On Tuesday, a celebration was held at the White House for the Muslim observance of Ramadan. In his speech for the
occasion, President Obama continued his effort to find common ground for the nation’s various religious views. To support his point, though, he chose an ill-advised quote from boxer Mohammed Ali:
“A few years ago, he explained this view – and this is part of why he’s The Greatest – saying, ‘Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams – they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do – they all contain truths’. . . They all contain truths. Among those truths are the pursuit of peace and the dignity of all human beings. That must always form the basis upon which we find common ground.”
All citizens in a society built on the principle of freedom of worship should respect and tolerate one another. The freedom of others to worship as they see fit should ensure the same freedom for you and me. But quotes like Ali’s feed a dangerous notion that all faith systems eventually lead to the same place. They may all contain some truth, but they cannot, by their own admission and beliefs, all lead to God.
How can Christianity’s claim that Jesus is the only way to God possess the same validity as Islam, which claims that Allah has no son? They may share some teachings on peace and human dignity, but you can only follow one to reach God. Follow the other and you will perish.
In his defense, the president was making a political point of seeking harmony in a pluralistic democracy. But when he publicly declares his approbation of a statement that sounds like “all paths take you to heaven”, many untaught souls can be led astray. It would be better if our leaders stuck to their calling of protecting freedom, not making theological commentary. The president will not say (nor is it his role to say) things like
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” John 14:6, 7
. . . and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. . . For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:8, 9, 14
Enter the Church. It is our responsibility, as well as God’s plan for societal Christian education to rightly divide the Word of truth for the world around us. This includes our political leaders. The Church must be proactive in going to lawmakers to share the truth of the gospel, praying for receptive hearts. The Church should be the theological gatekeeper to see that a loving, but accurate message is clearly presented to the world.
Each time you see President Obama on the news, breathe a prayer for his spiritual inner man. “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” 1 Timothy 2:3, 4.
I agree that we need to pray that the President would be saved. I also believe God enables politicians that are believers to have an impact for Christ on America, especially when they realize that it absolutely is their role as it is all of our roles, as members of the Church, to speak the truth in love and boldly proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. (Does Shanghai have a mayor?)
By: Buck on September 3, 2009
at 7:52 pm
Buck, Shanghai barely has an intersection!
My main point in this post was to highlight the roles of institutions. When the church takes over governmental functions, it’s out of bounds and not functioning as it should. The opposite is also true. You’re right that believing politicians should share their faith as members of the Body of Christ, and their policy views should be informed by Scripture as well.
But when they make theological pronouncements (especially false ones), it’s damaging. Obama has no more need to share his belief that all paths lead to God any more than John Kennedy should have worked Mary worship or transubstantiation into his speeches.
Before he became so ill, I used to watch our Senator Byrd give his long, flowing speeches from the floor on CSPAN. I admit I cringed when he started using Scripture (which he often did) to support his political arguments, usually because he had to twist the true meaning of the text to make it fit. Politicians by and large have little if any theological training and can misuse the power of Scripture when they “play in the wrong sandbox”. Or to use another illustration, they can be like a kid who finds a 357 Magnum – they think they know how to handle it, but can hurt themselves and others since they are unaware of the power they are messing with.
That’s why I’m glad to be in a ministry that seeks to teach the Bible to leaders. It also reminds me what a responsibility it is – I need your prayers that what I present will be accurate doctrine.
By: Brent Alderman on September 4, 2009
at 1:09 am
Hey Brent,
Have passed on couple of blogs and these last two really help to keep disgruntled and even fearful (about the direction of our country) Christians on target. I am dismayed at the amount of satiracle jokes and blasting commentaries I recieve from fellow Christians regarding the serious state of our country or our political officials. Responding with your blogs provide some balance. I like a laugh too, but lately the e-mails getting forwarded fast and furiously are offensive to me. We will be praying that you present an accurate doctine and you pray that God’s people respond responsibly and according to Christ’s character in all areas of their lives- even venting political frustrations in e-mails! Thanks for your ministry in the political arena!
By: Shari Scolaro on September 4, 2009
at 2:53 pm
That’s encouraging, Shari. Thanks. I’ve seen emails like you described. They are misdirecting our attention from the commission we’ve been given and lead us away from praying for our leaders. I guess it’s more fun to lampoon and laugh than petition and pray.
By: Brent Alderman on September 4, 2009
at 3:17 pm
Great article, Brent.
By: Mark Johnson on September 5, 2009
at 8:00 am