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Christianity Today, October, 2008 |

A Pilgrim's Progress

A seasoned biographer examines Barack Obama's spiritual journey and priorities.

Gary Scott Smith | posted 10/09/2008 06:28AM

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Many of us, however, share Mansfield's hope that the issues raised in the campaign by faith forums and Wright's charges will prompt continued assessment of how our nation can best advance the biblical values of righteousness and compassion.

Gary Scott Smith, chair of the history department at Grove City College and the author of Faith and the Presidency: From George Washington to George W. Bush (Oxford University Press, 2006)

Related Elsewhere:

The Faith of Barack Obama is available at ChristianBook.com and other book retailers. Newsweek has an interview with Stephen Mansfield.

Christianity Today has other book reviews on a section of our website, as well as more coverage of the 2008 presidential campaign.

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October 2008, Vol. 52, No. 10

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susan

Posted: October 17, 2008 4:00 PM

Christians at any point in their Christian journey really need to get into God's word and get a grasp of the incredible story God has given us in the OT and the NT. It still seems to me that people who think that they are do gooders; "helping others, loving their neighbor, problem-solvers, and claim to have all this "compassion" for others, are still missing DOING GOD'S WILL. We are told to have the "mind of Christ" in God's word. We are told many things and by listening to the Holy Spirit (that dwells within a believer) and having the knowledge of what God HAS already told us in His Word, and through the WORD, and desiring to bring honor and glory to HIM, we will do HIS will. Alas, to many, that means becoming popular, powerful, and people pleasing. JESUS was NOT a people pleaser. I am really weary of the world's philosophy recited by intelligent elitists when they have not got a clue of plain spiritual understanding of God's Word. Stop PRACTICING SIN. Where is TRUTH?

x	Posted: October 16, 2008 3:24 PM


But, its not about his faith and what we accept from him is about our beloved nation and what we want for it.

alanps

Posted: October 12, 2008 9:21 AM

This is an interesting piece and I think I may actually buy this book. In this election we have 4 candidates - McCain, Palin, Obama and Biden. I know nothing of Bidens positions but what I do know is that Obama is a Christian (no logical reason to doubt that) but he is not evangelical and maybe (like many of us) has doubts. I know that McCain has shown nothing but distain for Christianity (particularly Evangelicals who he has lashed out at in the past) and that Palin may profess to be a Christian and probably is, she is currently sowing some very un Christian messages. I think in this election we need to be honest - no candidate will save us - and no candidate is particularly appealing. We are in a position of chosing the best of a bad lot. For me that will likely be Obama - but it is not a choice I am all that comfortable about.

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