What would Jesus debate? In a recent interview, author Jacques
Berlinerblau discusses Jesus Christ’s emergence as a political
candidate (as seen on the website jesusin2008.com): “When you ask people,
‘Would you want Jesus to be your president?’ people would almost always
answer yes, but different people have different Jesuses. It’s when
Jesus enters the public sphere that people start to argue.”

I would prefer, if political candidates were going to trot out a
piece of literature to quote during stump speeches, that they reference
Madame Bovary. Unfortunately, citing the Bible is presently in
vogue. In his introduction, Berlinerblau asserts that “the Bible is
back!” Many Christian conservatives are ecstatic now
that—after years of what they might consider the Bible’s
“banishment” by the secular judiciary and the liberal media—the
Good Book is currently given immense political weight. As Berlinerblau
demonstrates in his remarkable study, though, not only do people have
“different Jesuses,” but they also have different Bibles.

The idea of populations disagreeing on biblical interpretation is
nothing new, of course—and Berlinerblau isn’t claiming that it
is. Thumpin’ It (besides boasting an enviable title) is a
thorough examination of how politicians manipulate scripture to support
their assertions. The author limits his scrutiny to recent politicians,
including the last few presidents. Also considered are the 2008
presidential candidates, each of whom—not just Mike Huckabee and
Mitt Romney—have invoked the Bible in their campaigns.

Thumpin’ It is more than just a list of various political
entities alongside block quotes of their speeches. Berlinerblau offers
clever commentary that, though it illustrates his personal political
views, equally skewers candidates on both “sides.” The absurdity of
quoting Bible verses (especially when different scripture can be cited
to substantiate positions on either side of an argument) is evident,
but it is also clear that doing so is almost a necessity for today’s
candidates, Democrats and Republicans alike. Despite his wit,
Berlinerblau’s tone is not snarky, but hopeful—and realistic.
Recognizing that the populace will always have different Jesuses and
different Bibles, he anticipates a time when faith will induce voters
to think more deeply about their political choices.