Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 02:1 (Winter 1961)
Article: General Review: Events Viewed in the Light of God’s Word
Author: Herman A. Hoyt

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GJ 2:1 (Wtr 61) p. 3

General Review:
Events Viewed in the Light of God’s Word

Herman A. Hoyt

Dean and Professor of New Testament
Grace Theological Seminary

It Is Later Than You Think

Another national election has passed into history, and in this one, for the first time in the history of the United States, the people have elected a Roman Catholic to the presidency. Except for a small minority, by far the greater number of people will regard this as a mere incidental in the overall picture of the outcome. Within the minority, for various reasons, the election of John F. Kennedy will be regarded as evidence of a definite trend. It is the opinion of this writer that this election is clear evidence of religious trends.

There can be no question whatsoever that this election marks a religious trend in the United States from the day of the Revolution. From the very origin of this country the people of this land have been sufficiently swayed by religious convictions never to elect a Roman Catholic to its highest office. This has not been accidental. Protestant convictions have been sufficiently strong to guard against this. But at last the tide has turned. The trend has changed, and it is apparent that the original religious convictions of our forefathers have been supplanted by other considerations.

A trend is in evidence even since 1928 when a Roman Catholic candidate was up for election. His nomination for the presidency by the Democratic party indicated a trend from the early days of this country. But the virile character of Protestantism was also evident in that election campaign. Protestantism throughout the land let its voice be heard in opposition to this candidate. Without a doubt the religious vote in the ensuing election was a deciding factor in the outcome. In the passing of 32 years that factor has changed. It is no longer the deciding element that it once was. Now other considerations weigh more heavily in the minds of the American public.

This narrows the facts to one conclusion, namely, that Protestantism has lost its once clear stand in this country. It is no longer protesting against the evils of an apostate religious organization. In the days of the Reformation Spirit-led men suffered every conceivable deprivation and torture to give to the people the truth of the Bible for the salvation of their souls. This could be accomplished only by freeing them from the yoke of Roman Catholicism. It was the vigorous protest of the forefathers which gave to us this land of freedom and faith. For in no land where Roman Catholicism rules today do the people enjoy the blessings we possess. But that vigorous protest is gone, as is evidenced by the fact that a Roman Catholic has been elevated to the highest office in the land.

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