The Christian Testimony of Condoleezza Rice

The Layman, October 2002, via Rice2008.com ^ | October 2002 | Condoleezza Rice, Ph.D

[txzman]

My thoughts also - the absence of the powerful word "Jesus" makes me wonder. But then again, it is not mine to judge :)

[GBA]

Thanks for posting this. Today has been a particularly bad day and, as such, some of what she said is helpful.

I think it is perhaps appropriate, given the recent election, to take a moment and contrast the difference between the Republican and Democrat parties and their recognition and elevation of blacks in government. Compare Condoleezza Rice to Dr. Joycelyn Elders. Both make a representative statement about black Americans. I don't mean this comparison to belittle Dr. Joycelyn Elders and her efforts, but I do believe that there is a world of difference between the two women.

Moreover, I don't believe that race and gender have anything to do with Condoleezza Rice's position in the Bush administration, but much to do with Dr. Joycelyn Elders' position in the Clinton administration.

It seems to me that the party of Lincoln has done a much better job of living Dr. King's vision of recognition of ability and charater above color (and gender) than the party of "America's first black president". G.W. Bush doesn't seem to see color, but he sure can spot, promote and surround himself with ability.

[votelife]

Much talk has been written about Rice's views on abortion. I think she has said she is "moderate" on this issue, meaning pro-abortion in some cases. I don't think she supports partial-birth, and she probably supports parental notification.

The main reason why her views on this issue are important is because she is being touted as a potential VP/P pick. Remember, G.H.W.B used to be pro-abortion, but he "changed" his mind to join Reagan's ticket. People can debate how much his views changed. He did a lot of pro-life things, the best of which was putting Thomas on the court. Of course he also gave us Souter...Back to Rice. If she ever were VP or Pres, but especially Pres, I would expect that she too would at least have a public "conversion." She may already be changing to pro-life. We should pray for her. If she does, or already has, she's not going to call a press conference for it. But if she's ever in a position to appoint judges, we need to apply a lot of pressure on her!

[rintense]

Has she stated publically what her views are? I've heard both sides. Perhaps she will let us all know when the time is right.

[smokinleroy]

What's with all the Protestant-bashing? Would you lump her in with, say, the Baptists, or the "Bible-Churchers" as being without "true faith"?

[Technogeeb]

Yes, she is laissez-faire abortion, regulation for everything else.

Not exactly. She's the only person in the Bush administration I've heard who claimed that she was "a 2nd amendment absolutist" (i.e., no federal regulations whatsoever). Personally, she has described herself as "mildly pro-choice", the exact same words used by Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

She probably isn't sufficiently conservative on the abortion issue to get a republican nomination, but several people in the pro-life camp (such as Jerry Falwell) have spoken very highly of her when she explained her views privately. Her views on the 2nd amendment (i.e., the roll-back of all federal restrictions) would also probably make her unelectable to the general population as well.

[Pinetop]

Amen to Condy and to your post!!!

[votelife]

I've never seen her say anything about it...Not really relavent for NSA, but I've read that she's moderate on it. W didn't use to be a Christian until around his 40s. Then in debates he was giving credit to Christ. If he can change, I hope that Condi can change, especially if the party wants to run her as a future candidate. I think she would be great, but I'd want to hear more about her views on the life issue.

[2sheep]

>My thoughts also - the absence of the powerful word "Jesus" makes me wonder. But then again, it is not mine to judge

No, it IS yours to judge, rebuke, reprove, discern, take heed lest you be deceived, etc. 

 "Judge Rightly" Is Not Some Guy’s Name

 Nicer than God

 Nice is NOT a fruit of the Spirit

 CHRISTIANS ARE TOO NICE........!!!!!!!

 When nice is a vice

 HELP MY INTOLERANCE

[B-Chan]

Not at all. I'm referring to the fact that many mainstream Protestant denominations (such as the Rice's Presbyterians) tend to approve of contraception and abortion while preaching a social gospel heavy on the feel-good and light on the Jesus. No bashing of Protestants as such was intended.

By the way: most Baptists do not consider their denomination to be Protestant.

[TheBattman]

Exactly what I picked up on - I really didn't hear much "Christian Testimony" in that article. Mostly just that there is some sort of faith in a "creator".

[onedoug]

One God. One morality. Decency toward others. Deed over creed.

[smokinleroy]

No bashing of Protestants as such was intended.

Oh, I guess the phrase "Well, she is a mainstream Protestant, after all" kind of sounded like you meant all mainstream Protestants.

most Baptists do not consider their denomination to be Protestant

Never heard that before. Do you consider Baptists to be mainstream Protestants?

[B-Chan]

Oh, I guess the phrase "Well, she is a mainstream Protestant, after all" kind of sounded like you meant all mainstream Protestants.

No. I meant that Dr. Rice's beliefs are typical of mainstream Protestants, which they are. I apologize for my imprecision.

..."Most Baptists do not consider their denomination to be Protestant." Never heard that before. Do you consider Baptists to be mainstream Protestants?

No.

[smokinleroy]

I do agree with others here that there's something fishy about someone's "Christian Testimony" that makes no reference to salvation or personal faith in Christ. Otherwise, she does seem to be a good conservative (plus she's pleasant to look at).

[twntaipan]

When you are in a community of the faithful, it makes a very big difference not only in how people treat each other but in how they treat the task at hand.

This is a great line. It is the essence of the difference between Clintonistas and Bush.

[katana]

most Baptists do not consider their denomination to be Protestant

As someone raised Baptist and now belonging to the Disciples of Christ denomination, I'm curious to know where you picked up that little tidbit. Respectfully, I think you are wrong. The Southern Baptist Convention (I believe the largest single grouping of that denomination) is most definitely Protestant in outlook and practice. And some of them even like to dance.

As far as Ms. Rice's views on abortion are concerned, I believe she struggles with the issue as many people do. It may take her a lot of time and much prayer, but I for one am not going to condemn her for this.

As a Roman Catholic you may have a different view since, correct me if I'm wrong, your task is to submit to church teaching and just push all doubts aside. For us it is much more a personal struggle and journey, and I would vote for Condoleeza Rice for any office she might choose to run for in a second.

[FreedomFriend]

Baptists (Protestants) aren't "Pro-Choice".

[B-Chan]

As someone raised Baptist and now belonging to the Disciples of Christ denomination, I'm curious to know where you picked up that little tidbit. Respectfully, I think you are wrong.

I very well might be. Most non-Baptist sources (including the Catholic Encyclopedia) class the Baptists as a Protestant movement, but of the Baptist sources I've read almost none of them claims kinship with or descent from the Protestant movement started by Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli. Here's just a small sampling of Baptist denials of Protestantism I've found on the Web:

Flamingtorch.org: "The Christian Flag is a Protestant flag, not a Baptist flag!"

Pastor Martin Lamb of the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, Bedford, Indiana: "Baptists are not Protestants and never have been."

Pastor Steve Sparks, Victory Independent Fundamental Baptist Church, Loganville, Ga.:"Baptists are not Protestants! The name Protestant was given to those churches which came out of Roman Catholicism during the Reformation which began in the 1500's. It originally applied through the 1700's to Lutherans, and Anglicans. Later Presbyterians, Episcopalians and Methodist were added to the lists of Protestants denominations. Though many people including Webster's Dictionary refers Baptists as being Protestants, it is not correct to refer to them as such or to lump all non-Catholic denominations in one group and label them Protestant. Historically, Baptists were never a part of the Roman Catholic Church or the Protestant Reformation and therefore can not be correctly called "protestors" or Protestants... Baptists, basing their beliefs solely on the Bible, have never held to these teachings and see them as heresy. Thus, history and the doctrines of Protestantism clearly show that Baptists are not Protestants. "

Are Baptists Protestants? I don't think so; like the mainstream Protestants, they are reformed in theology and congregational in structure, but they do not claim descent from the "reformers" of the 16th Century. In fact, most of the Baptist sources I've read claim that "Jesus was a Baptist" as well as all of the Apostles and saints of the early Church!

I only hope they don't realize that Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine. Then we're all in trouble.

[kathleenlisson]

"Find me a conservative, intelligent, Catholic black woman politician and I'll support her. " What about a conservative, intelligent Catholic white woman? Me-Me-Me! Kathleen