One of the Most Controversial Statements by a Presidential Candidate?!?

On this Super Tuesday, let me reference a currently-prominent political figure (not as an endorsement but because of something he said). The Washington Post recently highlighted a 2008 quote by Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum in which he described how every stratum of our society was under Satanic attack.

Mr. Santorum said, “This is not a political war at all. This is not a cultural war. This is a spiritual war. And the Father of Lies has his sights on what you would think the Father of Lies would have his sights on: a good, decent, powerful, influential country—the United States of America.”

Interestingly, Santorum’s theological observations have become some of the most controversial comments that he’s made (and they were made four years ago). To be honest, I take issue with some of what he said in that speech, namely that American Protestantism has fallen under Satan’s influence but not the Catholic Church in America. That statement would be hard to defend. But his assertion that America is under Satanic attack is biblically and observably accurate.

I’m reminded of how great the need is in this nation for true revival and spiritual awakening when people get all bent-out-of-shape over someone suggesting that there are spiritual forces at work in this world that must be resisted. Ignorance or apathy regarding Satan’s activities is one of his greatest assets, and that’s where our nation is today. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22) is an rightly-deserved indictment on the United States of America.

Pray for our nation to return to God. But until that happens, pray that God’s people will remain true and strong in their spiritual journeys. We have a spiritual enemy that “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Don’t let that “someone” be you…