IN THEORY:

Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren asked presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama to participate in a “civil forum” on faith issues at his church last week. What did you think of the forum and how well do you think the candidates addressed the questions?

We have become a word-weary society. We are quick to say actions speak louder than words. We want values and deeds to be the proof the words are true. But deep down we know the children’s rhyme “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me” is a lie. We know words can wound and kill. Words can redeem and inspire.

So I was delighted with Pastor Warren’s approach. We saw both candidates speaking words without attack ads or subtle put-downs. The forum showed the personality differences between the candidates; McCain was folksier, authoritative and direct. Obama was more self-confident, reflective and complex.

But both answered as politicians. Neither gave much insight into their underlying theology. Obama mentioned the role Matthew 25 has on his life. McCain told his faith moment while he was a prisoner of war. Both spoke as if faith was like background music that once upon a time informed their souls, but they were quiet about how it worked for them now. I would have liked more theological words, more words about church, more words about living in the world as a person of faith. I would have liked to hear the theological words that inspired them to a life of political action. I would have liked to have heard less about their values and more about what God taught them to value.

Pastor Mark Wiley

Mesa Verde United Methodist Church

Costa Mesa

Saddleback offered me a ticket to the forum. I was not sure I wouldn’t prefer to save the three hours of security clearance time and just tune in on CNN. But it was nice to see the candidates face to face, hear them answer the questions while I could see their body language and hear the comments while the rest of America was on commercial break. It was refreshing to hear them answer the same questions without interruption and in a civil manner. There were so many more questions that could have been asked, but I am concerned about stem cell research and orphans and integrity, so it was good to hear them respond to issues normal forums seem to skip over for the glamour and controversy other issues create. I went into the forum honestly open to each of the candidates and respected the humanity of the men as they answered. And it was nice to have them clearly and freely able to discuss matters of faith and how their faith influenced their decision making.

I agree with one writer from the Times who called Sen. Obama’s answers “nuanced.” The greatest contrast in my mind was how many “now listen,” “mmm” and other filler comments it took for him to answer compared to Sen. McCain’s often shockingly quick responses.

Ric Olsen

Lead pastor, The Beacon

I am not an evangelical Christian, but I understood the point of view Warren’s questions revealed. Obama gave candid and thoughtful responses that didn’t feel scripted or overly political. Obama’s best answer addressed changing his mind about welfare reform and the “intrinsic dignity of work.” His weakest answer was about marriage. McCain’s answers felt scripted and intentionally polarizing. McCain could have told a few less stories and been more responsive to the questions. I honor McCain as a war hero, but his votes in the Senate concerning help for our veterans are not consistent with his words. More information about voting records relative to both candidates can be found on veteransforcommonsense.org.

Pastor Jim Turrell

Center for Spiritual Discovery, Costa Mesa