Mr. Obama

No I am not entering into a political discussion. That is not the purpose of Christian Epignosis. My writing here is focused on what we know (epignosis) as Christian’s. The corollary is to talk about what we do not know.

The world presents us with a wide variety of things Christian. This buffet that is spread before us is tempting, appealing and often not Christian at all. We as Christians ought to know what it is to be Christian and in simple terms be able to express what our faith is about. Central to our faith is Christ.

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. (Mat 16:13-17 ESV)

Christ means anointed of God. He is God’s Son. He stands before the disciples fully man. He is God become flesh living in His creation. He is far more than a prophet or a teacher or a great man living his life more fully than other men. We know who Christ is only by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We know it because God the Father reveals it to us.

I am quoting from a 2004 interview with Barach Obama found here:

“Who’s Jesus to you?

(He laughs nervously)

OBAMA:

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.”

This is not the Christian understanding of Christ. Obama says that Jesus “serves as that means of us reaching something higher”. He is a wonderful teacher.

Is there some truth in these words? Yes. Jesus did teach wonderfully. Much of what He taught was that man was in desperate need of a Savior. People point to the Sermon on the Mount as His greatest teaching. A major point of this teaching was that man did not have within himself the means to change, to act as God intended for him to act. Man was fully affected by sin affecting his thoughts, his will and his actions. Man required far more than a good teacher to get them out of their dilemma, they required payment for their sins, thus they required a Savior.

Jesus demonstrated that man’s reliance on himself leads only to God's judgment. Jesus offered Himself as the only way for man to avoid that judgment. Jesus taught clearly that man had rejected God and instead relied on his own view of the world.

Jesus did not give us teaching that could provide a path to something higher based on his teaching and a responding human endeavor. Man's works have no standing in God's sight. In fact Christ brought an end to any delusions concerning such schemes of self improvement.

Another quote:

Do you believe in sin?

OBAMA:

Yes.

What is sin?

OBAMA:

Being out of alignment with my values.

What happens if you have sin in your life?

OBAMA:

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."

Obama's understanding of sin is that it is being out of alignment with his values. The point of reference for Obama is himself.

The reality is that at its heart sin is man's reliance on himself and a rejection of God. Obama's point of reference for sin is not God, or the Word of God. or God's moral law, or God's character. Sin for Obama is defined as not being true to self which is the the very root of sin.

This is not a judgment of Mr. Obama. It , however, saddens me that he holds to a false gospel that is represented as Christian.

The Church needs to be discerning. The world needs the true Gospel desperately. Many are following a false gospel today. A gospel with man at its center. A gospel where we are free to establish our own values and rules. A gospel that provides a means to God no matter what your faith. Be fully aware that this gospel is empty of hope. It can not satisfy a righteous God.

Salvation is found only in Christ. If you are looking for God's approval by your good works and good intentions, you are lost in your sin. Your salvation will come only when you give up on your self and turn to Christ as Lord and Savior.

Read the interview. You will find that Mr. Obama rejects such a narrow gospel.

My prayer is that you do not.