It's hard for me to believe that anyone who considers themselves to be a Christian would even consider voting for Newt Gingrich for President. Yet, according to CNN exit polling, Newt Gingrich received a large amount of votes from self proclaimed evangelical Christians. That is appalling.
As a Christian, I do believe in redemption. But, I see no evidence of redemption in the life of Newt Gingrich. When people receive redemption from God, people are humbled by that. Imagine, God sent His Son to die for me and purchased my redemption. That is a humbling thought. But, humility is something Newt Gingrich has never been accused of, as far as I know.
When John King asked Newt Gingrich about what Newt's second wife has been saying, was his response one of humility? I should say not. A humble response would be; "I am a sinful man. I have committed many sins in my life. But I have repented and received forgiveness from God. I hope my ex-wives and the people of this country can forgive me as well." But that's not what he did! His response was one of indignant defensiveness. Newt lashed at everybody. His ex-wife, John King and the media. He did not respond as a Christian should.
Newt Gingrich insisted in discussing the terms of divorce with first wife as she lay in a hospital bed battling cancer. He committed adultery, and eventually married his second wife, the woman he committed adultery with. It is his second wife that has been making statements that Newt wanted an open marriage. She refused. And how did Newt handle her refusal? He divorced her. Then he married the second "other woman" in his adulterous affairs, his current wife, Callista. You can read about Newt's marriages here: http://marriage.about.com/od/politics/a/gingrichn.htm
This is a portion of the article at the above link:
Then there were those ethics violations he paid a $300,000 dollar fine for, which you can read about here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/012297.htm
If Newt never received redemption for his wicked behavior, then it is not forgiven, and is fair to ask him about it, as is any unrepented sin. But those so called Christians in South Carolina obviously don't understand this. God still holds unrepented sin against the impenitent person. And there is no evidence that Newt ever repented. Too the contrary, his attitude suggests he never repented. Otherwise, why was he so defensive when John King asked him that question?
Those evangelical Christians in South Carolina are obviously ignorant of what the Bible teaches about repentance. They could not otherwise vote for Newt Gingrich for President with a clear conscience. To receive forgiveness from God you must first ask for it. Once received, you must exhibit fruits of repentance. A prime example of this is the apostle Paul. Paul persecuted Christians. But he did repent, yet he was never was defensive. Too the contrary, Paul called himself, "the chief of sinners." Apostle Paul exhibited humility about his sinfulness, not an indignant defensiveness. And so should Newt Gingrich if he truly repented.
The evangelical Christians of South Carolina might as well have voted for Herod the Great. In my opinion, Newt Gingrich is every bit as grandiose and bombastic as he was. Newt may very well be the most flawed man to ever run for President.
For once I agree with Rick Santorum. You never know when Newt will snap.
If Newt Gingrich is the Republican nominee come November, I would be motivated to work hard to get President Obama re-elected. As flawed as President Obama has been, he is not close to being as flawed as a President Gingrich would be.
As a Christian, I do believe in redemption. But, I see no evidence of redemption in the life of Newt Gingrich. When people receive redemption from God, people are humbled by that. Imagine, God sent His Son to die for me and purchased my redemption. That is a humbling thought. But, humility is something Newt Gingrich has never been accused of, as far as I know.
When John King asked Newt Gingrich about what Newt's second wife has been saying, was his response one of humility? I should say not. A humble response would be; "I am a sinful man. I have committed many sins in my life. But I have repented and received forgiveness from God. I hope my ex-wives and the people of this country can forgive me as well." But that's not what he did! His response was one of indignant defensiveness. Newt lashed at everybody. His ex-wife, John King and the media. He did not respond as a Christian should.
Newt Gingrich insisted in discussing the terms of divorce with first wife as she lay in a hospital bed battling cancer. He committed adultery, and eventually married his second wife, the woman he committed adultery with. It is his second wife that has been making statements that Newt wanted an open marriage. She refused. And how did Newt handle her refusal? He divorced her. Then he married the second "other woman" in his adulterous affairs, his current wife, Callista. You can read about Newt's marriages here: http://marriage.about.com/od/politics/a/gingrichn.htm
This is a portion of the article at the above link:
The most notorious incident in Gingrich's marriage ... was when he cornered Jackie in her hospital room where she was recovering from uterine cancer surgery and insisted on discussing the terms of the divorce he was seeking. Shortly after that infamous encounter, Gingrich refused to pay his alimony and child-support payments. The First Baptist Church in his hometown had to take up a collection to support the family Gingrich had deserted. Six months after divorcing Jackie, Gingrich married a younger woman, Marianne, with whom he had been having an affair."
Source: Stephen Talbot. "Newt's Glass House." Salon.com. 8/28/1998.
Then there were those ethics violations he paid a $300,000 dollar fine for, which you can read about here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/012297.htm
If Newt never received redemption for his wicked behavior, then it is not forgiven, and is fair to ask him about it, as is any unrepented sin. But those so called Christians in South Carolina obviously don't understand this. God still holds unrepented sin against the impenitent person. And there is no evidence that Newt ever repented. Too the contrary, his attitude suggests he never repented. Otherwise, why was he so defensive when John King asked him that question?
Those evangelical Christians in South Carolina are obviously ignorant of what the Bible teaches about repentance. They could not otherwise vote for Newt Gingrich for President with a clear conscience. To receive forgiveness from God you must first ask for it. Once received, you must exhibit fruits of repentance. A prime example of this is the apostle Paul. Paul persecuted Christians. But he did repent, yet he was never was defensive. Too the contrary, Paul called himself, "the chief of sinners." Apostle Paul exhibited humility about his sinfulness, not an indignant defensiveness. And so should Newt Gingrich if he truly repented.
The evangelical Christians of South Carolina might as well have voted for Herod the Great. In my opinion, Newt Gingrich is every bit as grandiose and bombastic as he was. Newt may very well be the most flawed man to ever run for President.
For once I agree with Rick Santorum. You never know when Newt will snap.
If Newt Gingrich is the Republican nominee come November, I would be motivated to work hard to get President Obama re-elected. As flawed as President Obama has been, he is not close to being as flawed as a President Gingrich would be.
