WASHINGTON (BP)—Democrat Barack Obama made history Nov. 4 by becoming the first African American elected to the U.S. presidency, but the victory left many evangelical Christians and other social conservatives concerned his administration will undermine pro-life and pro-family policies.

Florida elected pro-gay rights presidential candidate Barack Obama, helping him win the White House, even while resoundingly rejecting “gay marriage” by adopting the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment with a 62 percent super majority. In these two developments we have both the danger and promise of the future for those of us concerned about biblical morality in public policy.

WASHINGTON (BP)-Barack Obama made history Nov. 4 in many ways, not least of which was giving pro-choicers hope they finally may be able to pass the Freedom of Choice Act, a bill that pro-lifers call the most radical piece of abortion rights legislation ever introduced.

GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP)—Scripture provides guidance for Christians in deciding which candidate to support on Election Day, Texas pastor Ed Young Jr. told his congregation Oct. 19.

You may never have heard of Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher but you are familiar with his other name “Joe the plumber.” Joe is a 35 year old man who is an employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating and a resident of Holland, Ohio. He recently came to national attention during the Oct. 15, 2008 presidential debate when his name was mentioned by both candidates at least 23 times.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—For the past several weeks, the Witness has run Baptist Press stories which focused on one specific issue and detailed where the two major presidential candidates stand. Called “In Their Own Words,” the stories avoided commentary and instead presented the candidates’ views as they have stated them in the past—either in interviews, speeches, debates or on their campaign websites. Among the topics that covered were abortion,the definition of marriage and gay rights, Supreme Court nominees, Darfur, the energy crisis, the environment, Iraq, immigration and taxes. For the final installment of the “In Their Own Words,” check online only at www.FloridaBaptistWitness.com Nov. 1.

ORLANDO (FBW)-Mathew Staver of Liberty Counsel in Orlando believes that a citizen’s vote is akin to a “talent” left in the hands of servants when their master went on a journey, according to Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25. Like the servants who received portions of their master’s wealth to manage, Christians will one day have to answer for how they used their votes, he said.

This presidential election is the most important one in decades—perhaps even one of the most important since our nation’s founding. So it is said by partisans of all political stripes. It seems similar comments are made every four years.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—In the past several weeks, the Witness has featured Baptist Press stories which focused on specific issues and detail where the two major presidential candidates stand. Called “In Their Own Words,” the stories have avoided commentary and instead presented the candidates’ views as they have stated them in the past—either in interviews, speeches, debates or on their campaign websites. Among the topics that have been covered are abortion, the definition of marriage and gay rights, Supreme Court nominees, Darfur, the energy crisis, the environment, Iraq, immigration and taxes.

Editor’s note: Florida Baptist Witness will be publishing a summary of the major party presidential candidates’ positions on significant issues in the Oct. 23 issue.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—For the next several weeks, the Witness will periodically run Baptist Press stories which will focus on one specific issue and detail where the two major presidential candidates stand. Called “In Their Own Words,” the stories will avoid commentary and instead present the candidates’ views as they have stated them in the past—either in interviews, speeches, debates or on their campaign websites. Among the topics that will be covered are abortion, the definition of marriage and gay rights, Supreme Court nominees, Darfur, the energy crisis, the environment, Iraq, immigration and taxes.

In the wake of the vice presidential nomination of Gov. Sarah Palin, much news media attention has been given to the manner in which evangelical Christians who affirm the biblical prohibition of women serving as senior pastor in the church is assumed to apply to the role of women in society. Oftentimes, the assumptions are incorrect, especially when applied by a secular news media unable (and sometimes unwilling) to understand evangelicals.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—For the next several weeks, the Witness will periodically run Baptist Press stories which will focus on one specific issue and detail where the two major presidential candidates stand. Called “In Their Own Words,” the stories will avoid commentary and instead present the candidates’ views as they have stated them in the past—either in interviews, speeches, debates or on their campaign websites. Among the topics that will be covered are abortion, the definition of marriage and gay rights, Supreme Court nominees, Darfur, the energy crisis, the environment, Iraq, immigration and taxes.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—For the next several weeks, the Witness will periodically run Baptist Press stories which will focus on one specific issue and detail where the two major presidential candidates stand. Called “In Their Own Words,” the stories will avoid commentary and instead present the candidates’ views as they have stated them in the past—either in interviews, speeches, debates or on their campaign websites. Among the topics covered are abortion, the definition of marriage.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—For the next two months, the Witness will periodically run Baptist Press stories which will focus on one specific issue and detail where the two major presidential candidates stand. Called “In Their Own Words,” the stories will avoid commentary and instead present the candidates’ views as they have stated them in the past—either in interviews, speeches, debates or on their campaign websites. Among the topics covered are abortion, the definition of marriage and gay rights, Supreme Court nominees, Darfur, the energy crisis, the environment, Iraq, immigration and taxes.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—For the next two months, the Witness will periodically run Baptist Press stories which will focus on one specific issue and detail where the two major presidential candidates stand. Called “In Their Own Words,” the stories will avoid commentary and instead present the candidates’ views as they have stated them in the past—either in interviews, speeches, debates or on their campaign websites. Among the topics that will be covered are abortion, the definition of marriage and gay rights, Supreme Court nominees, Darfur, the energy crisis, the environment, Iraq, immigration and taxes.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama asserted Aug. 16 that National Right to Life was “lying” about his record as an Illinois state senator in opposing a bill commonly known as the Born Alive Infants Protection Act, a bill pro-lifers say protects against infanticide. As it turns out, Obama apparently was the one wrong on the facts.

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (BP)—Evangelical leaders say presumptive Republican nominee John McCain made significant strides toward attracting the votes of social conservatives Aug. 16 during a presidential forum in which he and Democrat Barack Obama differed sharply on abortion, “gay rights” and the judiciary.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Republican John McCain’s choice of a running mate, particularly his or her views on abortion rights, will go a long way toward determining whether evangelicals support him this fall, Richard Land said on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” July 22.

ORLANDO (FBW)—Mathew Staver of Liberty Counsel in Orlando believes that a citizen’s vote is akin to a “talent” left in the hands of servants when their master went on a journey, according to Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25. Like the servants who received portions of their master’s wealth to manage, Christians will one day have to answer for how they used their votes, he said.