Ronald Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan, GCB, (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989) and the 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975). Reagan was also a broadcaster, film actor, and head of the Screen Actors Guild before entering politics.

Religious beliefs

Reagan was a committed Christian from his childhood, and frequently addressed Christian groups. (He rarely attended church during his presidency, citing security concerns, but became a member and regular attendant of Bel Air Presbyterian Church after leaving office.) He argued that communism's atheistic worldview was one of its worst features.

Related Topics:
Christian - Communism - Atheistic worldview

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In a March 1978 letter to a liberal Methodist minister who was skeptical about Christ's divinity—and accused Reagan of a "limited Sunday school level theology"—Reagan argued strongly for Christ's divinity:

Related Topics:
1978 - Liberal - Methodist - Christ's divinity

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:Perhaps it is true that Jesus never used the word "Messiah" with regard to himself (although I'm not sure that he didn't) but in John 1, 10 and 14 he identifies himself pretty definitely and more than once. Is there really any ambiguity in his words: "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me?"? In John 10 he says, "I am in the Father and the Father in me." And he makes reference to being with God, "before the world was," and sitting on the "right hand of God."?

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:These and other statements he made about himself, foreclose in my opinion, any question as to his divinity. It doesn't seem to me that he gave us any choice; either he was what he said he was or he was the world's greatest liar."

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:It is impossible for me to believe a liar or charlatan could have had the effect on mankind that he has had for 2000 years. We could ask, would even the greatest of liars carry his lie through the crucifixion, when a simple confession would have saved him? ? Did he allow us the choice you say that you and others have made, to believe in his teachings but reject his statements about his own identity?"

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This was similar to the "Trilemma" argument of C.S. Lewis.

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Even though Reagan was firmly Christian, his funeral was an interfaith service.

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Reagan was a Creationist and favored teaching Creationism in public schools.

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