Cal Thomas

Cal Thomas

Syndicated political columnist

Syndicated political columnist and “On Faith” panelist Cal Thomas has a twice-weekly column that appears in over 500 newspapers around the world. A graduate of American University, Thomas is a veteran of broadcast and print journalism. He has worked for NBC, CNBC, PBS television, and the Fox News Channel where he currently appears on the weekly media critique show, “Fox News Watch.” Thomas has authored ten books, including Blinded by Might: Can the Religious Right Save America?, A Freedom Dream, Public Persons and Private Lives, Book Burning, Liberals for Lunch, Occupied Territory, The Death of Ethics in America, Uncommon Sense and Things That Matter Most. His latest was The Wit and Wisdom of Cal Thomas. In 1995, Thomas was honored with a Cable Ace Award nomination for Best Interview Program. Other awards include a George Foster Peabody team reporting award, and awards from both the Associated Press and United Press International. Common Ground, which Thomas writes for USA Today, offers insightful discussion of contentious social issues with his friend and political counterpart, Bob Beckel. The two are working together on a book to be published in 2007. Close.

Cal Thomas

Syndicated political columnist

Syndicated political columnist and “On Faith” panelist Cal Thomas has a twice-weekly column that appears in over 500 newspapers around the world. A graduate of American University, Thomas is a veteran of broadcast and print journalism. more »

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Followers of Jesus, not Labels

I don't like labels because it allows others to define me based on their understanding (or misunderstanding) of the label. The early followers of Jesus were called "Christians" by those who were not. The unbelievers needed a label. There is nothing wrong with that word, but it means different things to different people. I prefer "follower of Jesus." Most people ask "what does that mean?" The question allows for an answer, but words like "evangelical," "fundamentalist" even "born again" (which is biblical but, again, misused and misunderstood) rarely produce questions.

I wasn't aware of a demand for an "evangelical manifesto." Everything a follower of Jesus needs is in God's Word. It seems to me to be another attempt to "fit-in" with the world at some level. Instead, "evangelicals" ought to be fitting-in with God and His agenda, which is redemption, not reforming a fallen planet.

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