Christianity,  Politics

How Pres. Obama Invokes Jesus’ Support for Liberal Policies

Michael Gerson takes on President Obama’s proclivity for invoking Jesus in support of liberal public policies. Pay special attention to the last line. Gerson writes:

Agree or disagree with the policies Obama recommends, his arguments can’t be called sophisticated. They are the liberal political application of a “What Would Jesus Do?” wristband. In a mirror reflection of the religious right, Obama has a tendency to engage in partisan proof texting — which is divisive in service to any ideology. Saying “I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount” is a claim of divine authority that short-circuits democratic debate. Even when Obama changes his political views, Jesus somehow comes around to agreeing with him.

Read the rest here.

6 Comments

    • Denny Burk

      I can’t think of a single hero who uses the Bible in a cynical attempt to undermine what the Bible actually teaches. By definition, that makes them not a hero.

      • Joe Blackmon

        Denny

        All the people that I can think of that do that are liberals. Jimmy Carter, Tony Campolo, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. Emphasis on the nauseum. 🙂

      • Big Daddy Weave

        Your characterization of what President Obama did does not refute the fact that the man you quoted – Michael Gerson – explicitly stated that Obama’s words and actions here are a “mirror reflection of the religious right.”

        It’s interesting that you cite Gerson here as it applies to the President while refusing to accept the exact same critique as it applies to the “religious right.”

        That’s convenient, I guess, but leaves you with little credibility when you go after a fellow evangelical like Jonathan Merritt.

        • Denny Burk

          I don’t “refuse” to accept the exact same critique when it applies to the religious right. I don’t know where you’re getting that from. When people from the religious right abuse the scripture, they should be called out as well.

Comment here. Please use FIRST and LAST name.