February (Web-only) 2005

ARTICLE TOOLS

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How does your Christian college education [Biola, '83] impact your work today?

I think it builds a good solid foundation, not only in my field of study which was business administration, but also the Bible courses that you take. The solid instruction and having a worldview that helps you see things in context give me a grounding and a foundation on which to make decisions. And frankly it helps shape the decisions that I make in my life, whether that's in my professional life or my personal life. But having gone to Biola was a great foundation.

How does being a Christian make a difference in how you do your job?

Having a Christian worldview shapes my decision-making with respect to all aspects of my life. I always respect people in public life who are principled, and those principles have to be connected to something. And my faith is what serves as the anchor and directs my actions.

Who are some of the influential thinkers, writers, and other people who have helped shape that Christian worldview?

I was a staffer on Capitol Hill back 20 years ago now. And there were some people who were instrumental in helping me, who inspired me in public service—people who were good, strong Christian examples. Bill Armstrong had a great Christian witness. He was a senator from Colorado.

I'm a big, big reader of pretty much everything that Chuck Colson has written. And I consulted with him when I was making some decisions about running for the Senate in the first place. Chuck Swindoll is somebody who I've read a lot over the years and have used his curriculum when I've taught Sunday school classes. I guess if you go back a ways, C. S. Lewis as well. Those are just a few off the top of my head.

Do you find fellowship with other legislators?

I ...