Cal Thomas--25 years, 2,600 columns, 11 books

Here's an excerpt of an interesting Christianity Today interview with columnist Cal Thomas. To see the entire article, click here.

Cal Thomas, 25 Years of Columns Later

After 2,600 columns and 11 books, the syndicated columnist shares his 'wit and wisdom.'

Interview by Sarah Pulliam

Twice a week, he never missed a deadline, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer. "It's like a marriage, or at least a good one." That's how Cal Thomas describes his 25-year stint as a syndicated writer. Today marks the official anniversary since The Washington Times first ran his syndicated column.

Thomas has written over 2,600 columns and 11 books (including The Wit and Wisdom of Cal Thomas) since his first column in The New York Times. He spoke with Christianity Today about Christians in the media, what kept him going as a columnist, and how his political philosophy has emerged.

What have you learned from 25 years of writing your column?

I've learned that there are an awful lot of intolerant people out there who claim to be in favor of pluralism and diversity who demand that I be removed from the newspaper. There are also a lot of people who have been very gracious and have written me saying they never believed they would see ideas they believed in carried in their local rag.

On a personal level, I see this column not as a platform to persuade people to agree with me on political and social issues but as a marvelous opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with my peers in the media. It's given me tremendous entrée into the company and hearts of many, not only in journalism but also in other elements of the media, including the entertainment profession, to share Christ with them.

What are the challenges of sharing the gospel with your peers in the media? How is it different from other professions?

Well, there's a lot of cynicism in the media. I like to say that many journalists behave as if somebody stole their cookies in Sunday school class, and they blame that on God and haven't been back to church since. There's also a heavy strain of anti-faith that runs through much of the profession, and a feeling from journalists that if you demonstrate a healthy interest in the things of God, then you're going to suffer a great deal of ridicule from the reigning secularists in the business, so most people don't even begin the pursuit. Or if they do and they are believers, they pretty much keep it to themselves — not universally, but certainly at the higher levels. There's nobody who's an anchor on the broadcast news programs or even their top reporters who are believers. You just don't get there if you are a believer and are open about your faith.

Is that because Christians have a hard time getting promoted?

Well, you can look at other groups, women, African Americans, who throughout the years you didn't see on television. The bias against people different from the white race or different from men was extreme. There's the same kind of discrimination against Christians. I've been fortunate enough to overcome it because I understood it, and instead of railing against it, I went out and made friends with these people on another level other than faith.

What do you think is the most important column you've ever written?