This might be the most controversial blog I have written since it is election and a Christian pastor is running for president. I have nothing against Bro Eddie Villanueva and I have the highest respect for him – so the blog would be very objective. 
The question is do we need Christians in public office? Not just a president – but also senators, congressmen, mayors, vice-mayors, governors and barangay captains.
THE ANSWER IS AN EMPHATIC YES!
Would it be necessary for Christians to be in public office for God to change the nation?
THE ANSWER IS AN EMPHATIC NO!
If we truly believe that God is sovereign then He can use whoever He wants to change a nation.
Look at history – America had 2 Bible-believing solid Christians who won the presidency. Jimmy Carter and George Bush. Carter is said to be one of the worst president and Bush made a lot of bad decisions.
It is like going to a doctor. Do I want Christians to become doctors? YES! But not just any Christian – I want a specialist. If somebody is going to treat me my first qualification is his/her credentials not his faith.
(Again – i am not saying that Bro Eddie has no credentials. Pastoring a church of millions speaks volumes about his leadership) Back to the blog…..
Throughout history also God has used pagan leaders. Churches have experienced growth and national trasnformation even if the ruler was not a Christian.
So what am I trying to say?
1. Let us pray that there would be more Bible believing Christians running for public office. Let us encourage the people in our church to make a difference in the political arena of this nation.
2. Let us not put too much pressure on the Christians to save this nation. Jesus will transform this nation with or without them. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. If we put the burden on Bro Eddie V to change this nation – he might grow old too soon.
3. To the people who are not running for public office – let us be active in the political process. Register, vote, disciple the nation, bring the church into a dying world. Don’t put too much responsibility to the government. They can only do much.
4. Is Bro Eddie Villanueva destined to become the president of the Philippines? Well it is up to our votes to determine if he really is. If not this year – maybe in the future.
RELATED POSTS:
1. The Christian President Question
2. Why the Government is Failing
very nice post! i think i want to repost it…hmmm
Hi Pastor Dennis, I like your point in number 4…it’s really up to us Christians if we will be united. Ask ko lang hindi ba yun yung point natin sa campus ministry? the reason why we’re reaching out to the next generation is because we believe that they are the next leaders of this country? Eto na po yung chance, and I dont know kung kelan pa yung susunod and lastly, kung tatakbo ba si Ruffy or Kata for presidency, hindi ba natin sila susuportahan?
gusto kolang malaman yung sagot,hehehe, God bless Pastor Dennis!:D
dear jeepneyjesus, if it’s ok with the author, repost but kindly leave out the bickerings here. Let us protect God’s name. it’s just embarrassing to let pre- believers read the comments
Very well said MJ.
Thanks Ptr Dennis for your blog. Way to go!!
if a christian leader wants to go for public office but is compromising the foundations of his faith then its a NO. better look for facts and carefully study the candidate. the grace and favor of God will be very evident on someone that He wants to put in position. For He will even build his reputation amongst believers and non-believers. We don’t shouldn’t underestimate the sovereignty of God. He sets up Kings and deposes them regardless if he is a christian or not. Yes, we are raising leaders but also let’s not forget about accountability here. If he is not most capable for the job, and is okay with compromise should we still support him?
just a thought: we reach out because we want others to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ, not because that one of them will become the next president of this nation. That their relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ will result in an overflow and as a result they become leaders in their own sphere of influence. The end goal is really God so let’s be careful. Above all, let’s reach out in love.
I would always vote for a Christian who would run in politics since this is a sector of our society that needs light and harvest awaits. It is a duty of every saints/Christian/disciple (us) to penetrate the gospel wherever area of society he is called. I am not a pastor but pastors and the remaining of the five fold ministry are called to encourage “us” (the saints) to execute the great commission. We are the ones who are supposed to penetrate NOT THE ONES WHO ARE CALLED TO BE PASTORS. Yes if Bro Eddie like Kata and Ruffy were not in the office of the Pastor, I would vote for him. However this issue now made me confused. Was Eddie V really had the calling to be a pastor to the body of Christ? Paul used his tent making to support his calling. I don’t think becoming a man responsible to change a nation is mere tent making. Make your calling and election sure. David and other God fearing leaders of the old testament happened to be God fearing commoners and pheasants before. They were not the gifts of God to his church (the pastors, apostles, etc) who were meant to serve the disciples of Jesus (us) that is why David and the other Godly kings are called by God to lead the nation. God should have made Paul, a teacher of the law and zealous government official to be the next ceasar of Rome on his time so that Biblical/scriptural Christianity (not the traditional one) would be Rome’s official faith. But Paul is meant to be a servant of Christ’s body (an apostle) his whole life. Because even though Saul used to be zealous for his government, he accepted his calling to be an apostle. If God called our brother, Pastor Eddie to be a ruler of our beloved nation, probably he was not called to be a pastor of our church at all. Please, don’t condemn those who wont readily vote for a pastor to become president as blind and hypocrites. They might just be praying and searching the scriptures before doing any act like voting. To Christ be all the glory
Ang hindi ko lang maintindihan e kung bakit there are lots of Christians who are willing to put all kinds of leaders; actors, actress, idolater, gambler, drunkard, chickboy, convict, etc all kinds of evil people.
Pero pag may Christian na tatakbo for government offices lalo na pag pastor e hindi iboboto dahil BAWAL, and pastoral is the highest calling.
Ewan ko lang sa iba jan ha… Pero this is my sentiment. Many SKEPTIC CHRISTIANS disqualified Bro.Eddie for the so-called “compromising” issues based on theology and the Bible.
But the same SKEPTIC CHRISTIANS are putting up and supporting the more evil people; IDOLATER, CONVICT, CORRUPT, CHICKBOY, IMMORAL.
My challenge is very simple. Tell me your candidate, and let us APPLY the same measures that you used to disqualify Bro.Eddie and there and only there we will see how good is your candidate.
If you indeed can prove that Bro.Eddie will be the least among them, then I will change my vote and give that to your candidate.
But as of NOW, since no one has ever answered nor proved that their candidate is theologically and biblically better than Bro.Eddie (since I have been engage for months in various forums), MY VOTE IS FOR BRO.EDDIE.
Anyone willing to answer? Let me know. You have until tomorrow to convince me.
Ptr. Dennis, blessings to you! May the grace of our Lord abound in you as you continue to prosper in God’s Kingdom.
Ptr. Vince Olaer
@vince great point. Honestly undecided also until now. Trying to still study the platforms of government and the capability to run a country. Hayy, one of the hardest election this 2010.
a good read for everyone http://www.juancountry.com/stop-judging-people-for-their-choice-of-president/
Pastor,
i just like to inform you that your blog, specifically this “The Christian President”
have been read by alot of Christian youth
their decision seems to be greatly attached by this blog
im afraid that they got a misconception about what are you trying to point out.
im just expressing myself about what seems to be circulating around specially for the youth voters..
anyways , your ideas in this blog are great, unfortunately this topic seems to be super sensitive for some (i think that includes me). Praise be to God always
@zion thank you for your concern. I blog my thoughts and the goal is to make people think. The last thing I want is to dictate to people who to vote for. I think everybody can make a decision on their own free will. I just give an unbiased view of the topic.
To all the Bro Eddie fans: Yes he is a qualified and godly candidate to run this country. Vote for him if you wish to. I have no issue whatsoever with it. I think he will be a good president. I think he has the moral leadership to take this country to the next level.
I am still undecided until now. I feel like I will make my decision on may 10. I am still praying earnestly for the candidate I will vote.
If Eddie V. doesn’t win, is our country cursed? Does that mean God’s will didn’t happen?
It is important to think not only of how God works before an election happens. But how even after, God remains God.
Yes it is our responsibility to vote and to vote wisely. But does God’s will rest in our hands? I refuse to believe that God’s Sovereignty can be affected by what we do. Is the only constant thing, the same yesterday today and tomorrow, is His Will subject to change when we disobey? Why then, do we hold on so much to our deeds? It is as if we are praising ourselves and our “power” to make sure God’s Will happens. Is he not God?
He is faithful to those who aren’t. Why? Who knows. I can’t even comprehend it myself. But who are we to question God?
I am thankful that this season of choosing my candidates has brought me to God’s word. And my prayer is that whoever you vote for, you’ve read God’s word, prayed about it and are at peace that God’s Will WILL be done no matter what.
This should not stop us from campaigning, but it should take the weight of having to make everyone choose who we’re choosing off of our backs.
God will do what he pleases. And if it is his will to place Eddie V. as president, it WILL happen. My prayer tho, is that if Eddie V. does not win, is that people will NOT claim that the Will of God did not happen. Let us not forget how Paul(who referred to himself as chief of sinners) was God’s chosen to proclaim His Word throughout the land.
Let us prepare our hearts and feed them with the Word of God.
Trusting God is not = trusting that our candidate will win.
Trusting God is trusting His will will happen.
Trusting God is trusting that whether our candidate wins or not, God is good and he will not stop being sovereign.
Trusting God is leaning NOT on our own understanding.
Let us humble ourselves before God and pray by His grace, we will trust him no matter what. Let us remember that as Christians, it is Christ we are following.
Pastor Dennis, I thank God for your obedience in writing this blog. It has come to my attention that the Sovereignty of God isn’t being given much value.
This is the best time to talk about the greatness of God instead many choose to dwell on campaigning for their candidate while loosing their patience and tact in speaking/typing.
Let us ask ourselves in everything we do “Is God being glorified?”
I write this in love and in hope that readers will not forget that God reigns in everything.
May God shine His glory upon this nation.
@sarah wow I am amazed at your insight. Glad you got the message not of my blog but of God’s sovereignty over this nation. God is God whoever wins
It is true that God is sovereign and that whoever wins, His will will eventually happen. But is it an excuse for us not to do our part? God has told us to pray that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Why did He have to tell us to pray if the outcome of this election will be what His perfect will is? Because there is a battle going on. Our obedience as the body of Christ will determine if we will see His promise happen in this generation or if it will be delayed. We should ask Him who His chosen candidate is (for Has chosen) and for Him to reveal it to us. And not for us to decide based on who we think is the best person. If we ask, then He will answer. We just have to listen.
Just a thought, if we choose a pagan over a christian leader, aren’t we relying on a man’s capability more instead of God’s wisdom given by grace to His servant? God is indeed sovereign over all and I pray that whoever wins, he is not our best but is God’s best for the Philippines.
well said, sarah
Looking at the leading candidates right now, I’m not really sure if God is blessing us with a new government. God does Bless or Curse a land out of His sovereign will and through people’s obedience or disobedience. “You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me” (Mal. 3:9). This speaks of tithes and offering but can we see how corrupt officials rob? Let’s pray earnestly that we don’t fall on the latter as a people.
Pingback: scribbles on my second haven
praise God for all of your inspiring thoughts. Let’s cntnue pray and glorify God.