Cal Thomas has become
the world’s most widely syndicated columnist, appearing in
more than 500 newspapers. As a conservative Christian columnist,
he has little company in a profession dominated by liberal commentators.
Thomas spoke with News Editor John W. Kennedy.
PE: How do you perceive
your work?
THOMAS:
There was a time in my life when I saw the career as an end,
supplying not only my physical needs but also my emotional wants.
In the process of living and becoming a disciple of Jesus, I found
that, like so many other things with God, our ways are not His ways,
and my perception has turned around. Now I see career as the means
and the credibility it gives me to share my faith among my colleagues
in the news industry and also the entertainment industry. It is
providing more contentment than I ever had when I was pursuing the
elusive goals that the world offers.
PE: How can laypeople
be saltlike Christians in the workplace, wherever they are?
THOMAS: God wants us
to be obedient and He will take care of the results. That’s
the great mystery of the movement of the Holy Spirit. I think we
approach the gospel with an agenda. People only get saved through
the work of the Holy Spirit in the individual heart, through the
shed blood and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. There
are lots of people hawking all kinds of religious wares and people
can hear a different gospel on every street corner. What they ought
to see is how it works out in our lives. Do we stay married? Are
we an example to our children? Are we honest in our financial dealings?
Do we humble ourselves?
We need a new definition
of what the mission field is and what full-time Christian service
is. Every believer ought to see him- or herself as in full-time
Christian service. The phrase implies there is an alternative —
part-time, which is clearly unbiblical. The mission field is wherever
God is calling you, in medicine, law, education, the media.
PE: How are you able
to balance being truthful with biblical themes, but still be on
the cutting edge without being judgmental?
THOMAS: It’s
very hard, because I’m called upon to make judgments. I’m
a columnist; I write opinion pieces. That’s what pluralism
and the First Amendment are all about; we each get to have our say.
Scripture says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
But there is a difference in being judgmental and judgment. But
I can comment freely, as a believer and as a commentator and make
judgments without being in violation of scriptural mandates.
PE: Any other advice?
THOMAS: A lot
of believers don’t know Scripture. A lot of Protestant believers,
especially, have allowed certain Christian leaders to tell them
what the Bible says about redeeming America. So when another believer
raises the possibility that this supernationalism may be an incorrect
interpretation, they won’t look it up for themselves. Go read
what God has to say about nations and leaders. You’re allowing
history to be reinterpreted according to a particular leader who
needs you to send him money because you think he’s going to
fix what’s wrong with America. No human, fallen leader is going
to save this country. Only Jesus Christ saves individuals. If America
became a totalitarian state tomorrow it would not change one thing
that I am commanded to do. We’ve equated money and power and
bigness and greatness with the blessing of God.
THOMAS:
There was a time in my life when I saw the career as an end,
supplying not only my physical needs but also my emotional wants.
In the process of living and becoming a disciple of Jesus, I found
that, like so many other things with God, our ways are not His ways,
and my perception has turned around. Now I see career as the means
and the credibility it gives me to share my faith among my colleagues
in the news industry and also the entertainment industry. It is
providing more contentment than I ever had when I was pursuing the
elusive goals that the world offers.