New book uncovers Bush's beliefs

For those who might question whether the 43rd president of the United States has genuine faith, a groundbreaking new book will be full of surprises.

The Faith of George W. Bush author Stephen Mansfield and his team of researchers uncovered some fascinating and little-known information about Bush’s conversion, his sense of divine calling and how faith helped him kick his drinking habit.

“People are very interested in the president’s faith, but they also have a lot of questions that need to be answered,” Mansfield, a former senior pastor at the charismatic Belmont Church in Nashville, Tenn., told Charisma magazine in the October issue.

Among the intriguing facts included in the book, which will arrive in bookstores on Nov. 11:

• Bush first heard “the call” to run for president during a sermon by the Rev. Mark Craig at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. Craig was describing Moses’ reluctance to lead God’s people, and Bush’s mother, Barbara, turned to him and said, “He was talking to you.”

• Before Bush announced his candidacy, he invited Texas-based evangelist James Robison to meet with him. Bush told Robison that he had given his life to Christ and that he felt God wanted him to be president.

He also confided in Robison that he felt “something was going to happen” and that the country would need his leadership in a time of crisis. The 9/11 tragedy struck just nine months after Bush’s inauguration.

• Bush is close friends with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, also an acknowledged Christian. The two have shared Scripture and prayed together.

• As a partial fast, Bush refused to eat sweets while American troops were engaged in war in Iraq.

The Faith of George W. Bush is a unique publishing co-venture between Charisma House and Penguin Group (USA) Inc., the world’s largest publishing empire.

The book releases a year before the 2004 elections, and Mansfield believes it could convince some skeptics that Bush should remain in office four more years.

Mansfield says: “Whatever else George W. Bush is remembered for, his attempt to apply faith to presidential leadership will form a major part of his legacy. It is important for people to understand his faith, then, and to do so before the next election.”

He expects interest in the book to be widespread, due primarily to Bush’s strategic importance in world affairs. “He is the most powerful man in the most powerful nation on earth and he says he is guided by his faith. Surely, understanding what that faith means to him will be of interest to many.”

Mansfield adds: “It is also the story of how faith answers the empty heart and provides a sense of purpose. I think many will find this to be an inspiration in their own lives as well.”

— Charisma News Service