REVrant 38.8 - Obama Should Stick to Politics...Handling the Bible Doesn't Seem to be His Forte

My Way News - Dobson accuses Obama of 'distorting' Bible.

(Barack Obama)

As you’ll read in the linked article, presidential candidate Barack Obama is trying to show how sections of the Bible cannot be applied to contemporary life.  Using OT texts about slavery and eating restrictions regarding shellfish, he seems very confused about Biblical interpretation and application.  He does the same thing when he suggests that The Defense Department could not “survive the application” of the Sermon on the Mount.

Regulars at FBC will recall that I often say, “You can make the Bible say almost anything you want it to say.”  Obama seems to have succumbed to that temptation.  He cherry-picked a few texts out of their context and mocked the potential contrasting versions of Christianity that would be espoused by James Dobson or Al Sharpton.  His simplistically adds that, “Folks haven’t been reading their Bibles.”  In the words of Dobson, “He is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter.”  

 (James Dobson)

I have been reading my Bible.  In fact, I’ve been studying the Bible for over 50 years, both formally in two Christian colleges, and three seminaries, as a Bible college professor for two years, and as a vocational pastor who has preached from the Bible nearly every weekend for 30 years.  I don’t do politics.  But, I “do Bible.”  That said, I think that Mr. Obama needs to rethink his remarks.

He’s ignoring the historical and cultural setting of the texts he mentioned, in addition to ignoring the genre (type of literature) of the Bible books from which he is quoting.  God never mandated slavery.  He addressed a cultural institution (that often facilitated the literal physical survival of the poor) that was dissimilar in massive ways to the abusive and brutal slavery of blacks in America in our history. (I do not endorse in any way the history of slavery in America!) In fact, in the New Testament, God called for a higher standard in the treatment of slaves (employees) than was practiced by the pagan anti-Christian Romans and Greeks.  Additionally, while God did restrict OT Jews from eating shellfish for sanitary reasons, in the NT, He calls Paul to minister to the Gentiles and as He does, He declares that what were previously classified as “unclean” animals, were declared by God as “clean.”  Finally, Obama falls prey to ignoring the wider Biblical context when he intimates that the Sermon on the Mount suggests that there be no war. (See his reference to the Defense Department.)  He needs to read the OT calls God issues for “just wars” against the enemies of God and then consult Romans 13 for Paul’s description of the “authorities” as “agents of God’s wrath” to bring punishment on the wrong-doers.

Senator Obama, it’s probably best if you stick to politics.  Handling the Bible doesn’t seem to be your forte!

Comments

[Joel Newton]

I think it would be interesting to see the whole text for the speech that Dobson is referencing. Without the context of the speech, these quotes by Dobson seem to be cherry-picked to fit his views of Obama. Dobson should at least sit down with Obama and not write him off because he is a Democrat.

[betsyb]

Dear MHR...
Following is the link to the speech presented by Obama. http://obama.senate.gov/speech/060628-call_to_renewal/

Frankly, as I read the entire speech given by Sen. Obama I was dismayed by the fact that James Dobson, in his haste to attack, completely ignored the fact that Obama was supporting the role of Christian faith in American life. Also, Dobson took Obama's quotes completely out of context. What Obama was trying to say in his reference to abortion is true: We cannot expect a secular world to accept our position on the sanctity of life solely based upon Biblical language; we must find additional language to speak to people who do not accept the Bible as truth. With regard to the Leviticus reference, his question seemed to be rhetorical.

I respect Obama for bringing the subect of faith...and a very public profession of his Christian faith...to his campaign. He is not a theologian, but if the only people who could discuss the Bible in a public setting without fear of being soundly criticed by Christian media were theologians, where would we be? Obama is not an enemy of the faith...he is a Christ professing brother in the Lord. He may not be as conservative as many might want...but Praise God that Jesus' name is being proclaimed boldly by him.

We are very likely to have Senator Obama as our next President. I think we would be best served by praying for him, and expressing our encouragement to him to continue to profess his faith, rather than following Dobson in the path of derision.

[Sandy]

Betsy,
You seem rather certain that Obama is a follower and disciple of Christ. I am as UNCERTAIN as I believe you are CERTAIN. I'm trying to remain as objective as possible re/ our potential future president, but the research I've done is making that difficult. I know that you are aware that just because someone professes faith in Christ doesn't necessarily mean they are genuine in their faith. I think it's very possible that Obama may be a "wolf in sheep's clothing."

[betsyb]

Sandy,
This is when I wish I was out there and could sit with you over a cup of coffee and a Lamar's donut and talk :-). My observation has been that Senator Obama has chosen to publicly proclain his allegiance to Christ despite the fact that many of his Democratic party leaders would prefer that he not. He has chosen to proclaim Christ as his Lord, when it isn't politically to his advantage with the Muslim community...or the Jewish community. He's clearly made some poor choices in terms of his pastor and church, but I can't write off the sincerity of his faith on that basis alone. So, given the fact that he has little to gain, and much to lose by his public profession of faith, I am willing to take him at his word. I'm not able to judge his standing before the Lord...so I'll watch and pray. I'm curious, though...what actions are you concerned about that he might take as a "wolf"?

[Sandy]

Betsy,
You're right...it's difficult in such a short space to communicate all that I've been learning about Obama over the past months. In the space allowed, I'll share with you some of what I've researched. And I might add, I'm not getting my info. from the emails that have been circulating for months. Most of my info. comes from sources that are as objective as is possible in this day and age :-(
Although Obama professes Christ, his personal beliefs do not always line up with scripture. He is definitely pro-choice and has made the statement that he is undecided on whether life begins at conception. He believes that homosexuality is "no more immoral than heterosexuality." I realize that Christians are often criticized for only choosing a candidate based on those two issues. Although that is not the case with me, the issues of abortion and homosexuality tell me volumes about a candidate.
Barak has also been known to contradict himself(i.e He made the statement that he does not refuse to wear flag pins, but in 2007 he did just that).
These are just a few examples that lead me to believe that he may be a "wolf in sheep's clothing." I like you simply want truth...you're right, we need to "watch and pray."