OPINION:
Democrats have had trouble in recent years attracting conservative evangelical voters, who vote mostly for Republicans.
In 2000, Vice President Al Gore gave it a try. He failed badly when he said the first instance of pollution in the Bible is when “Abel’s blood cried out from the ground” after his brother Cain murdered him. Mr. Gore said this meant Abel’s blood had “defiled” or “polluted” the ground, rendering it incapable of yielding crops.
Not exactly.
Now comes James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat from Texas currently held by Republican John Cornyn. Mr. Talarico is giving it another try.
This time, the appeal to religious voters is more subtle. Media refer to Mr. Talarico as a “Christian” and “seminarian.” No one should question the legitimacy of another person’s faith, but as Jesus warned: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-20)
A visit to Mr. Talarico’s campaign website displays his “fruits” on several issues, all of which could be held by a secular liberal. Curiously (or maybe not), there is no mention of his views on social issues other than a statement that might be regarded as ideological and theological pablum.
Mr. Talarico opposes school choice and vouchers that allow the parents of public school children, especially poor children trapped in underperforming schools, to get a good education in private schools. The teachers unions oppose school choice and contribute heavily to Democratic candidates who share their view.
Mr. Talarico also believes in “climate change,” though that issue has sharply declined among voter priorities.
Now, about the seminary he attended, but from which he has not yet graduated. Not all seminaries are the same. Some deny central doctrines of the Christian faith, including the virgin birth, the bodily resurrection of Christ, the authority of Scripture and the miracles, among other things. Some attempt to marry the world’s secular agenda with the “kingdom not of this world.”
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA, considered by many to be a theological and politically liberal denomination. On its website, in addition to a “Green Seminary” declaration, is this: “Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary affirms the God-given dignity of all persons and recognizes persons of all faith traditions to be uniquely created in God’s image. The Seminary welcomes people of all races, cultures, abilities, sexual orientations, gender expressions, and socioeconomic status to learn and study at this school of the church.”
That sounds very inclusive and like an example of how the world thinks, but Scripture teaches that the Gospel is exclusive, meaning that to be saved from the fires of hell, one must repent of one’s sins and receive Jesus Christ as savior. That has been Christian doctrine for 2,000 years. Nothing on the seminary’s site, and nothing I have discovered on Mr. Talarico’s site, reflects these central doctrines.
The most important question for voters to consider is what difference Mr. Talarico’s proclaimed faith makes in his policy positions. Many liberal Democrats link whatever faith they claim to have to government programs and spending. Mr. Talarico does that when he says we don’t live in a left-right country but rather in a top-down one.
It’s the old Robin Hood Democratic playbook. Again, a secular liberal who never went to seminary (and some people who did) could affirm what Mr. Talarico believes.
Texas voters should not be fooled because “not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) Or perhaps the U.S. Senate.
• Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book, “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (Humanix Books).
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