Tidings
Bush's 'Theological Perspective'
Why is President George W. Bush still so upbeat about the war in Iraq? In his own words, it's his theology.
In a July 13 meeting with nine conservative journalists, the President described his belief in the "universality of freedom: I strongly believe that Muslims desire to be free just like Methodists desire to be free." The White House did not release a transcript of the meeting, but National Review's Rich Lowry quoted the President at length on "whether or not it is a hopeless venture to encourage the spread of liberty":
People have said, you know, this is Wilsonian, it's hopelessly idealistic. One, it is idealistic, to this extent: It's idealistic to believe people long to be free. And nothing will change my belief. I come at it many different ways. Really not primarily from a political-science perspective; frankly, it's more of a theological perspective. I do believe there is an Almighty, and I believe a gift of that Almighty to all is freedom. And I will tell you that is a principle that no one can convince me … doesn't exist.
As an example, Bush noted that Japan, once America's enemy, is now
an ally in peace who actually committed defensive troops into Iraq. It's a remarkable development in a part of the world that was a very troubled and dangerous part of the world for U.S. interests. And I ascribe a lot of that to … U.S. presence, allowing for the inevitable to happen. And the inevitable is forms of government that are based upon liberty. Now, they don't always look like the United States, nor do they advance at the pace that some of [us] would want. … And of course, this situation in the Middle East will look differently, it will evolve differently, but we've got all the same odds of achieving the same ...
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Ted Olsen
Ted Olsen is Christianity Today's managing editor for news and online journalism. He wrote the magazine's Weblog—a collection of news and opinion articles from mainstream news sources around the world—from 1999 to 2006. In 2004, the magazine launched Weblog in Print, which looks for unexpected connections and trends in articles appearing in the mainstream press. The column was later renamed "Tidings" and ran until 2007.
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David Cockburn
Where is the Jesus who was prepared to suffer and die for his beliefs - but not to kill - in this? In shock and awe? Love God, neighbours, and ENEMIES. The whole of Jesus life, death and resurrection was the demonstration of God loving his enemies enough to do what it took to transform enemies firstly into friends, then into family. So do GWB's actions reflect the faith and actions of Jesus? it seems to me that the evidence indicates they do not.
Ohlman
Thank you for your comments. They reflect ground than that of the other commentators. It's about time that people stop demonizing our President. Marv Beukelman
Daniel
It is one thing to act out his convictions as a professing christian and to totally disregard the entirety of the biblical principles a Christian should and ought to live on - Love God and to love others. To use democracy and freedom as excuses to war, and sending thousands of innocent soldiers on his own agenda on the pretext of Christian faith and some random quotes from the bible is simply unacceptable. How can this president use one small part of what's required of us from the Scripture and so conveniently neglected the overwhelming majority of the scriptures for his own agenda? Can he by all godly conscience testify that he did not bear false witness to the WMD as the reason for war, or that this war has nothing to do with any plots to control the oil flowing under Iraq or the billions of commercial opportunities that are opened as the result of this war?
InChrist
I agree with the above poster(http.whatwouldntjesusdo). I have never supported Mr. Bush and have found it hard to believe his Christianity. It is not for me to judge, but with "faith comes works," i.e., love, peace, compassion, etc. "By their works ye shall know them." I gave him a chance, but I gave up shortly after the duct tape and plastic on your house windows advice came out! I hope my brothers and sisters in Christ are "wising up." I pray that they are. Too many Americans do not seek out the truth themselves, but just listen to the local preacher, or the local newspaper (if that), or their neighbors. The best advice I can give to those younger than I (as I am an elderly person) is to consult your Bible, read/listen to various news sources, pray, and then make an opinion. We have done that and have been led away from this administration.
rockonjd
The last paragraph, a quote from President Bush, seems to create more questions that he apparently is trying to address: if one takes the time to really read it. "Government can pass law (yes, that is it's function), and it can hand out money (yes, depends on what laws are passed), but it cannot love (Mr President, when did anyone in 200 years expect our goverment to love?). He continues: "But without love (who said there is none? It was,never should be expected), can it do good? (let's look at history, has the USA government done any good), or can it merely avoid doing evil". (Mr President, given the image the US has on the world stage, we are evil doers with an open wallet). What exactly, President Bush were you, are you trying to say? Do not call those of us who question you, or your personal beliefs, many of us share them to guide our daily lives, but sir, please don't label us as "traitors" when our theology is the same as yours, yet we demand and deserve an answer on the war.