While the religious right is less powerful now than it was in its 1980s and 1990s heyday, it still exerts considerable influence on the American political scene, particularly during the GOP primary process, as some candidates seek to stake out a powerfully Christian position to win over voters.
Thus, it might somewhat help the generally floundering candidate Tim Scott that he was awarded the Distinguished Christian Statesman Award for 2023 by the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship.
Sen. Scott, a 2024 hopeful, received the award during a September 19 ceremony. During his acceptance speech, he said, “We should stop and thank the Lord that we live in an America where any kid from any zip code can rise beyond their circumstances and achieve their version of the American Dream. That’s possible because our founding fathers crafted a country based on a rock, the Lord God.”
Continuing, the Senator added that America has numerous challenges but needs to place its faith in God to make its way out of darkness and into greener pastures, saying, “We have troubles. We have challenges. We have things that make us fearful in this nation, but remember — greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”
Describing the award, the Center says, “The Distinguished Christian Statesman award was created to recognize men and women who endeavor to live out their Christian faith in public life. True Christian statesmanship is revealed in that person whose commitment to Christ and love for country compels him or her to stand for truth and righteousness in government, upholding those principles that exalt rather than debase the nation. Such persons live their lives guided by a Christian world and life view, which acknowledges the sovereignty of God and compels them to make their life count for the kingdom of Christ.”
“Throughout America’s history; God has raised up men and women to serve as Christian Statesmen. Their moral strength and reliance on God’s providential care guided our great nation during its founding era. Their dedicated service has sustained us during crises of civil war, world war, depression, poverty, and racial division. As America moves forward, it is our prayer that God will raise up a new generation of Christian Statesmen and that through them He will continue to secure the blessings of liberty for generations to come,” it continues.
Rob Pacienza, senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and CEO of D. James Kennedy Ministries, described why Scott was honored with the award, saying, “Just looking at his voting record and what he stood for, standing for God’s design for marriage and family, protecting the life of the unborn, and also protecting religious liberty in this nation. We felt like it was an obvious choice.”
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Continuing, he added that Christian Americans should support Tim Scott, saying, “I always say, look at a person’s platform, look at their voting record, look at what they stand for. And I would certainly encourage Christians across the country to support Tim Scott.”
Featured image credit: By The White House from Washington, DC – 21762584_1429098767177852_4896391499848784475_o, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63337669