Obama and the Bible

In a recent campaign stop in Ohio, Senator Obama was asked to express his views on social issues that matter to Christians. the statement that follows represents one of his responses:

“I will tell you that I don’t believe in gay marriage, but I do think that people who are gay and lesbian should be treated with dignity and respect and that the state should not discriminate against them. So, I believe in civil unions that allow a same-sex couple to visit each other in a hospital or transfer property to each other. I don’t think it should be called marriage, but I think that it is a legal right that they should have that is recognized by the state. If people find that controversial then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans. That’s my view. But we can have a respectful disagreement on that.”

The evangelical community is in an uproar over this statement. It is as if no one ever realized that Obama probably denies the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture. While i disagree with what he said based upon convictions regarding logic, theology and philosophy; I cannot say that his approach to Scripture is all that different from the vast majority of supposed evangelicals.

How often do you see Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Robert Schuller, T.D. Jakes and others promoting the love of God with ignoring the judgment of God? Our most popular “leaders” espouse a type of Christianity that focuses in on the comfortable teachings of Scripture, all the while ignoring those pesky and troublesome “obscure” passages.

Senator Obama, you are wrong in you understanding. For the following reasons…

1. You are attributing doctrinal superiority to the Sermon on the Mount because the words were spoken by Christ and recorded by an Apostle. Correct? I am sure you would respond in the affirmative, otherwise your statement makes no sense whatsoever. However, another Apostle, Peter, said the words of Paul were not obscure but rather Scripture! (II Peter 3:16).

2. The Sermon on the Mount does not directly address issues pertaining to homosexuality.

3. To treat someone with dignity means to recognize that they are humans made in the image of God and therefore have inherent value. It is to tread on the dignity of all others to afford certain persons (in this case homosexuals) special rights not afforded others (i.e. heterosexual dating relationships).