Christian leaders widely praised Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race and offered mixed views on his future in the presidential race. Biden said Sunday that “it is in the best interest of our party and our country that I step aside and focus on fulfilling the duties of my presidency for the remainder of my term.” Biden’s withdrawal comes more than three weeks after a dismal debate performance raised concerns about his cognitive abilities.
Here’s what five Christian leaders said in response to Biden’s withdrawal.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler
“This is one of those great reset moments in American history,” Mohler told World Opinion. column“I remember watching President Lyndon Johnson on television addressing the nation about Vietnam and then, to my surprise, announcing that he would not seek or accept the 1968 Democratic nomination. As we watched together in our living room, my father looked me in the eye and said I would never forget what I saw happen. And he was right.
“… Understand clearly that the Democratic Party is going to have a generational shift and a big swing to the left. With Biden out of office, the Democratic Party will be full steam ahead. And Biden is responsible for making it all happen. The Democratic left gave Biden one last role to play, and he did. They finally decided he’d played that role for too long, and that was it. Be prepared for what’s coming.”
“The left wing of the Democratic Party had one last role for Biden to play, and he played it. They finally decided he’d played that role for too long and that’s it. Get ready for what’s coming.”
From my article translator Today’s theme is “Exit, Stage Left.”https://t.co/z3CECw7AKJ
—Albert Mohler (@albertmohler) July 22, 2024
Justin Givoney, AND Campaign
“Christian leaders need to be careful in this very polarized election,” Gibboney said. I have written On Monday, the day after Biden withdrew, he took to social media to say: “They can’t be so fixated on one candidate that they can’t be honest about that candidate’s flaws. They can’t be so obsessed with the election that they spend their time fear-mongering rather than inspiring people. The choice is very clear to many, and that’s fine. But as Christian leaders, we can’t just be sycophants and shouting partisans. The people need the truth. The people need hope to hang on to, even if the candidate loses.”
Christian leaders must be careful in this highly polarized election.
You can’t be so absolutely supportive of a candidate that you refuse to be honest about his or her shortcomings.
They must not become so obsessed with the election that they end up doing more to scare people than to inspire them.
— Justin Giboney (@JustinEGiboney) July 22, 2024
Andrew T. Walker, Research Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center
“I disagree with the notion that this is an act of bravery by President Biden,” Walker said. I have written On social media: “It would have been admirable if he hadn’t been so defiant after the debate or made it clear months ago that he wasn’t running (with the help of a compliant press corps that prevented his falling approval ratings from becoming public). But let’s be clear: Democrats want power, and democracy is an obstacle to that power if it means losing the ability to rule with an iron fist. In short, a handful of ultra-powerful people have taken control of the situation. All current and future officeholders should fear the precedent set by today’s announcement.”
I disagree that this was a courageous move by President Biden. It would have been admirable if he hadn’t been so defiant after the debate, or made it clear several months ago that he wasn’t running (with the help of a compliant press that prevented his withdrawal from becoming even more public). But…
—Andrew T. Walker (@andrewtwalk) July 21, 2024
Brent Leatherwood, chairman of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
“President Biden’s announcement is clearly the right decision,” Leatherwood told the Baptist Press. column“This not only acknowledges what is obvious to us all, but also confirms the sentiments expressed by President Calvin Coolidge when he told reporters that he did not want to serve in the White House again: ‘The presidency imposes great demands on those who hold it and on those closest to them.’ Our nation needs leaders who can carry out the high demands of the presidency.”
“…If delegates to the Democratic National Convention confirm… [Kamala Harris] Her election as a candidate would be a major cause for concern among pro-lifers and those who adhere to the biblical definition of marriage. For example, she endorsed the Reproductive FACT Act, which requires pregnancy centers to provide expectant mothers with information about where to get an abortion (thankfully, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional in the NIFLA case), and refused to defend a California voter-passed amendment to the state constitution that makes only marriage between a man and a woman valid. This is not a record that indicates a willingness to engage with mainstream conservative Americans.”
It should not be surprising that this day has come. Yet this is a historic moment. And President Biden’s decision is the right one for our country. https://t.co/rJDcI23kQ1
— Brent Leatherwood (@LeatherwoodERLC) July 21, 2024
Lila Rose, Founder and President of Live Action
“As California’s attorney general, Kamala Harris persecuted pregnancy support centers and pro-life journalists David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt,” Rhodes said. “As vice president, she continues the war on pro-life Americans and the unborn. A Harris presidency would be disastrous for human rights.”
As Attorney General of California, Kamala Harris persecuted pregnancy support centers and pro-life journalists David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt.
As Vice President, she continues the fight against pro-life Americans and the unborn.
A Harris presidency would be disastrous for human rights.
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) July 21, 2024
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/josearba
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
