Chuck Colson interacts with former President Jimmy Carter on a number of issues. The interesting point in the discussion is to hear Carter taking credit for the growth of Christianity in China.
Carter observes that “Christianity is growing quite rapidly because of the demonstration of Christ’s teachings by those who have gone there as missionaries and so forth.” The former president echoes many of the liberal talking points, and at times implies that though Jesus is the best way, he is not the only way (a claim Colson quickly clarifies).
Jimmy Carter also dealt with his conviction on Roe v. Wade during his presidency:
“I didn’t have any problem with that when I was president, but I did have a problem with the abortion issue,” he says, “because I am very conservative on the abortion issue, but I had to comply with the Roe vs. Wade ruling of the Supreme Court. So I did everything I could to minimize the need for abortion, even though I regretted the liberality of the Supreme Court ruling. But that was the only conflict that I found with my religious faith and my political obligations while I was in the White House. I thought Roe vs. Wade violated the basic principles that I thought Jesus Christ would espouse.”
Carter is an enigmatic figure. One can disagree wholeheartedly with his political ideologies–as I do– but at the same time find his commitment to human rights and Jesus Christ honorable.
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