"Is a personal testimony of faith really necessary from the candidates?" We are not inviting personal testimony of faith from all candidates. Our invitation for personal testimony is extended only to the candidates who profess faith in Jesus. As Christians, they have both the privilege and a biblical duty to share their personal testimony of faith: "Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:5). This is all the more important to Christian voters today because there is an unfortunate track record of presidential candidates touting their relationship with Christ to win our support and votes during the primaries, and then veering away from us in the general election. True and exaggerated claims of relationship with Christ should be distinguished. A fair way to accomplish that is to ask the candidates who profess faith in Christ to share their Christian testimonies, which are hard to fake, especially in response to pointed but fair questions - either you have one, or you don't. Christian testimonies are written by sinners and read by other sinners. All Christians are work-in-progress and we recognize that the candidates are running for political office, not the pastorate. All we expect is the honesty and courage, as well as loyalty, to testify about the One who gave His life to save ours, and warned: "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38) Any concern over Christian candidates' testimonies potentially alienating non-Christian voters should recognize that even non-Christians want a leader who is honest. And the one to be concerned about alienating is God, who controls election results: "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." (Romans 13:1)
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