President Obama bared his soul before a cross section of Christian leaders at a White House Easter breakfast on Tuesday (April 6), where he spoke publicly of his faith in redemption through Jesus in his most personal terms since becoming president.
Addressing his “brothers and sisters in Christ” among the nearly 90 pastors, community activists, and bishops in attendance, Obama spoke of “our risen savior” and the inspiration he takes from Christ’s resurrection.
“We are awed by the grace he showed even to those who would have killed him,” Obama said, pausing occasionally to glance at written notes. “We are thankful for the sacrifice he gave for the sins of humanity. And we glory in the promise of redemption in the resurrection.”
Don’t go by what he says, go by what he does. This goes for anyone, presidents included.
His sermon was fully orthodox and to the point –sin, forgiveness, resurrection, and even sanctification. It would be helpful if all Easter sermons were so faithful.
This sermon could serve as a litmus test of fairness for his Christian detractors.
Romans 10:9
You got it Daniel.
One short comment, from a man who’s been defined by his soaring rhetoric, does little to offset the blatant absence of faith committment in his actions in public life.
I didn’t see the speech. Was there a teleprompter? Where was this last Easter?
I’d be very thankful if we were witnessing a true rebirth of our president. Pardon me if I demand a bit more evidence from a politician.
Assuming that the reporter has the verbatim quotes correctly,
This is an example Christian vocabulary, put together in ways which are “off” in subtle but significant ways.
He refers to “the grace he showed to those who would have killed him.”
But they DID kill him. He showed grace to those who killed him.
“We glory in the promise of redemption in the resurrection.”
WE glory? really? WE?
“promise of redemption” also seems to imply that redemption is a not-yet-but-in-the-future event. This is not orthodox. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was a once-and-for-all act which secured the forgiveness of sins for all those who call upon his name.
Forgive me, but these muddled phrases smack of a speech-writer with some awareness of Christian vocabulary and phrases being asked to put together a short speech for a religious event.
In the end, I doubt it signifies much of anything except that neither the speechwriter nor the president knows much about the Bible, faith, or theology.
I am so sick of the teleprompter cracks….for gosh sake, Abe Lincoln had the Gettysburg Address written down before he delivered the speech…….they used to read clay tablets, now we have a “Kindle”….we’re still reading……
and after reading all of these comments, it makes me wonder had George W Bush given that speech, would you all be questioning his faith…..question actions all you want, but you might want to question a few on this thread as well……yes, I am a Democrat…..no, I never talked about GWB the way you people talk about this President…….
Give the guy a break.
his steadfast support of abortion rights undermines any Christian light in which he attempts to paint himself….
….including “partial birth” #8.
It appears to me to be a very good message. Far, far better than anything onc could have expected from a disciple of Jeramiah Wright. But I don’t see these fine words (and I mean no sarcasm) matched by his actions supporting un-christian practices such as abortion and homosexual conduct.