American Family Association radio host Bryan Fischer believes that “we are in fact choosing a minister when we select a president.”

In a recent column, Fischer uses Romans 13 as his prooftext for this assertion. Paul, writing to the Romans before his visit there, admonishes his readers to “be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God.”

Fischer uses this passage, along with verse 6, to prove that “One who holds public office is serving in a divinely ordained role, just as much as a pastor in the pulpit. The role of a statesman is every bit as sacred as that of a clergyman.”

Indeed, he goes on to use this assertion as a bludgeon against Newt Gingrich—without ever naming him. Following this “logic” that since all politicians are really members of the clergy, Fischer pulls out the requirements for a pastor in 1 Timothy to bolster his slam on Gingrich.