Fallen and Flawed

President Obama: Wrong on the Role of Religion

**This is a guest post by my buddy and favorite political firebrand, Benjamin Cook.**  

After a campaign speech on the issue of race relations, it became clear that Obama wasn’t one to shy away from potentially explosive topics.

And true to form, the new President dove head first, Thursday morning, into one of the most controversial issues in history: religion.

Obama Wrong on Unity

Despite talking about helping the poor, loving your neighbor as yourself and reaching out to your fellow man (all good things by the way) the President’s speech on faith was wrapped around a common, and in fact dangerous, misconception about Christianity.

President Obama’s central assertion was that “far too often, we have seen religion wielded as a tool to divide us from one another” and that “instead, of driving us apart, our varied beliefs can bring us together.”

In fact, he goes so far as to say that there is “one law that binds all great religions together.”

While the pluralists among us would prefer that this sentiment were true. . .the Bible disagrees.

Obama, the Bible and Division

In Matthew 10:34-36 Jesus says this:

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t think that’s quite the same message as the one of faith-based unity President Obama delivered. In fact, I would argue that like a sword, Christ’s purpose is to divide.

For example, loook at Matthew 25:31-33:

When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of his glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And He shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Furthermore, 1 John 2:15 urges us “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Division Essential for Salvation

You see, it is that very division that allows followers of Jesus Christ to be saved from their sins and have eternal life.

So, while Christians are indeed called to love our neighbor as ourselves, there is still only one way into heaven and that fact will always create division among Christians and the world.

In fact in John 15:19 Jesus tells us “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

No matter how much President Obama wishes otherwise, Christianity and religion will always be used “as a tool to divide us from one another”.

And that’s exactly how God intended it.

Your Turn

Go ahead: Pile on the comments and concerns. We’re interested in whether you agree or disagree. And feel freet to add anything I missed. Looking forward to hearing from you.    

About the Author: Ben Cook has more websites than he can count so it’s probably best if you just follow him on Twitter. If you simply must read more of his work, he can also be found on Flipping Easy  or MLB Rumor Blog.

Tags: Faith, Obama

Why I Support Obama (By a Guy Who Shouldn’t)

Pardon me.

But was I out sick the day Christians were ordered to hide from Obama?

I mean, we’re to despise Obama?  Hex him? Snarl and sneer at him?

But they tell me were not drawing the line there…

Let’s accuse him of being the anti-Christ. A wicked darling of the abortion clinic. A ferocious monster who will drag this country to the pit.

In a word, some evangelicals I know don’t think Obama can can do any good.

What I Want in a President

But whether these things are true or not, is beside the point. These same things were said about Bush 4 and 8 years ago.

Listen: I’m always skeptical of a Christian President. As much as I would be of a Islamic, Jewish or atheistic President.

Indeed, what I want is a leader who will use wisdom. Who will seek wise counsel. Balance the conflict of interest that simmers in our nation.

Obama doesn’t have to be a Christian to do that. He could be Mormon and still qualify as President.

Bullrush. Pervert. Twist. 

Granted, our nation is built on Christian principles. And while I agree that an absolute law of the land must reign (every individual, group or cult shouldn’t be able to do as they please), our nation is also built on religious freedom.

That means Obama is likely to support laws and interest groups that make my skin crawl. 

In fact, he may bullrush the innocent. Pervert justice. Even twist Christianity. But that’s to be expected. Especially in a democratic nation.

Barack Obama Versus God 

Frequently in history God used non-Jewish, non-Christian, non-religious leaders to pave the way for redemptive history.

The same applies to Obama.

Even if he becomes the worst nightmare evangelical Christians have ever seen…he’s not thwarting God’s will. 

He’s fulfilling it. 

My Central Point

Yes, I think Obama is a religious leader. I suspect he believes in the soul and that it lasts forever. And–this is a stretch–he agrees souls either terminate in heaven or hell.

But I’m skeptical of his claim to Christianity. [Just as I was once of mine.]

Regardless, I still have to support him. For no other reason that Christ insisted I obey legitimate authority.

That doesn’t mean I can’t disagree with, debate or flat-out oppose him. Doesn’t mean I can’t fight him. 

I can do all these things. As long as in the end I support Obama. Especially in prayer. 

What I Want from Barack Obama

Here’s what I want from Obama: I want Obama to protect my life. My family’s life. My neighbors’ life. The nation’s life…if for no other reason that I have room to spread the Gospel.

Augustine insisted capital punishment was wrong because it robbed someone of the opportunity to repent. Jim Elliot promoted something similar.

Naturally, I want Obama’s legacy to be one of preseving life so that the eternal soul has an opportunity to repent and trust in Jesus.  

My Legacy of Adoration

Yet, if I don’t get that room…if Obama leaves a legacy of oppression and violence (and I’m not suggesting he will)…so be it.

Persecution grooms the Christian heart to adore Christ even more. 

See, the legacy I want to leave is one of adoring Christ more. And if Barack Obama makes that happen through evil, idolatrous ways, spread out…

I’m adoring Christ.

And supporting the President I didn’t vote for whether my Christian friends like it or not.

What Do You Think? 

So, am I a crackpot? Have I lost my evengelical marbles? Are you a conservative evangelical bewildered by those who despise Obama? Do you even care?

Leave a comment. I’m interested in what you have to say.

Tags: Obama, President