A broad array of religious and political leaders across the country issued outpourings of support for former President Jimmy Carter following news of his death, heaping praise on the evangelical Christian Democrat known for teaching Sunday School and being unapologetic about his faith.
Among the first to mourn the passing of Carter, who died on Sunday at age 100, was Sen. Raphael Warnock, a fellow Georgian. Warnock, who also serves as pastor of Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, recalled how Carter and his family visited Ebenezer and dined with Warnock’s family. Warnock said Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, had held his 2-month-old daughter as the group broke bread together.
“Jimmy Carter is a shining example of what it means to make your faith come alive through the noble work of public service,” Warnock said in a statement, later adding, “Well done, good and faithful servant, well done.”
President Joe Biden, a Catholic who is slated to eulogize Carter at his state funeral scheduled for Jan. 9, also lauded Carter in a statement.
“To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning — the good life — study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” the statement read, saying Carter showed that America is a great nation, “because we are a good people — decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”
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House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a statement praising Carter as well, saying, “No one can deny that President Carter led an extraordinary life of service to his country.”
Johnson, a Southern Baptist who often references his own religious views, did not mention Carter’s faith. Carter was also a Southern Baptist until 2000, when he left the denomination after it revised its statement of faith to insist wives submit to their husbands and banned female pastors. Well into his 90s, Carter taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church, which is affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
The Rev. Paul Baxley, executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, lamented Carter’s death in a blog post, urging other members of the denomination to pray for Carter’s family. Baxley said Carter delivered the keynote address at the group’s General Assembly in 1993 and in 2001, after the former president joined their ranks.
“My hope is that our reflection on President Carter’s life will cause us to more deeply embrace the commitments that defined his life, not only his devotion to Christ but also to the pursuit of just peace, genuine racial justice, the faithful stewardship of creation, relentless honesty and integrity and a politics marked more by what is right than what is politically beneficial,” Baxley wrote.
“In all these ways, he lived out the mission of Jesus that he also called all Baptists to embrace, namely that we join Jesus in bringing good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight for the blind and freedom for the oppressed,” he added.
The Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, recalled that when Carter was sworn in as president in 1977, he did so by laying his hand on a Bible opened to Micah 6:8, which reads, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”
“May we follow his example of Christian service, and may his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace,” stated Rowe.
Two Republican public figures known for their Christian faith also honored former President Carter’s legacy.
Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State under President George W. Bush, stated that Carter “lived a long and impactful life entirely dedicated to others.”
She added: “Jimmy Carter represented the heart of this country and left a legacy of wisdom and kindness that lasted many years beyond his presidency. He was a patriot and humanitarian who will long be remembered and admired.”
In a post on X, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence praised how Carter “served America with distinction throughout his life.”
“His work on humanitarian causes at home and abroad impacted the lives of millions and will inspire generations.”
Catholics also expressed support for Carter. Pope Francis celebrated his “firm commitment, motivated by deep Christian faith, to the cause of reconciliation and peace between peoples, the defense of human rights, and the welfare of the poor and those in need.”
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed hope that Carter’s “lifelong work on behalf of peace among nations will continue to serve as an inspiration for a world in need of peacemakers.”
In a statement, the Union for Reform Judaism acknowledged that while members of the group “disagreed with some of President Carter’s later views on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians,” they nonetheless celebrated the Camp David accords he brokered between Israel and Egypt, calling the effort “transformational.”
“Whether wielding a hammer with Habitat for Humanity or wielding his presidential power to appoint more women to high level administration positions than any of his predecessors, Jimmy Carter’s life was one of purpose and consequence,” the statement read.
Josh Shepherd contributed to this report.
Jack Jenkins is an award-winning journalist and national reporter for the Religion News Service.
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38 Responses
I pray he repented before passing away. He was known to HATE Israel.
He had a history of rubber stamping elections won by dictators…even as this truth is hard for people to accept, because they see him through the lens of his work with “Habitat for Humanity,” which was a blessing. It was just disappointing that he was so favorable to these well-known dictators and less-than-honest elections. :-(
Here is one link with stories of Carter undermining democratic elections to support Robert Mugabe and many others, with specific names and dates, even as there are other resources: https://sanbenito.com/the-jimmy-carter-follies/
So, people can research for themselves to see IF he undermined democratic elections to support leaders who were dictators and anti-America. And again, people do not want to see this part of Jimmy Carter’s legacy, even as it has been a strong pattern while he was president and after he left office. But not liking this consistent pattern in his life, doesn’t change the reality of it – and the damage it has done to millions of people in those countries.
Another part of his legacy was apologizing to Iran on national TV after a botched attempt to rescue the hostages in 1980. He attempted to negotiate with Islamic terrorists like Hamas. And as has been mentioned above, he disliked Israel. He did some good things but he was absolutely not consistent in his faith and he was selective about who he tried to help, and who he refused to help.
Challenge:
Say something Trump has done wrong
You can stop at the word limit for this site
Challenge: Make a post that has something to do with the subject.
The subject isn’t Trump. Trump has done plenty of bad things. But he doesn’t claim to be a Pastor. Carter did but proceeded to support abortion, terrorism, political despots, etc. When you can justify that from a Christian standpoint, you can get back to us.
Blasphemy. Being critical of the state of Israel has nothing to do with sin and righteousness.
“When I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations
And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.
Then I will enter into judgment with them there
On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel,
Whom they have scattered among the nations;
And they have divided up My land.” (Joel 3)
Is that the biblical requirement for salvation?
Of just your own bias?
At the very least, you cannot be in support of things like abortion and ethnic hatred and still serve God at the same time. It isn’t possible. You can talk like you do, you can even do a few things to make it look like you are serving God, but your actual fruit will still out as being not sincere.
Eddie –
I find this take so interesting, given I have yet to hear it when it comes to questioning the faith of our nation’s founding fathers who held slaves. Or the political AND evangelical leaders who supported segregation. Or have been caught in adultery.
Can you be in support of slavery, segregation, and commit adultery, yet still serve God at the same time? Or is that when we shift to the softer, “well we all sin….” argument?
Understandably Carter’s legacy will be debated. But maybe, just maybe, he didn’t “hate” anyone or anything, and more to the point, he didn’t “hate” Judaism.
Maybe, just maybe, like others throughout the world he had a broad education and was very much grieved by the two sided violence in the middle east and was deeply troubled by the terrible blight of the men, women and children who reside in Gaza and the Westbank.
Maybe, just maybe, like others he recognised that Jesus – who he is and the divine values he lived out and taught – is now the NEW narrative for anyone who claims to be a Christian and how they must respond to God, humanity and Gods creation.
Maybe, just maybe, like others he recognised that the Kingdom of God when it comes to full fruition as Jesus said it would, will not be draped in stars & stripes, union jack’s, stars of David, pan-arab colors, or anything else of that worldly nature.
Cognitive dissonance isn’t always a bad thing. 🤔
Bingo, Ian Docker. Bingo Bingo
Did DONALD REPENT FOR HELPING KILL COPS ON 1/6/21 and calling the ones who did it Heroes and American Patriots. Lest not forget the 60 of my Borthers and Sisters who were maimed for life. MAGA IS ONE BIG CRIMINAL OPERATION BROTHER LIKE BRIBE TAKING US SUPREME COURT JUSTICES CLARENCE THOMAS ALITO AND GOURSUCH. THROW IN THE ALLEGED RAPIST KAVANAUGH. THEY SHIELDED HIM FROM PROSECUTION. CRIMINALS EVERY ONE THEM. DONALD WILL MAKE UP ANY LOSES FROM THE TAXPAYERS IF HE EVER GOES OUT THE DOOR. GOD HELP OUR COUNTRY SND OUR DEMOCRACY WHICH IS GONE.
Joe,
You sound like a big liberal and probably a communist. Donald Trump is a much better president than we’ve had since President Reagan. Get saved!
Salvation has nothing to do with politics. It is about how you view Jesus Christ, not Donald Trump or Ronald Reagan.
Lord, come quickly.
Wow, Joe, you’re an allowing Trump to take up space in your head without paying rent. Let it go, man. This attitude will make you sick if you don’t stop. Love God. Be kind. Serve others.
Look at the treasures of Mr. Carter’s heart as evidenced by his words and actions, not his “America’s favorite evangelical” image.
Yes, and his consistent teaching of Sunday School (even hosting sessions in the White House), faithful 77-year marriage to Rosalynn, and serving the poor until he was physically unable to do so anymore (building houses via Habitat, etc), say a LOT about the treasures of President Carter’s heart. Or do those not count because it doesn’t condemn him as a Democrat?
Sad.
Marin Heiskell,
There are nice family people in Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, atheism etc. too who do good deeds… are they going to heaven via the one true Gospel?
What exactly do goodness, and salvation, mean to you?
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Jimmy Carter professed faith in Jesus Christ.
Jimmy Carter was very public about his beliefs.
You can find interviews and statements he made, no reason to not believe what he said about his faith.
.
He believed the person and work of Christ revealed in the NT and affirmed in the historic creeds—believed in Jesus’ full deity and humanity, His atoning sacrifice on the cross, and His bodily resurrection from the dead.
He was humble when he spoke about his own sin and trusted in the blood and righteousness of Jesus for eternal life.
What else must one do to be saved? Are there more conditions to the Gospel, such as holding specific political or social positions?
Tricia Russell,
“He believed the person and work of Christ revealed in the NT and affirmed in the historic creeds—believed in Jesus’ full deity and humanity, His atoning sacrifice on the cross, and His bodily resurrection from the dead.”
Jimmy Carter also: (a) ferociously supported abortion and LGBTQ; (b) fought his whole life for the destruction of Israel and empowerment of Islamic extremists all over the world; (c) essentially supported every regime that’s ever existed that’s anti-White and/or anti-capitalism; and (d) attempted to justify all the above with the name of Jesus.
If you can reconcile that with the plain and clear words of the Gospel, more power to you. I can’t.
Brian –
We also have founding fathers who were professing Christians – and slave owners.
We have a history of presidents who wrote about the superiority of white men over all races – interweaving these sentiments with “Godly” language and Biblical references.
We have evangelical leaders who were pro-segregation, using scripture to defend it while labeling integration as “Communist” and “anti-Capitalist”.
Yet it’s interesting how today’s evangelicals say NOTHING about this (they actually don’t want it taught in schools).
But I’ve come to learn that people (and politics) – both past and present – are complex and nuanced. (I won’t even pretend to say I fully know and understand the history and can solve the Israel/Palestine conflict in such a nice, neat way.) But thank God, the gospel is SIMPLE. If these people confessed with their mouths and believed in their hearts that Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior, then it’s end of story. It’s in His hands, not yours – or any political parties (nope, Republicans don’t have a “lock” on salvation either)!
God’s hand is not too short to save, and the blood of Christ is more powerful than any sin of any politician.
I am SO glad that our Lord wipes our slate clean upon our salvation, because whew, people – even fellow Christians – will make sure that our sins are never forgotten, and sing and shout about them even when our loved ones are still eulogizing us, our families are still grieving us, and our bodies aren’t even buried in the ground.
Marin Heiskell and Tricia Russell,
There’s a difference between people who were ignorant, who made professions over matters they did not truly consider and ponder outside the lens of their culture and day–and those who go out of their way to perpetuate error and dress it up in the name of Jesus.
Put more plainly, Jefferson and Madison and whoever did not use the name of Jesus to whitewash terrorists and murderers and help extremist regimes come to power in the name of “liberation theology” (or legitimize the sins of sodomy and abortion). Jimmy Carter did, and is receiving the consequences of such now.
If you can’t see that, then the two of you have an *extremely* different definition of the Gospel, than I do.
Brian:
“There’s a difference between people who were ignorant, who made professions over matters they did not truly consider and ponder outside the lens of their culture and day–and those who go out of their way to perpetuate error and dress it up in the name of Jesus.”
And YOU know the difference? How do you know none of the founding fathers or segregationist evangelicals “considered and pondered outside the lens of their culture and day” as they quoted the BIBLE – the Word of God that cuts across culture and time – to “dress up” slavery and segregation, and “perpetuate the error” that non-white people are inferior? I’m interested in how you see this as some big “accident.”
And Carter did not “legitimize” abortion. He said it is a private matter between a woman and her doctor. He saw it as government overreach. One can be against abortion and believe this (e.g., I would not get an abortion, but don’t think the government should have a say). Carter also did not “legitimize” sodomy. He said it’s our job to love others regardless of sexual orientation, and saw loving a community that was being villainized beyond belief in that era as part of his calling.
I don’t have a different definition of the gospel itself. I have a different understanding of its POWER; you believe politics NULLIFY the gospel. I believe the gospel covers ALL of our sins to bring us into right relationship with God. Which means yes, I believe the same founding fathers and evangelicals who find my freedom and equality “unBiblical” to still be believers covered by the same blood of Jesus as me. His blood is THAT powerful.
I think Tricia covered it well, and I’m interested in your answer to her question.
I also find it interesting you skipped over the first part of my statement: how Jimmy Carter taught Sunday School and even hosted Bible studies in the WH as part of his witness and evangelism.
Do “good” Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and athiest families do that?
Jimmy Carter was a great example of how part of evangelism is acknowledging and meeting physical needs. Reminds me of James 2:15-17 (ACV): “A brother or sister in Christ might need clothes or food. If you say to that person, “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you do not give what that person needs, your words are worth nothing. In the same way, faith by itself—that does nothing—is dead.”
Marin Heiskell,
This is getting silly. Mormons, JWs, Christian Scientists, Jim Jones, David Koresh etc. all call themselves “Christian” and teach or taught Sunday School and Bible evangelism. Some of the above are even truly good people and believe in all they are doing.
Scripture makes clear that not all who come in the name of the Lord were truly of him to begin with.
I agree, Brian. It is silly. What do JWs, Mormons, Christian Scientists have to do with President Carter – a KNOWN Baptist? What do Jim Jones and David Koresh have to do with Jimmy Carter, who was still teaching Sunday school in his Baptist church until he could no longer do so?
Is this all over POLITICS? Denying someone’s salvation over POLITICS?
You seem willing to stretch VERY far – pulling in random faiths and cult leaders – all to back your belief that Jimmy Carter is not “of Him” (which we know is a passive aggressive way of calling him a non-Christian). I get it, I grew up around church folks who did this: be “just vague enough” with their insinuations so they can claim, “but I didn’t SAY that” when confronted, all in an effort to keep their conscious clear of what they’re REALLY doing, which is judging and condemning another person.
The Lord sees straight through it. And that’s NOT silly.
“In 2006, Carter published: ‘Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid’, a bizarre book smearing Israel as uniquely evil and warmongering. It endorsed terrorism against the Jewish state and called Israel the root of all problems in the Middle East. From the inaccurate slur that Israel is practicing Apartheid in its title to the disdain for Israel throughout the book, Carter’s tome cemented his position as a foe of the Jewish state. (Ironically, Carter himself admits in his book that Israel doesn’t practice Apartheid, yet he refused to alter the work’s offensive title.) ” Dr. Yvette Alt Miller, 12/30/24
Also by Dr. Yvette Alt Miller:
“…from September 5-17, 1978, Carter defied many of his closest advisors and invited both Egyptian President Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to the United States to negotiate a peace agreement. Carter, Begin, and Sadat retired to Camp David in Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland. Over the course of 17 days, Carter engaged in intense negotiations, personally contributing to 23 different versions of the resulting treaty.”
“Carter created a special visa allowing Iranian Jews, as well as Christians and Baha’is, to remain in the US and gain political asylum. Approximately 50,000 fleeing Iranians – primarily Jews – were granted American citizenship as a result of Pres. Carter’s scheme.”
“Carter pressured the Soviet Union to allow more “refuseniks” – Jews who wished to leave the USSR – to emigrate. As a result of his pressure, it’s possible that an extra 25,000 Jews were allowed to move to Israel or the US annually.”
“When the famed Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky was arrested in Russia in 1977 on charges of being an American spy, Sharansky’s wife Avital begged Carter to repudiate the charges. Carter agreed, publicly stating that Sharansky was not an American spy, and helping pave the way for his eventual emigration (nearly a decade later) to Israel.”
Thank you, David, for highlighting what was conveniently omitted. I think we all agree President Carter had a complicated political legacy (hence why I said I didn’t agree with all he did).
But his love of the Lord and commitment to fulfilling his calling was very clear until the day he passed. There are other Presidents whose policies I preferred in my lifetime, yet I can admit Carter’s post-WH commitments outshine theirs.
David Craft,
Riddle me this: would Carter have needed to create a “special visa” to help save Persian Jews if he hadn’t empowered the ayatollahs to take over Iran in the first place, and thrown the shah under the bus?
Thank You President Carter for your service to the U.S. nation and to humanity.
I find it interesting that U.S. White Evangelicals have had a problem with Jimmy Carter over the years, but will at the same time openly embrace a thug like Trump.
One of his top missions after his presidency was to eradicate Guinea worm disease . At that time there were 3.5 million cases (1986) last year there were 11!
This is close to my heart because my dad also worked to eliminate worms in the last 20 years of his life. My dad’s organization was The Worm Project that is continuing to treat approximately 10 million children per year. My dad admired Jimmy Carter as a fellow “worm warrior”.
https://wormproject.org/
Tricia Russell,
What elements of the one true Gospel do you believe in, and practice? At what point would you actually support confronting those not in the Book of Life of their need for it?
It’s great that people in and outside of the church are working to eliminate Guinea worm, HIV, poverty, and famine. What I’d like to know is: where you stand on working to eliminate sin and perishing throughout the world–besides stamping the name of “Jesus” onto public health initiatives that anyone would approve of.
The last time I checked, diseases can kill the body, yet they leave the soul unscathed. A lack of the only true Christ leads to hopeless, eternal torment.
I’d sincerely like to know.
There aren’t any elements of the Gospel that I don’t believe!
There is only one gospel, one truth.
I believe God has revealed to us the full scope of His purpose for humanity and creation, and this is MORE than, but not LESS than individual salvation.
The gospel is to be lived out. With Jesus dwelling within us, we are His hands and feet. His ministry included meeting people’s physical as well as spiritual needs, sharing the Good News of salvation while we serve others, and work for justice (that is not a bad word it is based on the very character of God!) and reconciliation in the world.
I saved this quote from listening to Hank Hanegraff years ago – “There are five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the Christian, but most people never read the first four.” think about it – people are reading your life. What message are Christians broadcasting to the world? Are they hearing that the Good News is that God is against abortion, homosexuality and illegal immigration, or do we do what Jesus said to do in Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good DEEDS and glorify your Father in heaven!”.
Shining our light brings people to the light of the world. It is sometimes through traditional evangelizing, but through the gospel being lived out.
The whole Gospel address BOTH our physical AND spiritual needs. This is why it is such good news! The love of God shining through us is the EVIDENCE that he loves the world. We love because He first loved us. And that love without action is nothing.
I hope you really consider these things.
Be weary of whom the main stream media praises.
Brian – I encourage you to read James 2:15-17.
Yes it is good for people both inside and outside of the church to meet physical needs – like eliminating poverty, sicknesses, and the like; yet those in the church are to ALSO meet spiritual needs. We use these moments of helping the sick and poor to share the gospel, and let them know we care not only about their physical bodies but their souls.
It’s sad to see you read of a believer like Jimmy Carter – who was KNOWN for his faith (probably more than many of us are) – meeting a physical need as if he chose to do that in an “either/or” way (either meet a physical need OR a spiritual need). He was clearly a “yes/and” Christian who met physical AND spiritual needs through his calling.
It says a lot when even non-believers are recognizing Jimmy Carter for his faith. Perhaps if we all aspired to that, we’d be winning more souls.