Hugh Hewitt is focusing on Barack Obama’s Christian faith as he described in an answer today:
“So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead — being my brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, treating others as they would treat me,” he continued.
Hugh’s reaction is that being your Brother’s keeper is an Old Testament concept, not something Jesus taught.
Can you think of examples that would support President Obama’s understanding? (one immediately comes to mind)
Or was Hugh just confused by the NY Times?
President Obama has no understanding. Why ponder a hypocrite? He has a half BLOOD brother he won’t “keep”, and an Aunt he fondly talks about in his novel, living in public housing “on the dole”. If a man won’t take care of his own family, what credibility does he have.
“treating others as they would treat me,” is this kinda like “he with the gold rules”?
Talking heads try to convince me he is intelligent, I guess I am just not smart enough to see it.
My reaction was to what Hugh Hewitt said, not so much what President Obama said. “Right wing” talk show hosts are treading on very dangerous territory when questioning the sincerity of other people’s religious beliefs. Savage (who is not Christian and has spouted a lot of anti-Christian things) also was jumping on this notion today. “See – he said he is a Christian by choice!!!”…. [Obama’s dad was a muslim, Mom probably was somewhere between an atheist and a Unitarian – Obama was baptized in his 30s. This is not an Aha! moment unless you haven’t paid attention]
I agree that a “Right wing” talk show host would be on thin ice. BUT if Hugh has proclaimed himself to be a Christian brother, it is not only O.K. but it is his duty as a fellow Christian to correct faulty precepts.
Being baptized, is similar to taking any public oath (with witnesses), so you invite being held accountable. As a Christian we cannot and should not judge others salvation( way above our pay grade) but we are instructed to correct actions and false doctrine of all who claim to be Christ’s, to stand by and help them with their walk with God.
Nowhere in the New Testament will you find Jesus, Paul or any follower condemning the actions of non-believers in God. We all know the decadence of Romans, yet not ONE word condemning the current culture. Romans had not yet taken the oath(baptized). All instructions in the N.T. are ONLY for people who have made the decision and public proclamation(oath of Baptism) to make Jesus the Lord of their life.
Now my snide remark……He was baptized into Black Liberation Theology, hum…….. and after 20 years of what ever he studied he might as well had been baptized into The Chicago Society of Azaleas. It is easy to discern that BLT is politics, not religion.
Jim Jones claimed to be a Christian, the Spanish Inquisition, the Crusades, should not someone have stood up and corrected the bastardization of Christ?
Hugh is not confused. Should someone present himself to me and say, “I wish to alter a character flaw or behavior pattern for the good – how have you done this in your life?” I feel a personal obligation to attempt to communicate and demonstrate how it worked in my life. What is decidedly an anathema to me is the whole concept of ‘Bozo is a social or moral miscreant, as a society we are going to steal the achievement of non-screw-offs and flush it down the Bozo rat hole.” Any assistance will be a waste unless the recipient sees it as temporary somewhat stigmatized measure. The ‘christian’ thing to do (I believe) is no work – no eat – I’ll say a prayer for you. Maybe I’m confused.
See: Luke 10
Do I believe Comrade Obama to be a Christian? Not only NO! but HELL NO! The comrade went on for many years as Barry Soetoro which doesn’t necessarily point to any ethnic or religious background. His name was change for a particular reason. It is evident, based on his associations, that the man supports the Muslim cause. One has to be blind or from another planet not to see which way he leans. His hatred for Israel is also planly unconcealed.
The primary reason for not releasing his transcripts if first his name is listed as Soetoro, and his religion listed as Muslim. His “Christianity” is only a facade to hide the truth.
But… one day the truth will be known. Someone, somewhere will surface and expose him for what hereally is, a liar and an usurper.
Is he a Christian? I hope so. But if he is he was sent down the wrong road by Rev. Wright and his Black Liberation Theology.
But let’s forgive and forget this.
It has been documented that he hasn’t been to church very often during his first 20 months.
But let’s even forgive and forget this, because certain people are put off by “organized” religion yet believe in Jesus Christ.
He cancelled the National Day of Prayer so as not to “offend” anyone, yet was on his knees with the Muslims in prayer on the Muslim Day of Prayer.
So the question becomes – is he trying to fool the Muslims or the Christians?
I just keep remembering the old ditty: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
There is a difference between saying “Barack Obama is not a real Christian” and saying “Christianity doesn’t say treat your neighbors as you would treat yourself – because Barack Obama says it does say that”.
This is precisely the trap of Bush Derangement Syndrome – George Bush says “X” is true, and I hate George Bush, therefore “X” is not true.
Barack Obama and black liberation theology didn’t create the concept of “collective salvation”. May I draw your attention to this 1997 writing by Reverand Sun Myung Moon, the financial backer of the Right Wing Washington Times newspaper?
http://www.tparents.org/moon-talks/sunmyungmoon97/SM970501.htm
(You may also know him as the leader of the Unification church)