When looking to scripture to support public religious pronouncements, Republicans turn toward the stern God of the Old Testament. Democrats find the forgiving Jesus of the New Testament more appealing. One side warns of judgment, the other proclaims mercy. Accordingly, God either wants Bill Clinton condemned or welcomed home like the Prodigal Son. This is, however, problematic.
Public theology is about as textured as a piece of typing paper.
Bible-spouting aside, most congressional representatives proved themselves lousy theologians in this argument. Other Christians rejected this view, insisting instead on a fundamental unity between the two testaments. The God of the Old Testament and the God of the New are, in spite of the theological disagreements between Jews and Christians, the same God. Although this position became orthodoxy, Christian tradition continued to struggle with the tension between God's justice and love. For most of its history, the church has tended to emphasize God's justice over God's mercy.