Hello World!!!
What it do? In just over a month, you know what it is…Barack Obama will officially become the 44th president of the United States!!! Yes, it’s another post about Barack Obama. No, I’m not over it…So read on if you’re an Obama fan!!! Here’s the thing…As I mentioned in another post, many Christians are convinced that President-elect Obama is not a Christian although he has publicly professed faith in Jesus Christ many times. It seems these same Christians believe that President Bush, aka Iraqi shoe dodger (crazy huh?), is a devout Christian entrusted with the sacred duty of leading our nation to the Promised Land where all secular music is of the devil and legalized abortion is worse than starting an ill-advised war.
But check it…Was anyone watching President Bush’s interview with ABC Nightline’s Cynthia McFadden on Dec. 8? According to a Baptist Press article, Bush said he believes there are multiple ways to God. He also said that he believes that Christians and Muslims pray to the same God.
“I do believe there is an Almighty that is broad and big enough, loving enough, that can encompass a lot of people. I don’t think God is a narrow concept. I think it’s a broad concept. I just happen to believe the way to God is through Christ, and others have different avenues toward God, and I believe we pray to the same Almighty — I do.”
And Bush may or may not believe that humanity started in the Garden of Eden.
Asked if the Bible is “literally true,” Bush said, “Probably not. No, I’m not a literalist. But I think you can learn a lot from it.”
Now, y’all know if Bush had voiced these same words about eight years ago, many evangelical Christians wouldn’t have voted for him. But here is the response of Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
“I am very grateful that we have a president who is a person of personal and deeply committed faith in Jesus Christ, but statements like these remind us that he is indeed commander-in-chief, not theologian-in-chief,” Land told Baptist Press. “I know the president, and he is a person of strong faith and has sort of a C.S. Lewis Basic Christianity kind of faith that is very deep and profound in his personal life, but he is not a theologian. In this particular instance, he is wrong. The Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is not Allah, and there are not many paths to God.”
Now if Bush can be seen as as “a person of personal and deeply committed faith in Jesus Christ” in spite of his controversial beliefs, can these evangelicals also support Barack Obama, who also is a Christian?
Andre C. Willis, an assistant professor of the philosophy of religion at Yale Divinity School, explored how Obama’s brand of Christianity may influence his leadership in an article on TheRoot.com.
First of all, this is what Obama said about his faith in Jesus Christ to Rick Warren, pastor and author of the best-selling book, ” The Purpose Driven Life,” during the campaign.
“Well, as a starting point, it means I believe in—that Jesus Christ died for my sins, and that I am redeemed through him. That is a source of strength and sustenance on a daily basis. Yes, I know that I don’t walk alone. And I know that if I can get myself out of the way that, you know, I can maybe carry out in some small way what he intends. And it means that those sins that I have, on a fairly regular basis, hopefully will be washed away.”
And for the record, Obama is also an evangelical Christian although some evangelicals may not know this or choose not to believe this truth.
All forms of evangelicalism share core tenets: a belief in the importance of personal conversion through Jesus Christ (salvation); the commitment to biblical activism (authority of the Bible, not reason or experience); and an investment in public morality (public witness). Where they differ is in their emphasis: progressive evangelicals strongly emphasize the suffering of Jesus and his political struggles against the social order, while conservative evangelicals are preoccupied with imposing “biblical” morality.
According to the article, Obama’s style of Christianity will be more progressive rather than conservative. Rather than focus on the rules and regulations brand of Christianity (a Pharisaical type if you ask me), he will focus on empowering the poor and disenfranchised.
So what do you think? Do you believe that Bush and Obama worship the same God? Do you believe that it is possible for both Bush and Obama to be Christians? Do you think the evangelicals that support Bush will also support Obama? What role do you think Obama’s faith will play in his leadership? Do you think that Jesus loves both George W. Bush and Barack H. Obama?
Any thoughts?
What I love about Barack is that he attended church for 20 years BEFORE the campaign. It was a Word-teaching, Bible-believing church. He was married there and his kids were dedicated there. His track record speaks loud and clear.
I would first like to remind everyone that the Jews rejected Jesus Christ. They questioned His methods and even said that He was a devil because He was able to cast them out.
The point I hope you see is that many people rejected our Savior while He was here on earth (and still do today), but those who accepted Him reaped (and still continue to reap) the benefits. Not call Barack Obama our savior, but like Jesus, he is speaking Truth. He is challenging us to “repent” or change the way we think. That is not a popular message and many will reject and talk against him. The question is will you accept him and reap the benefits of doing so.
Now to directly answer the questions – 1) I can’t say what Bush believes. Based on his own words I don’t know if he knows what he believes. I am convinced both by action (thus far) and speech that Barack is a christian. 2) It’s possible for both to be christian. But the real test comes when you ask about their christian walk. 3) Some evangelicals will some won’t. I still believe that race is playing a bigger part in this discussion than christian beliefs. 4) I believe Barack’s entire campaign is based on his faith. He believes that God will use him to effect a change in our country that will spread throughout the world (can you see Jesus in this). Let’s not forget that we are in the last days. God always sends a prophet to prepare His people. This is our opportunity as christians to get involved and make a change from within. 5)Jesus loves everyone both christians and sinners. The question is will you Love Him back.
gwb has pimped his follish flocks of gaybashing preachers and hypochristian sheeple one more time for the road…amen!
peace out!
alicia banks
OUTLOOK
http://aliciabanks.blogspot.com/
Do you believe that Bush and Obama worship the same God?
I believe they worship the same God; they just have a different way of expressing it. For all we know, Obama could feel the same way as Bush. The important thing is to believe, not to judge how we believe.This is the exact reason why we are at war now (trying to force our opinions on other people). Everyone has a different opinion on so many things especially the Lord and they will die for it and to defend it.
Do you believe that it is possible for both Bush and Obama to be Christians?
Yes. Just like it is possible for you to sit next to a bargain basement street walker in the church. Just because he/she is a street walker does that mean they are not Christian? No one is perfect and who are we to decide what a good Christian is.
Do you think the evangelicals that support Bush will also support Obama?
No. Their opinions are based on color and agreement. If you don’t suit me 100% then you don’t suit me at all. This is why they are men and not the Lord
What role do you think Obama’s faith will play in his leadership?
If he is a good man of God it will play a large role in his leadership.
Do you think that Jesus loves both George W. Bush and Barack H. Obama?
Jesus loves everyone. If only man could do the same.
Dear Jackie: Merry Christmas! I was at Mass last night. The church was really lit up with excitement and beauty. Many people dressed in glittery-type clothing. As you know, my beliefs run kind of down the middle. I believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and have a deep respect for others and their belief. The thought ran through my mind, no matter what, the birth of the infant Christ has forever changed humanity. Two- thousand-and-some-odd-years later, families are still gathering together to celebrate hope and peace. How wonderful.
Keep posting about Barack Obama. I don’t know if he and I agree on every “Christian” issue. He may be more conservative than me, who knows? I believe he is the man for our time. As we all struggle to come out of this financial, moral (war) crisis, we must remember to pray for him.
Sorry for the long post. You know I love you. Very Merry Christmas, Candy
Hi Jackie!
I appreciate your commentary!
There are many people who think that everyone who uses the word “God” is speaking about the triune God. They are NOT!
Muslims are not calling on the God that Christians refer to as Elohim.
Mormos are not calling on the same God as Christians. They believe that Satan and Jesus were brothers.
Catholics pray to the dead who walked with Jesus. They believe that Saint Peter should be prayed to under certain situations and Saint John should be prayed to under certain situations, and so on.
Someone show me WHERE Jesus instructed His followers to pray this way? No where in the Bible.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses say they are Christian and they do not believe that Jesus is Lord.
Everyone is not talking about Elohim when they say the word “God”.
Obama was a member of Trinity for 20 years and was unable to explain black liberation theology. That is intersting…