Is Barack Obama a Christian as He Claims? Part 2

In this part I am going to examine parts of the transcript of a 2004 interview of Barack Obama by Cathleen Falsani. My responses will be in maroon.

During the interview, Obama was asked what he believed in regards to religion.  He stated:  I am a Christian.  So, I have a deep faith. So, I draw from the Christian faith.  On the other hand, I was born in Hawaii where obviously there are a lot of Eastern influences.   I lived in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world, between the ages of six and 10.  My father was from Kenya, and although he was probably most accurately labeled an agnostic, his father was Muslim.  And I’d say, probably, intellectually I’ve drawn as much from Judaism as any other faith.  So, I’m rooted in the Christian tradition. 

How can he be “rooted in the Christian tradition” when this statement says nothing about Christianity, rather it mentions “Eastern” religions, Islam, agnosticism, and Judaism?

I believe that there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people. That there are values that transcend race or culture, that move us forward, and there’s an obligation for all of us individually as well as collectively to take responsibility to make those values lived.

Christianity teaches only ONE path to God, and that is through Jesus Christ (Matt. 7:13; John 3:18, 36; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; 1 John 2:23, 5:11-12), and for Obama to claim to be a Christian and yet say there are many paths to God proves he doesn’t understand the Christian faith.  Yes there are indeed moral values which transcend race and culture; God tells us that these things are planted in the heart of every person (Romans 2:14-15)

And so, part of my project in life was probably to spend the first 40 years of my life figuring out what I did believe – I’m 42 now – and it’s not that I had it all completely worked out, but I’m spending a lot of time now trying to apply what I believe and trying to live up to those values.

When he was asked if he had always been a Christian, Obama replied that “I was raised more by my mother and my mother was Christian.”  

This says what his mother was but doesn’t say Obama was always a Christian.  He wasn’t asked to clarify.

Obama was then asked what “flavor” and he responded thus:

My grandparents who were from small towns in Kansas. My grandmother was Methodist. My grandfather was Baptist. This was at a time when I think the Methodists felt slightly superior to the Baptists. And by the time I was born, they were, I think, my grandparents had joined a Universalist church.  So, my mother, who I think had as much influence on my values as anybody, was not someone who wore her religion on her sleeve. We’d go to church for Easter. She wasn’t a church lady.

As I said, we moved to Indonesia. She remarried an Indonesian who wasn’t particularly, he wasn’t a practicing Muslim. I went to a Catholic school in a Muslim country. So I was studying the Bible and catechisms by day, and at night you’d hear the prayer call.

So I don’t think as a child we were, or I had a structured religious education. But my mother was deeply spiritual person, and would spend a lot of time talking about values and give me books about the world’s religions, and talk to me about them. And I think always, her view always was that underlying these religions were a common set of beliefs about how you treat other people and how you aspire to act, not just for yourself but also for the greater good.

So we find that Obama was exposed to various religious beliefs and that his mother taught that all these religions had a “common set of beliefs,” yet nothing is said about what his mother’s beliefs really were even though he says she was a Christian.  My question is, why would a Christian mother want to introduce her son into all these other belief systems?

Barack Obama claims he came to Christ via an altar call in 1987 or 1988:  It was a daytime service, during a daytime service. And it was a powerful moment. Because, it was powerful for me because it not only confirmed my faith, it not only gave shape to my faith, but I think, also, allowed me to connect the work I had been pursuing with my faith.

So it was an “altar call” which decided Obama’s faith; altar calls are responsible for a lot of false conversions.

When asked if that meant he “got yourself born again,” Obama replied:  

Yeah, although I don’t — I retain from my childhood and my experiences growing up, a suspicion of dogma. And I’m not somebody who is always comfortable with language that implies I’ve got a monopoly on the truth, or that my faith is automatically transferable to others.  I’m a big believer in tolerance. I think that religion at it’s best comes with a big dose of doubt. 

Notice he immediately attacks “dogma,” and doesn’t like the idea that Christianity claims to have a “monopoly on truth.”  He also thinks religion is “best” “with a big dose of doubt.” Without “dogma” or “doctrine” one has no foundation for their faith.  I have to question just how deep his faith is if he thinks it has to come with “a big dose of doubt.”

I’m suspicious of too much certainty in the pursuit of understanding just because I think people are limited in their understanding.  I think that, particularly as somebody who’s now in the public realm and is a student of what brings people together and what drives them apart, there’s an enormous amount of damage done around the world in the name of religion and certainty.

Apparently, the truth claims of the Christian faith disturb Mr. Obama.  If one doesn’t think their faith is true, then what is their faith really in?

Obama was asked, “Who’s Jesus to you?”  This was his response:  Right. Jesus is an historical figure for me, and he’s also a bridge between God and man, in the Christian faith, and one that I think is powerful precisely because he serves as that means of us reaching something higher.  And he’s also a wonderful teacher. I think it’s important for all of us, of whatever faith, to have teachers in the flesh and also teachers in history.  

Notice that Obama says nothing about Jesus saving us from our sins, only that He is a bridge between God and man who is powerful as a “means of us reaching something higher” (whatever that may be), and that He is a “wonderful teacher.”  And then he makes a point about the importance of ANY faith.

With a follow-up question he stated he has a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ,” as well as having read the Bible.

Lots of people who are non-Christians read the Bible; reading the Bible does not make one a believer.  He never explains what he means by a “personal relationship” with Jesus; Mormons make the same claim, but they worship a Jesus of their own making, which the UCC denomination also does.

Further in the interview he stated, “I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper, we are all children of God.”

Here is another example where Obama proves he doesn’t understand the Christian faith.  We are NOT all “children of God” (John 8:41-45, 47).  To be a child of God one MUST be a true Christian.

Continuing in the interview, Obama said, “There’s the belief, certainly in some quarters, that people haven’t embraced Jesus Christ as their personal savior that they’re going to hell.”  When asked if he believe that he said, I find it hard to believe that my God would consign four-fifths of the world to hell.  I can’t imagine that my God would allow some little Hindu kid in India who never interacts with the Christian faith to somehow burn for all eternity.  That’s just not part of my religious makeup.

Well, the Scripture says over and over again that unless one personally believes that Christ died for their sin, they will die in their sin (Romans 6:23) — and the punishment for sin is eternal in hell.  Jesus talked more about hell than He did about heaven, and yet Mr. Obama denies this.

Obama was asked if he believed in heaven.  His response:  What I believe in is that if I live my life as well as I can, that I will be rewarded. I don’t presume to have knowledge of what happens after I die. But I feel very strongly that whether the reward is in the here and now or in the hereafter, the aligning myself to my faith and my values is a good thing.  When I tuck in my daughters at night and I feel like I’ve been a good father to them, and I see in them that I am transferring values that I got from my mother and that they’re kind people and that they’re honest people, and they’re curious people, that’s a little piece of heaven.

Obama’s heaven is accessed through good works, yet the Bible says that, to God, all our righteous deeds, all our good works, are just like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

When asked what sin is, Obama said, Being out of alignment with my values.

Sin is being out of alignment with Obama’s values, not out of alignment with God’s values?!?

This statement alone proves that Mr. Obama has no understanding of the Christian faith.  Sin is rebellion against God’s laws, not being “out of alignment” with one’s personal values.

Then he was asked what happens if he has sin in his life:  I think it’s the same thing as the question about heaven. In the same way that if I’m true to myself and my faith that that is its own reward, when I’m not true to it, it’s its own punishment.

So if he is true to himself and his faith, that is its own reward, and when he is not true to them it is its own punishment?  There is no real punishment from God?  God just looks the other way?

So is Barack Obama a Christian as defined by the Bible?  By what we have seen of the beliefs taught by his church (both denomination and local), and by his own publicly stated political beliefs and actions (pro-abortion, pro-same-sex fake marriage, pro-homosexuality in general, pro-“transgender,” pro-sexual immorality in general, pro-Muslim and anti-Christian statements and actions, pro-socialism [theft], etc), one could not conclude that he believes in the God or Christ of the Bible.  Additionally, from this interview, it is very plain that he has virtually no understanding of the Christian faith, let alone an understanding of what sin is.

Okay, what is the purpose of this exercise of examining Barack Obama’s claims to be a Christian?  Discernment!  Just because someone claims to be a follower of Christ, if his stated beliefs and actions contradict what Scripture tells us, then we have to say he is lying about being a Christian.  If a church organization/denomination claims to be Christian and yet teaches contrary to what God has told us in Scripture, then they are worshiping a god and christ of their own making, and they are still dead in their sins.

Is Barack Obama a Christian as He Claims? Part 1

President Obama claims to be a Christian, and the media gets a lot of mileage out of helping him make this claim.  But just because Obama claims to be a Christian, that doesn’t make it so.  The intent of this article is to examine his claim in light of Scripture.  We need to start with some background information.

Obama attended the Trinity United Church of Christ in the Chicago area, whose pastor was Jeremiah Wright.  Being a UCC assembly, this made them part of the most liberal denomination which still considers itself “Christian.” To back up this charge, let’s look at what the UCC says about their denomination, gleaning from their official web site.

We work with — not against — people of other faiths.  Why? Because God is still speaking.

I’d like to know where they find in Scripture that we are to work with people who are worshipping idols and other gods.  And I’d like to know where they are hearing from God outside of Scripture; in what way is God still speaking?

We believe that all of the baptized “belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” No matter who – no matter what – no matter where we are on life's journey – notwithstanding race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, class or creed – we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith.

Notice they include “gender identity or expression” and “sexual orientation.”  The UCC supports the false idea of “transgenderism,” which refutes the idea that people are created only man and woman and nothing in between.  They enable people who have emotional problems and believe they are what they are not.  The UCC fosters this lie.  The UCC also supports homosexuality, which is abject rebellion against God, as I demonstrated in this article.  Not only do they support homosexuality, but they sanction same-sex unions and perform fake marriages, as well as ordaining homosexuals as pastors.  Before the SCOTUS forced same-sex fake marriage on the entire U.S., the UCC vehemently fought to overturn bans against SSFM.  (They also ordain women as pastors, contrary to 1 Timothy 2.)

Under “Justice Issues,” the UCC shows all their social activism, most of which is socialism (theft from those who have to give it to those who have not) and the “social gospel,” neither of which is biblical.  In reading their numerous links you see more support for sexual perversion, be it homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism, or any other permutation other than what God ordained for human sexuality.  The UCC is vigorous in their efforts to support the murder of the unborn, contrary to the 6th commandment against murder.  In this vein they also support euthanasia!  If there is a political or social liberal stance on any topic, the UCC supports it 100%.  They claim Israel is an “occupation” of “Palestine,” and seem to lay all the problems there at the foot of Israel!  In addition to this, they support the very racist “Black Lives Matter” movement.  While some of these issues are not necessarily theological issues, they all form a solitary worldview which is totally anti-biblical “Christianity.”

On their site’s advice column, the response to someone questioning about polyamory/polygamy was ambiguous as to whether it is right or wrong, rather the advice mainly noted problems it causes, and then says there is no right answer to the issue except that the couple has to be on the same page!

The UCC has adopted a resolution opposing hostility towards Islam, without regard to the fact that Islam wants to eradicate all Jews and Christians.

I can’t find any information on their site about their view of Scripture, but I’ve seen many, many of their pastors teaching that Genesis is essentially myth until Abraham.  Of course with a no literal Adam and Eve that leaves no basis for the Jewish or Christian faiths.  I’ve also encountered UCC leaders who teach universalism and that there is no hell.

Let’s look at the official site of the specific assembly which Obama attended for 20 years or so to see their ideology, which is in addition to the UCC denominational ideology.  The first thing you see when you go to their home page is support for “Black Lives Matter.”  Pastor Jeremiah Wright, who was Obama’s pastor, teaches Black Liberation Theology, which is a Marxist, racist version of the social gospel founded mostly by James Cone; and Trinity’s website certainly shows this as a basic belief.  In fact, they say “Trinity UCC is a social justice church.  The heart of our social justice ministry resides within the Liberation and Outreach ministries.”  Additionally, they have a Yoga ministry - a ministry teaching the practices of Buddhism and Hinduism.

Lastly, when observing the church history, you will see they have ordained female pastors, and have promoted racism.

Now that we’ve reviewed the teachings of the denomination and of the individual assembly Barack Obama attended for 20 years, we can understand what his particular beliefs should be, which are totally unbiblical and even racist.  Therefore, their teachings are additions to Christianity, leading them to worship a Jesus and a god with a different identities than those of the Bible.  This Jesus cannot save.

In Part 2, we will examine an interview of Barack Obama in which he tells his testimony and some specific beliefs.

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

Another collection today!

I had to be amused about this article.  President Obama can’t understand why REAL Christians can’t accept his claim of being a Christian.  Let’s see: could it be that he spent 20 years in an assembly of the United Church of Christ - the most heretical and aberrant denomination still claiming to be Christian?  Could it be that the “pastor” he sat under for 20 years taught racism?  Could it be because his “pastor” taught Black Liberation Theology?  Could it be because he is 100% pro-homosexual behavior and has fought to establish same-sex fake marriage?  Could it be his rabid protection and promotion of abortion?  Could it be his support for Islam?  What about all these reasons and more?  The man abuses Scripture when he does mention Christian teachings!  Mr. Obama has no understanding of the Christian faith, promotes heretical theology and rebellion against God and he wonders why his claim to be a Christian is questioned?!?!?!?

A major story in the news this past week is the mega-church in Nashville whose “pastor” Stan Mitchell has decided to embrace same-sex fake marriage as well as homosexual behavior in general.  He claims to “sense the presence of God.”  So not only has he led his congregation into apostasy, but he blasphemes God while he’s at it.  Denny Burke points out that his church really transitioned to this point three years ago due to being “bereft of biblical ecclesiology.”  Larry Tomczak has an excellent “Word of Warning to a Gay-approving Nashville Church and Beyond.”  I especially like Larry’s opening statement by Adolf Hitler.

The sad thing is that those who practice homosexual behavior while maintaining that they are Christians is becoming the norm.   These people think rebelling against God is okay.

I can’t think of a much more blasphemous sculpture than one which claims to be a homeless “Jesus” sleeping on a bench.  Of course the local PCUSA “pastor” is excited about it.  What can you expect from an apostate denomination?  Oh, and you’ll be excited to know that the Pope commissioned it to go to Rome!!  Pure idolatry.

Yet another article explaining what the Bible really means when it says, “Judge not that ye be not judged.”

“Let’s Stop Singing These 10 Worship Songs.”  I can think of a lot more to add to this list!  In a discussion about worship songs with a friend, he said, “When you feed kids milk it’s hard to wean them...even harder when an industry is built up around the milk products.”  He was so right on target.

Some quick memes to learn what Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen teach.

One of the heretical teachings from the Word of Faith teachers is that Jesus was actually made into sin while on the Cross.  The Cripplegate has an excellent article to refute such nonsense.

Many of these same heretics claim that dead heretics appear to them in dreams.

Finally, the station which hosts a huge number of these WoF heretics is the subject of a scandal, which really doesn’t surprise me.  These people are only in it for the millions of dollars the swindle out of their deceived followers.

Random Apostasies and Heresies

I came across lots of interesting things this week, things which I feel all Christians should be aware of so as to protect themselves from various deceptions.

Remember that T.D. Jakes claims now to be a Trinitarian (although describing the Trinity as “manifestations”) and so is to be accepted as an evangelical pastor according to James MacDonald?  Peruse Erin’s report at “Do Not Be Surprised...” to see this nonsense between Mark Driscoll and Jakes.  The problem is that T.D. Jakes is still a WOF heretic.  

Back to Paula White, it seems she is T.D. Jakes’ “spiritual daughter” in the WOF heresy, and as a WOF heretic she should be avoided like the plague!  To demonstrate the connection between White and Jakes, and the luxurious lifestyle these people enjoy while fleecing their followers, White gave Jakes a Bentley convertible.  Of course she drives a Mercedes-Benz and lives in a $2.1 million home, while flying around in a private jet the way all these WOF goatherds do.

So now we have T.D. Jakes connected to Paula White by theology, and Paula White connected to Ralph Messer.  Where do we go from here?  Well, another TBN Word Of Faith heretic, Kenneth Copeland, claims Messer is a prophet of God!

All these WOF heretics are cut from the same cloth and yet with the Elephant Room 2 crew we have praise for T.D. Jakes claiming to be a Trinitarian, as if that is the end of his heretical belief system!

Just for people who don’t understand WOF teaching, watch this video posted by Ken Silva.  The audio broadcasts previous to the message about the false teachings, are by various WOF teachers - you might even recognize a voice or two. (While the video is about more than just WOF, the examples of WOF teachings are worth hearing.)  The massive wealth of these WOF teachers should be the very first clue that they are false teachers.

Now, just to round out this section about WOF, and especially about T.D. Jakes, you’ll be happy to know that Jakes’ May 2012 “Leadership Conference” will feature heretic Joel Osteen!  Just verifies the old adage about birds of a feather flocking together.  And yet James MacDonald is wanting Jakes to be accepted as evangelical?!? 

All the liberal, so-called “Christian” leaders support President Obama, yet Obama is clearly a false teacher when it comes to all things biblical.  For one thing, he sat under false teacher Jeremiah Wright for over 20 years learning Black Liberation Theology, as well as the social gospel.  As usual, this past week Mr. Obama again abused Scripture to support his agenda.  Midwest Christian Outreach has a good report on this.

More on the Wycliffe mis-translation problem.  Here is the first update about Wycliffe’s claims.  Yesterday this update was posted.

Pastor John Piper seems to be sliding farther and farther away from solid biblical teaching.  Now he is supporting a contemplative/emerging author, Lauren Winner.  Winner is an ordained “Reverend” with the apostate Episcopal Church (go figure).

It always amazes me to see so much apostasy in the Church today.  While most of it is due to bad teaching, some is like what happens at smaller churches such as this Baptist church in Florida who has a convicted pedophile preacher!!!

An interesting development is the “open letter of repentance” by a lady who taught from Beth Moore and Henry Blackaby.  She is now admitting her error of promoting these false teachers.  Bravo for her.

Well, there are still some solid biblical teachers out there who can provide us with some good thought-provoking messages.  Over at “the Cripplegate,” Nathan Busenitz has an excellent article about the responsibility of Christians when it comes to illegal immigration.

Janis Hutchinson has part two of “How to confirm what you believe.”  If you missed part one, I recommend your going back to read it.  

Finally, Stan over at Winging It has a provoking article about the “frog in the water” syndrome among Christians.