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Christianity Today, April (Web-only), 2009 |

Obama Uses Sermon on the Mount to Elevate Speeches

The president has used the mountainside sermon several times in recent years to explain policy.

Daniel Burke, Religion News Service | posted 4/24/2009 11:05AM

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But even if conservatives disagree with Obama's scriptural interpretations, they should be glad their president is reading—and talking about—the Bible, said Russell D. Moore, dean of the school of theology of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.

"Over the last 30 years or so many who hold to President Obama's worldview have criticized evangelicals and Roman Catholics for basing public policy positions on faith principles as a supposed violation of separation of church and state," Moore said.

"If President Obama is acknowledging that he has a religiously informed point of view that could be a positive development," Moore said.

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Paul	Posted: May 07, 2009 7:09 AM


The way Obama misrepresents the sermon on the mount shows rather explicitly that he does not read the bible, nor understand its message correctly. Rather he makes some vague references to a bible story to try and convince people he is something that he clearly is not. his policies speak much louder then any half attempt at a bible reference in a speech

Dave Wilson

Posted: May 04, 2009 5:55 AM

If folks like Russell D. Moore, dean of the school of theology of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, think that Obama is reading and talking about the Bible simply because he quotes it in a speech, I'm afraid they're sadly mistaken. Political speech writers, especially those for Obama, are very calculated in the words and phrases they use... and their placement and timing in speeches and policy discussions. Having been in the field of political public relations for years now, I know it's no mistake that Obama referenced the Lord's sermon on the Mount in a dry economic policy speech. The Biblical reference has done two things... 1) it's stretched Jesus' principle of building on the rock (of God as our foundation) to a seemingly logical interpretation to economic policy (which many a pastor has done), and 2) it's swayed many to believe yet again that an insertion of a Bible reference denotes spiritual motive and intent on Obama's part. Sadly, I don't believe it was.

cellus

Posted: May 04, 2009 5:46 AM


Bruce Felder...you said it all, Brother.

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