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(4) QUESTION: What would your opinion be of this stance: Obama has been very honest in the past about his faith. He said he was attracted to the church because of its non-literal approach to the Bible. Now that’s coming through Wright. His speech before the United Church of Christ, he very much embraced the basic theological approach of the United Church of Christ. So you could say that he is a very sincere, liberal Christian, with a non-literal approach to Scripture, who would argue that, voicing Niebuhr, that the primary application of the Gospel is in issues of economic, social justice. And that he accepts his church’s teaching on sexuality, in the same way that you accept your church’s teachings on sexuality. So in that case he is a sincere liberal Christian. Would you buy that?
ANSWER:
I could buy that. Again, yes, it goes to the larger question of whether I could buy that overall from that point of view. But is there such thing as a sincere liberal Christian, which says that we basically take this document and re-write it ourselves? Is that really Christian? That’s a bigger question for me. And the answer is, no, it’s not. I don’t think there is such a thing. To take what is plainly written and say that I don’t agree with that, therefore, I don’t have to pay attention to it, means you’re not what you say you are. You’re a liberal something, but you’re not a Christian. That’s sort of how I look at it.
When you go so far afield of that and take what is a salvation story and turn it into a liberation theology story, which is done in the Catholic world as well as in the evangelical world, you have abandoned Christendom, in my opinion. And you don’t have a right to claim it.
You can be any of those and be a Christian. Ironically, Jesus Christ - if you listen to Scripture - was probably closest to being a communist. He shunned material wealth, and he contributed to equality amongst the masses.
The only difference is that he didn't live in Mary and Joseph's basement in his 20s, bitching about people with money.
Ok,
Given this quote, what is your view
Santorum Question 4: Is Obama a sincere, liberal Christian? » OCRPL
Personally, I am quite offended at his judgmental nature. Religion and Politics and their relationship to each other is a complex matter that is not so easily defined. Santorum is correct in the aspect that his interpretation of Christianity and liberalism do not mix, but given that there have been any number of interpretations throughout history by very sincere people and groups that do not agree (catholocism vs protestentism vs orthodox for example) on anything beyond the very basics, his arrogance in thinking that he can define what Christianity is, more so than God, just amazes me.
The fact is, with any complex subject, like a religion, people are going to bring their viewpoints and life experiences with them. They will understand what they understand based largely on concepts that they are already familiar and comfortable with and that will color their view on this subject. THIS IS UNAVOIDABLE and scratch the surface of anyone who believes they have it "right" (except for Jesus) and you will find a person who is small minded enough to not feel the need to learn new ideas.
So, Mr. Santorum, you can continue to be a small minded person who doesn't take life experience into account when making these judgments, but that is your failing, not anyone else's. Such a view is not a conviction or any of that crap, its just you being dumb enough to think your ideology is the best possible and not being open to ideas or data (basically not being open to reality in preference to your own ideas and perceptions)
(yes I know I am judging right back, but I am judging his actions, not his motivations, there is a huge difference (before someone attempts to accuse me of something))
We will find out at the end. Do you follow the New Testament, or not? The Book of Acts talks of speaking in tongues as one step in salvation. How many social conservatives speak in tongues?
Yet personal, nonreligious beliefs should?Personal religious beliefs should not influence the ruling of a group, especially one that is as diverse as ours is.
We will find out at the end. Do you follow the New Testament, or not? The Book of Acts talks of speaking in tongues as one step in salvation. How many social conservatives speak in tongues?
They might care.I would venture a guess that *at the end*, nobody will much care either way.
They might care.
We will find out at the end. Do you follow the New Testament, or not? The Book of Acts talks of speaking in tongues as one step in salvation. How many social conservatives speak in tongues?
Ok,
Given this quote, what is your view
Santorum Question 4: Is Obama a sincere, liberal Christian? » OCRPL
Personally, I am quite offended at his judgmental nature. Religion and Politics and their relationship to each other is a complex matter that is not so easily defined. Santorum is correct in the aspect that his interpretation of Christianity and liberalism do not mix, but given that there have been any number of interpretations throughout history by very sincere people and groups that do not agree (catholocism vs protestentism vs orthodox for example) on anything beyond the very basics, his arrogance in thinking that he can define what Christianity is, more so than God, just amazes me.
The fact is, with any complex subject, like a religion, people are going to bring their viewpoints and life experiences with them. They will understand what they understand based largely on concepts that they are already familiar and comfortable with and that will color their view on this subject. THIS IS UNAVOIDABLE and scratch the surface of anyone who believes they have it "right" (except for Jesus) and you will find a person who is small minded enough to not feel the need to learn new ideas.
So, Mr. Santorum, you can continue to be a small minded person who doesn't take life experience into account when making these judgments, but that is your failing, not anyone else's. Such a view is not a conviction or any of that crap, its just you being dumb enough to think your ideology is the best possible and not being open to ideas or data (basically not being open to reality in preference to your own ideas and perceptions)
(yes I know I am judging right back, but I am judging his actions, not his motivations, there is a huge difference (before someone attempts to accuse me of something))
{Obama's presumed position} with a non-literal approach to Scripture, who would argue that, voicing Niebuhr, that the primary application of the Gospel is in issues of economic, social justice.
{Santorum}When you go so far afield of that and take what is a salvation story and turn it into a liberation theology story, .... you have abandoned Christendom, in my opinion.
Well... respectfully, I disagree. They are far different.Wellll, the blather that comes out of talk radio could be considered speaking in tongues.A lot of it makes about as much sense.
Its one of many gifts of the spirit.
12:27 Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you is a member of it. 12:28 And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues. 12:29 Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform miracles, do they? 12:30 Not all have gifts of healing, do they? Not all speak in tongues, do they? Not all interpret, do they? 7 12:31 But you should be eager for the greater gifts.
Well... respectfully, I disagree. They are far different.
I was ready to join you in condemning Santorum for proclaiming someone Notta-Real-Christian based on political ideology.... but then I went back and read a bit more carefully, and thought a bit.
This is worth taking note of...
What Santorum seems to be saying is that those who think the Gospel is primarily about social/economic justice have missed the boat entirely and misconstrued a spiritual message for a political one.
I agree with that entirely.
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