ of ‘one who clings to something and does not want to see beyond that.’” To say this is a weak and biased definition of conservative is an understatement.

“O’Donnell also asked Pope Francis for his thoughts on the state of Texas’ efforts to shutter Annunciation House, a Catholic nonprofit sheltering migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. He said, ‘That is madness. Sheer madness. To close the border and leave them there, that is madness. The migrant has to be received. Thereafter you see how you are going to deal with him. Maybe you have to send him back, I don’t know, but each case ought to be considered humanely.’” Now the Pope did not say why a migrant “has to be received.” Nor did he say how many migrants are being received at Vatican City.

O’Donnell noted that global warming was among the factors driving the increase in immigration numbers (a scientifically unproven but oft-repeated political allegation). The pontiff said, “Unfortunately, we have gotten to a point of no return.  It’s sad, but that’s what it is.” “Climate change at this moment is a road to death.” “He blamed wealthy countries in ‘great measure’ for the situation because of their economic strength and for having energy policies focused on fossil fuels.”

Here you must wonder. The Pope said we’re at a point of no return on the road to death. If this is true, he offered no solace, no way out. He did not mention the Sovereign God or for that matter anything from Scripture. He only made an anti-capitalist comment blaming wealthy countries, failing to acknowledge it is capitalism that has helped more people out of poverty and enabled more advances in quality of life than any other system.

Pope Francis drew accusations of heresy on social media…for his comments during the…interview about the human heart. The Pope said, “People are fundamentally good. We are all fundamentally good. Yes, there are some rogues and sinners, but the heart itself is good."

Responding to Norah O'Donnell's question regarding what gives him hope when he looks at the world, the pontiff said ‘everything,’ and then went on to list examples of people doing good things as evidence of humanity's essential goodness.”

Many criticized Pope Francis for his remarks, with some accusing him of failing to grasp the basic teaching of the Gospel. Scripture says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9).

Pope Francis offered classic theological liberalism, shared politically progressive talking points, did not point people to the Word or the Lord, and gave his audience no encouragement, means of reconciliation, or hope.

It’s a fascinating time when a professional football player shares views more consistent with Judeo-Christianity and Catholic understanding, more uplifting than the Pope of the Catholic Church.

Well, we’ll see you again soon. This podcast is about Discerning What Is Best. If you find this thought-provoking and helpful, follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Download an episode for your friends. For more Christian commentary, check my website, r-e-x-m as in Martin, that’s rexmrogers.com. 

And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.

© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2024   

*This podcast blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers or https://twitter.com/RexMRogers.

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Written by: Rex M. Rogers

Published: 22 April 2024

In this presidential election year, the public often looks at what a candidate says he believes, and this seems like a good thing to do, but did you know that historically the religion a president professes doesn’t seem to predict his behavior or success in office?

Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #146 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.

This is a presidential election year, and a raucous one at that, so perhaps we should pause at least once and think about whether the ultimately elected president’s religion even matters.

Let’s begin with the best. Abraham Lincoln is near universally considered the greatest president in American history. Many scholars also regard Lincoln as America’s greatest “civil theologian.” Lincoln remains the only president who used the name Jesus Christ rather than simply God in his public utterances. His Second Inaugural Address delivered March 4, 1865, stands as one of the most impressive theologically infused orations in American political history. 

However, Christian historian Mark A. Noll said, “Considerable uncertainty arises…when Lincoln’s own religion is examined. On the one hand, it is obvious that Christianity exerted a profound influence on his life…On the other hand, Lincoln never joined a church nor ever made a clear profession of standard Christian beliefs. While he read the Bible in the White House, he was not in the habit of saying grace before meals…(yet) Lincoln's speeches and conversation revealed a spiritual perception far above the ordinary. It is one of the great ironies of the history of Christianity in America that the most profoundly religious analysis of the nation's deepest trauma came not from a clergyman or a theologian but from a politician who was self-taught in the ways of both God and humanity.”

Yet if Americans had looked simply to Lincoln’s record of church affiliation and public professions of spiritual rectitude, they never would have elected him.

So, does a president’s religion matter?  Yes and No. Yes, if religion is defined as personal convictions, attitudes, behaviors, and character based upon theological understanding. No, if religion means denominational affiliation, spiritual posturing, a capacity for quoting Scripture or using its phrasing in slogans for political objectives—think Bill Clinton’s “New Covenant”—or even having the “right” view on litmus test political issues. In recent American decades the electorate and certainly the “Christian community” have focused more on the latter than the former.

Let’s look back at a few presidents. President Harry S. Truman was a gifted leader who made it to the White House on talent, hard work, common sense, and FDR’s untimely death. Truman’s presidency proved momentous, and his leadership is gaining respect as decades pass. He claimed to be a Baptist, but his penchant for cursing during radio addresses and his “Give ‘em hell, Harry” approach disillusioned many of his Christian supporters.

In 1960, pundits predicted Democrat JFK would never win the nomination much less the presidency because he was Catholic. Then Kennedy won the primary in heavily Protestant West Virginia by landslide.  After that, not many people talked about whether a President Kennedy would be subservient to the Pope. As it turned out, Kennedy’s Catholicism was in little evidence during his presidency, while his sexual adventurism with Marilyn Monroe and others took more of his time, coming to light years after his assassination in 1963. 

Following the unpopular and morally crude LBJ, a member of the Disciples of Christ, and an even more unpopular war, Republican Richard M. Nixon won the presidency on a second try in 1968.A Quaker, his presidency, reputation, and legacy bowed to resignation in 1974, the victim of his actions in the Watergate cover-up. The “law and order” President left office a lawbreaker. 

In 1976, Democrat Jimmy Carter was embraced by Christians and appreciated for declaring himself “born again.” He taught Sunday School even as President. In the 2000s, Republican George W. Bushexperienced much the same, acceptance by Christians and appreciation for his saying “Jesus Christ” was his favorite political philosopher. There’s little doubt both Carter and Bush are genuine believers. Yet their political views are dramatically different, and both experienced degrees of rejection by Christians for what some consider ineffective presidencies. 

During the 1980s, Ronald Reagan was regarded as deeply religious, but he rarely went to church. Reagan’s religious convictions and certainly his spiritual life are variously even contradictorily described by members of his own family.     

During the 1990s William Clinton’s administration enjoyed a good economy and is remembered for positive accomplishment. But Baptist Clinton, who claims Christian faith and discusses religious matters knowledgeably, conducted a White House affair with Monica Lewinsky, then lied about it under oath.       

Former president Barack Obama repeatedly said he is a Christian, yet some still express concerns about his religious heritage, i.e., his Muslim father and his education in Muslim schools.    

Donald Trump has a record of no real church attendance, earlier lived a promiscuous life with multiple marriages, and said he never asked God for forgiveness because he didn’t know of anything for which he needed forgiveness. Yet while President, Mr. Trump held up the Bible in a photo-op in front of a Washington, D.C. church and he has consistently defended religious liberty. 

President Joe Biden makes a show of being Catholic, crosses himself publicly, but some American bishops say he should be denied the Eucharist because of his views of reproductive rights. Biden promotes abortion on demand to birth, calls it a constitutional right, pushes this view on other nations of the world as a requirement to qualify for US foreign aid. He is also known for roaring temper, a filthy vocabulary, and questionable financial ethics.

Have you heard the expression, “Americans get the President they deserve”? What this means is that Presidents are often more a symptom than a cause. Yes, who they are is important and can influence the course of the nation’s future. But who elected them in the first place is what’s key.

For example, about 68% of Americans consider themselves Christians, but only 6% of Americans hold a biblical worldview. Less than half of those who self-identify as Christians actually “born again.” And when you look deeper at biblical worldview, well, beginning with older generations down to the youngest, biblical worldview understanding falls off a cliff:

65+           8% have a biblical worldview.

50s-64      5%

30s-40s    3%

30-under, 1%

Christian social researcher, George Barna, says, “The biblical worldview is shuffling toward the edge of the cliff.  As things stand today, biblical theism is much closer to extinction in America than it is to influencing the soul of the nation.” 

If this is the population electing our presidents, is it then any wonder we get presidents who are not necessarily paragons of virtue?

The US has had effective Presidents whose religious inclinations were seemingly of little consequence in their lives. And we’ve had ineffective Presidents whose faith meant a great deal to them, as well as Presidents with glaring personal issues whose religious identity was promoted. It is, therefore, difficult to escape the conclusion that professed religion doesn’t predict much about political leaders’ actions.

So, what really matters in terms of a President’s spiritual quality? The same thing that matters for the rest of us—character, founded upon worthy values. Is the political leader honest, truthful, humble, respectful, gracious, trustworthy, diligent in work, and moral? This may sound like the political leader is running for Boy or Girl Scout. But give the Scouts credit, they figured out a long time ago what makes a person a better person, and leader.  

Pay less attention to candidates’ religious identity and scripted photo-ops and more attention to the pattern of their lives.     

Scripture reminds us—“In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.”  Prov 21:1-3

“Righteousness,” we are told, “exalts a nation Prov 14:34, not only a president’s but more importantly our own, the people’s values, attitudes, and behaviors.  

But either way, we should not worry, “for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is exalted” Ps 47:9.

Well, we’ll see you again soon. This podcast is about Discerning What Is Best. If you find this thought-provoking and helpful, follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Download an episode for your friends. For more Christian commentary, check my website, r-e-x-m as in Martin, that’s rexmrogers.com. 

And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.

© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2024     

*This podcast blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers or https://twitter.com/RexMRogers.

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Written by: Rex M. Rogers

Published: 28 February 2024

“The idea of a Christian America means different things to different people. Pollsters have found a wide circle of Americans who hold general God-and-country sentiments. But within that is a smaller…group who also check other boxes in surveys – such as that the U.S. Constitution was inspired by God and that the federal government should declare the U.S. a Christian nation, advocate Christian values or stop enforcing the separation of church and state.”