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.
renee
Posted: October 12, 2008 6:12 AM
'Rick,those of you who speak of Obama's Christianity either don't remember Jesus' words well or don't truly know Him. And so how much love & grace does Obama's voting record on already born babies offer? Do you know how many times he voted to kill those who survive a botched abortion? How much of his lovew flows to the hundreds of children already out of the womb every year whom he wants to let die on a shelf. You see as Jesus said "whatever we do to the least of these " we do onto Him. An inteligent person that includes his brain in his faith would never want to offend The Christ he claims. And what couuld be more offensove than to koll the children Jesus was talking about.
Chris
Posted: October 12, 2008 1:22 AM
Christians are so hypocritical. Throughout the whole campaign Barack Obama has shown more of a Christlike personality than John McCain. I really believe God is going to use him mightily. As the scripture says God will use the foolish things to confound the wise...Not foolish people-Sarah Palin. I am an Independent who is a Christian and I will vote for Barack Obama.
lester finkbeiner
Posted: October 11, 2008 10:55 AM
Wouldn't it be more honest, accurate to say, "O. says he is a Christian"?
We struggle to learn 1, inductive method (scientific method, working with the observable data), and deductive method (logic, and systematic theology is deductive).
But then in prestigious CT we read of pilgrim O. Pilgrim? Pilgrim is someone ON THE WAY to a specific destination. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, but the big O votes consistently against life when he votes against helping baby survivors of abortion to live, when he votes for abortion (= murder), when he supports gay rights (gayness rights, also contrary to life), etc.
Please do not tell us any more of O's great intellect, when he cannot follow simple syllogisms, of his Christian pilgrimage, when he continues to vote for the death of the innocent.
By their fruits ye shall know them, Matt.7:15-23
Heather
Posted: October 11, 2008 9:04 AM
Rick, I couldn't agree more. What some people here don't seem to understand is that it is God that saves us...not we who save ourselves. It's an act of Grace. There are many things that I still find to be a mystery in this journey of faith (that's why it's a journey and not a destination) and I find it very arrogant of some commentators here that they seem to think they have all the answers. No, like St. Paul we see through a glass darkly, knowing only in part what this great mystery of love is. That's why I accept that Sarah Palin, George W. Bush and John McCain are all part of this body of Christ even if I don't agree with their actions or politics. I extend that same grace to Barack Obama not because I agree with his politics but because he confesses the same faith that all Christians do. We are, in the end, one body although made up of very different parts.
paulus
Posted: October 11, 2008 8:43 AM
The title of the book, A Pilgrim's Progress ,is badly chosen.
John Bunyan, a true servant of the true God, wrote'The Pilgrim's Progress' . Obama doesn't follow in his footsteps, nor in the footsteps of Christ. There is only one way to heaven,one way that leads to Life, and Obama isn't on it.
Whoever wants to be a friend of the world, makes himself to an enemy of God,it is written.
Obama wants to please the world , any which way he can, he 's wandering in a town called Vanity Fair,dwelling with wrong friends,like mr.Money-Love and Flatterer.
Gary
Posted: October 10, 2008 4:58 PM
I think it is absurd that we hold public offices to a different standard than we hold ourselves. No one who voted on this poll would want their faith judge by others. Faith is an issue between the believer and God. None of us would want a third party such as a media source render any kind of comment on the depth and quality of our faith. It again shows how hypocritcal we Christians can become.
sparksfire
Posted: October 10, 2008 11:25 AM
READ THE BIBLE. The Bible says first "preach the gospel". Jesus was a capitist. In Matthew, Jesus told a story about a farmer who needed help. He made agreement with different ones during the day for a price. The workers agree to that price. The last recieve the same admount as the first. Jesus didn't condem the farmer in his wages he gave. The Bible says that who don't work, don't eat. The Bible says who steal, steal no more and return plus what he has stolen. Jesus never told the government to give to the poor. Is Obama a Christian? He is a church goer. We have millions pf people that goes to church but it does not make them a Christian. A true Christian accept Jesus as Lord also. A true christian know that abortions is wrong. Atrue christian knows that homosexual is wrong.
John Dara
Posted: October 10, 2008 11:02 AM
I,m a Nigerian evangelical Christian politician. I think Obama is only a nominal Christian. But we must be careful not misuse the ''Christian vote'' through naivity or ignorance. Neither Obama nor McCain represent my idea of a model Christian political leader. I have been very effective in mobilising Nigerian Christians to participate in politics and we got many elected or appointed into public offices. Unfortunately only few have been different or outstanding. The next American president should be chosen on the basis of competence, capability, compassion and charisma[to inspire global confidence]. Even a Cyrus[Isa.44:28] can be used of God to fulfil His divine historic agenda. johndara55@hotmail.com
Esther
Posted: October 10, 2008 8:14 AM
Poverty in the US? The world's most obese population? HA! What is meant is that so many want something for nothing, and the TANSTAFL principle is forgotten--"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch!" Somebody is paying, and that somebody is we who budget, know what we can and cannot have, i.e., afford, and stay away from expensive "pleasure" activities, none of which are good or necessary for us to have, but which are highly touted by the media (those movies, concerts, alcohol, cigarettes, even "designer" fashions, and the (non-)"essential" beauty aids, the nail and hair salons, etc.)
I think many of us in America, and maybe in other have lost our common sense .
When I hear the word poverty in the US, it makes me want to transport the person who uses it to one of the really poor countries and have them live there for a month. Of course there are a few really poor around, but a lot of that "poverty" we can blame on ourselves and how we use our money.
Anonymous
Posted: October 10, 2008 8:09 AM
If there are many paths to God and salvation as Obama believes, then Jesus died in vain. The Bible plainly says that Jesus is the only way. ... Also, "unapologetically Christian and unapologetically liberal" — those two don't go together.
Jeri
Posted: October 10, 2008 8:06 AM
I believe that Mr. Obama, like so many other politicians, wants to have it both ways. He contradicts himself however, when he claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ and then professes that he believes there are many paths to God. Jesus did not allow that option, saying "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." I think what is most alarming is how easily this gentleman has seduced Christians with claims that his agenda does not support. However, this should come as no surprise. Jesus said that many who come in His name will deceive many. We are seeing this statement come true before our very eyes.
Pastor Tim
Posted: October 10, 2008 6:56 AM
Three comments for Gods Word. 1) Unless and man or women is BORN AGAIN, they will not see the kindom of God John 3:2-4 their is only one way that leads to God, His name is JESUS 2.) You will Know them by their fruits. Matt 7:15-20. I can park myself on a railroad track and call myself a freight train, but that doesn't make me a freight train. 3.) Their should be a transformation that infects every area of our lives. Our world view, our morals, our actions, reactions, and transactions Romans 12:2. Don't judge a Man or woman, But inspect the fruit or you may eat some worms.
James
Posted: October 10, 2008 2:55 AM
Quote from the article: "Democrats developed a strategy to appeal more to religious Americans. They hired advisers and held forums to learn how to speak more effectively to religious groups and created organizations to target specific religious communities." The same goes for the Republicans under their advisors and handlers like Karl Rove. But whatever the advertising blurb on the packaging of Bush, his actual actions have betrayed his true heart, "Blessed be the warmakers and liars.." Not one of the carefully chosen Neocon cabal around him have been professing Christians in word or, more importantly, in deed. Both parties supported the catastrophic attack on Iraq, the Clintons as much as Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz. Obama, McCain, Palin and Biden are all part of the same sickening warmaking Babylonian, anti-Christian Zionist money-power Demo-Repub Washington-Wall Street system. Christ is going to personally destroy this system (Revelations 18, 19). Come out of her, my people
Jessica
Posted: October 10, 2008 12:21 AM
Obviously Barack Obama believes in having "one wife"! Everyone is taught different things by many divergent groups and systems. It's what we retain and choose to retain (take with us) that counts! I am an American white woman and over my life span of 44 years I have heard numerous teachings from many different perspectives (most people do) church, bible, library, school, media, Internet etc... and I still as an individual have my own right to choose and do choose daily what I believe in. Does anyone not look at fact, that Obama could have been anyone? Believed in anyone? Chose to follow anyone, but did find his own way in following the Lord Jesus Christ? I can see this, others can see this, so I know I am not alone. No we may and do not agree on everything... but we do agree on Jesus and that is the foundation as well as the highlight of my personal belief. Sometimes I think we as Christians hold others up and compare them to Jesus, while this is good, we need hold ourselves up as well
Jim
Posted: October 09, 2008 10:56 PM
Anyone ever bother to consider what the United Church of Christ teaches and believes? It is NOT a Christian denomination. It is a universalist sect which cannot affirm the ancient creeds of the apostolic faith. Where is THAT being discussed? NO ONE in UCC churches is being taught biblical faith and doctrine. Please also note that leftist and democratic websites are encouraging a campaign of disinformation and deception. Their flocks that are being asked to come to this website and many others like it to plant posts that slander McCain & Palin, as well as planting seeds of doubt and guilt among Christains and conservatives. Keep that in mind as you read posts and review survey results.
The militant Left has no scruples or morality.
Discerning believer
Posted: October 09, 2008 9:38 PM
Far-left, pro-gay-rights, against-Marriage-Act Obama is able to fool our youth because they don’t know the basics of salvation. Obama calls himself “a committed Christian” yet his version of Christianity isn’t Biblically based. In a newspaper interview, he said he doesn’t believe in eternal judgment. If there were no eternal judgment for sin, Jesus Christ wouldn’t have had to come down to earth to die on a cross. Obama doesn’t know if he’s going to heaven. Obama questions himself in internal discourse yet calls that prayer. Obama takes issue with Jesus’ words in John 14:6 where Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.”
Last year the highly esteemed Rev. D. James Kennedy closed his sermon on John 14:1-7 with this: “And let me add this. If you go out of here saying you don’t like that text (John 14:6), that is your privilege. But do not call yourself a Christian. You are calling Christ a liar.”
Anonymous
Posted: October 09, 2008 8:35 PM
This so-called article is a travesty. Please educate yourself as to Obama's infanticide policies that he tried to enact while an Illinois State Senator. The man is befriended by racists like Louis Farakhan and Father Pfleueger, and radicals like William Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn. He is continually caught in lies and then pleads ignorance when confronted with the truth about the company he keeps. Read up on Black Liberation Theology - it is nothing but Marxism dressed up in 'godliness' for tax exempt purposes.
Nellie McConnell
Posted: October 09, 2008 7:31 PM
I DISAGREE! I HAVE BEEN A CHRISTIAN FOR A LONG TIME AND I WORK IN A DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE CENTER. HUSSEIN BARICK OBAMA , NOTICE I GAVE HIS FULLL NAME!!! IF OBAMA IS A CHRISTAIAN I DON'T WANT TO BE ONE! HE HAS LISTENED TO HIS PASTOR FOR 20 YEARS AND ONLY WALKED AWAY WHEN HIS CAMPAIGN WAS IN JEPORTY. GIVE ME A BREAK! HE IS A CROOK WITH HIS LOVELY NEIGHBORS! WHY DON'T THE THIS MAGAZINE FIND THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS MAN WHO WILL KILL BABIES, NEXT WILL BE THE OLD PEOPLE, THEN GUNS, KEEP THE ILLEGALS.
HE IS AS FAR AWAY FROM DEMOCRACY AS ANY ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.
Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only.
If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless.
RSS Feeds
Audio
Twitter
E-mail
Print
Post
Subscribe to Christianity Today magazine today!
