This has been written about by many, and I thought it worth posting here for the few that might not have seen it yet. Cathleen Falsani republished the full transcript of an interview with Barack Obama about his faith. It is relevant on the topic of President Obama’s Christianity. It’s from 2004 when he was a state senator in Illinois a couple days after he clinched the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat that he eventually won. The interview focuses entirely on Obama’s faith, and it opens a wide window on the version of Christianity that he professes. I found my link to this HERE…
In short, though Obama professes to be a Christian, his beliefs are that of a theological liberal. Here’s a summary with some quotes:
- He believes that “there are many paths to the same place,” and he doesn’t believe that God would “consign four-fifths of the world to hell” for not believing the gospel.
- When asked about his belief in the afterlife, he says he doesn’t know if there is one.
- Obama defines “sin” as “being out of alignment with my values.”
- Obama says that one need not embrace “Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and savior” to avoid judgment.
- When asked “Who’s Jesus to you,” what Obama didn’t say is as important as what he did say. He confesses Jesus to be a “historical figure” and “wonderful teacher” but says nothing about Jesus being a Savior, Messiah, or Son of God.
- He confesses that he doesn’t necessarily subscribe to his own church’s “set of doctrines.”
Obama isn’t a Muslim… he is more a liberal Christian who denies essential doctrines of the Christian faith and embraces other ideas that are incompatible with the Christianity of the Bible.
I have a difficult time believing that he is a Christian. Christ claimed to be the only way to heaven and that is an essential doctrine.
The reason that he is the only way:
1. He is the only qualified sacrifice for our sins, there isn’t another sacrificial lamb that will get the job done.
2. Every other possible method of getting to heaven is based on my performance down here on earth. The Bible tells us that none of us have ever been good enough to make it to heaven on our own.
This is America. I didn’t vote for him to be about Christianity, or any other relegion. I voted for him to be a good president. And he is, by any fair standard of judgement. When I want Christianity, I’ll go directly to God, as I see Him to be. When I want to do it with my fellow Christians, I’ll go to church. When I want somebody to govern, I’ll vote for the smartest guy in the room. The most honest. The one who works for all people, not just all Christians. The guy that is doing his best to navigate – using facts and evidence, not relegious belief – the many seperate views that come from all Americans. I don’t care if he’s a Christian or not, when it comes to governing. I care if he’s a good man. R. Reagan was not a Christian, but he was most certainly a good man, no matter what you think of his politics. As a Christian, I hope the President is, too; but I don’t think he has to be what I think a Christian is; or what a Babtist thinks a Christian is, or what a Catholic or Episcapalian thinks one is. He only needs to be what he and Our Lord think is a Christian. God bless America and all people here, no matter how they worship.
Once again, Pastor Ron; another thought provoking piece. I believe that if a person professes to be a Christian, then I must take that profession on faith, because I don’t have the ability, nor do I want the responsibility of looking into; or after, another person’s soul. That is for Our Lord. It’s interesting that this issue is about Obama; when I see examples of the kinds of “Christians” that you’re speaking of, all around me on a daily basis. “Christians” who profess that which is different from what their actions or their words sometimes prove. Sadly; all too often, I am one of them. The good news is; I’m trying to be a better Christian than I was yesterday, and if The Lord grants me a tomorrow, hopefully I’ll be better than I am today. I think this is part of God’s Grace that He has blessed me with, and I sure am grateful for it……It’s my prayer that everyone; yes, even President Obama, is bestowed the same Grace that is bestowed on me, and we can all be a litttle more Christ-like, day by day. The world sure would be a better place…….Thanks, again, Pastor Ron!
I beg to differ…Ronald Reagan was a Christian. From the history of leadership in our bible, the people perished everytime Godly principles were not followed. But as the good word instructs we should pray for our president.
Reagan was a Christian like many of us are Christians. He believed in communing with others about the unknowable in whatever language they preferred. He certainly was no regular churchgoer.
Wow, interesting reading! I usually don’t comment, but this discussion is interesting to me. As a christian, should I expect my governement and my culture to even know what christian values are? The truth of God’s Word has been distorted so frequently and so many want their “ears tickled” (2 Tim 4:3) that most of our country has no idea what they should value. A second point is that Jesus repeatedly moved away from politics and culture. He preached against sin and the religious establishment. Or more directly the religious establishment that had perverted his word into something it was not intended to be. #3 Judging others is exactly what voting is all about. The contest of Matt 7:1 is that I am instructed to use discernment and righteous judgement when I evaluate the people running for public office.
Everyone has their beliefs and I in no way want to condemn anyone, it is not my place, but the truth is a Christian believes in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. I don’t care if you are the President or not. My comment was directed at Christianity not being the President. We as humans are so judgmental, little things control what we think of others, but God is the final judge and He alone knows our heart. Christianity is about forgiveness and none of us are blameless, not one! I also will not vote for someone I believe doesn’t have my best interest at heart and I have that right just as everyone else does. I don’t believe in condemning someone because they think differently than I do. I am not perfect and neither is anyone else on this planet, and I believe that is the point of Christianity.
I am taken back by the different opinions. Here is mine: I believe that being a Christian means simply that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and He died on the cross for your sins. How you live your life will reflect what is in your heart. There is no such thing as a part-time Christian. You either are or are not. You can NOT pick and choose what parts of the bible to believe. It’s all or none. Obama’s answers are disturbing to me. He contradicts himself.
Lee, I agree to your views as a Christian. I personally have no idea what Obama believes as far as his spirituality…..he confuses me. But that is something he will have to answer to, not me. I only know as far as what I see and what I know about him, I choose not to vote for him.
I personally have done a lot research on the Present President and feel beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he is Muslim. You saw that doesn’t matter what religion, but perhaps you weren’t aware that Muslims are taught to hate and destory Americans. I believe it is taught in their bible, the koran, But if you want to know how he governs, read Carl Marx “The Communist Manifesti:”. That will oipen your eyes or at least it should.