Author Says Ronald Reagan's Deep Faith, While Private, Pervaded His Presidency
by Allie Martin
March 12, 2004
(AgapePress) - An author and political science professor at a Christian college says the 40th president of the United States had a deep, private faith that at times expressed itself in the public arena.In his book God and Ronald Reagan: A Spiritual Life, Paul Kengor writes that Reagan's faith in God shaped nearly every aspect of his presidency. Kengor writes that while Reagan at times faced criticism from conservative Christians for keeping his faith private, there were times when the "Great Storyteller" proclaimed his beliefs. The author recalls when one such time occurred during a Moscow summit in 1988.
"He gives the evening toast to [Soviet President Mikhail] Gorbachev at the Moscow Summit, and he launches into a long talk about Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane, using [it] as a parable to put away swords," Kengor says.
"[Reagan] made these kinds of statements all the time, [but] most of the time ... there was simply no media coverage of it when it took place. I don't know if the reporters didn't care about it [or] didn't think people would be interested in it."
While writing the book, Kengor was given access to the former president's speeches and letters to gather examples of his faith. According to the author, Reagan believed the nation was on a divine mission and that God would allow the U.S. to triumph over the old Soviet Union. He explains that as far back as the 1950s, the former chief executive felt there are two views of the world locked in dispute.
"One view believes that God created all human beings to be free and equal. Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln spoke for that," Kengor says, paraphrasing Reagan. "The other believes that religion is the opiate of the masses and human beings ought to be slaves to the state. [Karl] Marx and [Vladimir] Lenin spoke for that view. This great Cold War contest was between these two ideologies: one religiously based, the other atheistically based."
Kengor is an associate political science professor at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Of the book, Michael Reagan -- the 40th president's son -- says "Finally, a book that not only focuses on my dad's faith but gets it right." And former Reagan speechwriter calls it "a profound character study": and "a heartbreakingly beautiful love story about one man and his Maker."
