EARLIER THIS WEEK PRESIDENTIAL hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama got a chance to brandish their religious credentials before a conservative Christian college in rural Pennsylvania, site of the next Democratic primary contest. The Compassion Forum, hosted by Messiah College and CNN, allowed the candidates to discuss their faith and explain how it informs their politics. We learned little about their religious principles, however, and much about the murky political theology that has attracted evangelical audiences to their message.
For most of the evening, co-moderators Jon Meacham and Campbell Brown couldn’t decide if they were managing a forum on religion and politics, a theology seminar, or a faith-based segment of Dr. Phil. Meacham asked Clinton a loopy question about whether she senses “moments of grace” in her life. Clinton spoke about forgiveness and unconditional love. Brown asked her to name her favorite Bible story. She offered some thoughts on Esther. Then came this existential item: Why do you think a loving God allows innocent people to suffer? “I have just pondered it endlessly,” she said. “But . . . there is no doubt in my mind that God calls us to respond.” Clinton’s answers were modest, if not always precise, and she got applause for her earnestness.
