Advocating Absalom: Vicky Hartzler's views on Christian political activism

Pulaski County Daily News ^ | 10/25/2010 | Darrell Todd Maurina

[darrellmaurina]

(Oct. 25, 2010) — Republican Congressional candidate Vicky Hartzler has clearly identified herself for many years as an evangelical Christian, dating back to her days in the state legislature from 1995 to 2000 and then as a spokeswoman for the successful 2004 campaign to amend the Missouri state constitution to ban gay marriage. While Hartzler’s opponent, 17-term U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton, has attacked Hartzler on numerous issues, he’s avoided her religious beliefs and church affiliation. Others have been less restrained. In recent weeks, some journalists have asked if Hartzler will be the young “David” to defeat the powerful “Goliath” of Skelton, using the limited resources of a slingshot to defeat a heavily armored and experienced enemy. To read the writings of some of Hartzler’s critics, including an article last week in the liberal magazine Mother Jones which asked the question: “Is Vicky Hartzler the Most Anti-Gay Candidate in America?,” one might think that Hartzler is a female version of Moral Majority founder Jerry Falwell or 700 Club broadcaster Pat Robertson, spouting fiery anti-liberal rhetoric laced with Scripture at every opportunity. However, reading of Hartzler’s book on Christian politics, “Running God’s Way; Step by Step to a Successful Political Campaign,” shows a very different picture. She barely mentions abortion and gay marriage; rather than fiery attacks on sin and proclaiming a need to “take back America” from wickedness, Hartzler praises Absalom, a rebellious son of King David, as being the “first politician” and an example for modern political leaders. In Hartzler’s words, “Absalom won over the hearts of the people of Israel using time-tested campaign strategies. We, too, can campaign successfully following these same guidelines.” Absalom’s name is linked in Judeo-Christian theology with wicked usurpers who hated God and His ordained rulers, creating chaos by leading revolts against duly constituted authority.

[massgopguy]

I presided over a service organization meeting after the 2004 election. One of the members was speaking loudly about how it was that Evangelical Christians were allowed to vote because it violates Separation of Church and state. I don’t know what bothered me more. The fact that she had been a lawyer. Or the fact that she’s a nearly 90 year old Jewish woman who should have a better memory of religious oppression.