What do you think of President Bush's comments?

[arunma]

For another thread, I went to look up a video of Joel Osteen teaching universalism, and I accidentally ran into a video of President Bush speaking to the same effect. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_8GoF9SLas

So what do you guys think? I know about the President's faith journey, and while I don't agree with his political platform, I've always considered him to be a Christian brother. Why is it that Christians who come into the public spotlight either go fundamentalist, or compromise on the Gospel? I'm starting to become surprised that so few public figures are able to preach the true Gospel (which includes salvation by faith in Christ only), while not preaching hateful extremism.

[maire]

I think it is pressure.
There are so many people behind the scence probably giving Him advice telling him that he does want to offend anyone.
Satan works in people that are in high power telling them that they don't want to offend people that way they will win there hearts to vote for him.
Hopefully that is not what are president is thinking.
But that is another reason why us as Christians need to pray for our President, whether we dislike, disagree or anything.
I personelly would not want his job for the world.

[arunma]

I think it is pressure.
There are so many people behind the scence probably giving Him advice telling him that he does want to offend anyone.
Satan works in people that are in high power telling them that they don't want to offend people that way they will win there hearts to vote for him.
Hopefully that is not what are president is thinking.
But that is another reason why us as Christians need to pray for our President, whether we dislike, disagree or anything.
I personelly would not want his job for the world.

I'm certain that the President's political advisors tell him not to publically proclaim that Jesus is the sole Savior. And you're correct that we should pray for our leaders. But ultimately, it is the President who makes these comments and not his advisors. Before Bush was elected President, he did believe that salvation was only by faith in Christ. My concern here is that Christians in the religious and secular worlds who become popular figures seem to alter the Gospel. There are ways to truthfully preach the Gospel without sounding offensive, so I think this might be indicative of a deeper issue.

[aReformedPatriot]

For another thread, I went to look up a video of Joel Osteen teaching universalism, and I accidentally ran into a video of President Bush speaking to the same effect. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_8GoF9SLas

So what do you guys think? I know about the President's faith journey, and while I don't agree with his political platform, I've always considered him to be a Christian brother. Why is it that Christians who come into the public spotlight either go fundamentalist, or compromise on the Gospel? I'm starting to become surprised that so few public figures are able to preach the true Gospel (which includes salvation by faith in Christ only), while not preaching hateful extremism.

I don't know my brother. Sin.

[mont974x4]

politics is all it is and it is very sad.

[arunma]

politics is all it is and it is very sad.

I'm not the biggest fan of politics either. But it isn't limited to politics, and by no means do I make a special criticism of the President. As I mentioned in the OP, Joel Osteen did the same thing. And Billy Graham's universalist comments have their own thread right on this forum.

I'll state my concern concisely: I believe that most Christians (in which I include myself) find it easy to say "Jesus is the only way" within the confines of our church walls. But when we go into the world, meet non-Christians, and notice that most of them are decent, upright people, this becomes harder to say, especially to the faces of these unbelievers.

Perhaps we need to relearn how to tell good people that they will go to hell apart from the grace of God through Christ. And we need to learn how to do this without being offensive or fundamentalist, lest we go to the opposite end of the spectrum.

[mont974x4]

ahhh, sorry I went the other direction based on all the posts.

For Christains at large? I'd say it's a multi-part issue:
Few actual born again Christians among the population claiming to be Christians

Lack of understanding of the gospel and biblical illiteracy in general

Lack of understanding that we are all called in the Great Commission and that includes right where we live and in our day to day lives

Laziness..we pay pastors etc to do that sort of thing

Fear of offending someone and/or getting sued


Still, very sad.

[SomeHearts]

I'm certain that the President's political advisors tell him not to publically proclaim that Jesus is the sole Savior. And you're correct that we should pray for our leaders. But ultimately, it is the President who makes these comments and not his advisors. Before Bush was elected President, he did believe that salvation was only by faith in Christ. My concern here is that Christians in the religious and secular worlds who become popular figures seem to alter the Gospel. There are ways to truthfully preach the Gospel without sounding offensive, so I think this might be indicative of a deeper issue.


I agree

[jcright]

I'm very disappointed about hearing what I heard. I'd say he's a sell-out, but then I'd have to question first whether or not he is truly saved. Something I'd hate to do, but with his comments he belongs more in a cult than the Christian realm.

[edb19]

For another thread, I went to look up a video of Joel Osteen teaching universalism, and I accidentally ran into a video of President Bush speaking to the same effect. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_8GoF9SLas

So what do you guys think? I know about the President's faith journey, and while I don't agree with his political platform, I've always considered him to be a Christian brother. Why is it that Christians who come into the public spotlight either go fundamentalist, or compromise on the Gospel? I'm starting to become surprised that so few public figures are able to preach the true Gospel (which includes salvation by faith in Christ only), while not preaching hateful extremism.

I might be in the minority here - but to be perfectly honest I couldn't care less about President Bush's (or any other president's) faith. Their Christianity (or lack there of) has nothing to do with the office they hold. They're presidents, not pastors or church leaders. We are not now (nor have we ever been) a Christian nation.

I do expect a high moral standard - which some presidents have met and others haven't, but that's another issue. But truly - I expect a good work ethic, a genuine concern for the country, a strong respect for the Constitution and for the electorate, a healthy respect for the world as a whole, honesty, fiscal accountability.

I think the only time I would consider faith is if I could find no other differences between the candidates (and I can't imagine that happening).

[jcright]

I might be in the minority here - but to be perfectly honest I couldn't care less about President Bush's (or any other president's) faith. Their Christianity (or lack there of) has nothing to do with the office they hold. They're presidents, not pastors or church leaders. We are not now (nor have we ever been) a Christian nation.

I do expect a high moral standard - which some presidents have met and others haven't, but that's another issue. But truly - I expect a good work ethic, a genuine concern for the country, a strong respect for the Constitution and for the electorate, a healthy respect for the world as a whole, honesty, fiscal accountability.

I think the only time I would consider faith is if I could find no other differences between the candidates (and I can't imagine that happening).

I think you should care. He is calling himself a Christian and yet clearly is abiding by a different scripture. I would rather the rest of the word see us divided on that then think that we are a wishy-washy group who will believe anything.

[edb19]

I think you should care. He is calling himself a Christian and yet clearly is abiding by a different scripture. I would rather the rest of the word see us divided on that then think that we are a wishy-washy group who will believe anything.

I disagree. Again - presidents are elected officials, they aren't pastors. I don't look to the government for religious teaching any more than I look to my pastor for political instruction. Both offices have their place and influence in my life (one much more so than the other)but I don't confuse the two.

[jcright]

I disagree. Again - presidents are elected officials, they aren't pastors. I don't look to the government for religious teaching any more than I look to my pastor for political instruction. Both offices have their place and influence in my life (one much more so than the other)but I don't confuse the two.

That's not the point. They are projecting a false image of Christianity...and they are doing so from a very influential position. Its not a matter of what are they doing for me and other Christians, its a question of what are they doing against God...and that should concern us.

[arunma]

I think both of you bring up good points. As head of State, the President's duties do not include any ecclesiastical roles (nor should they). In that capacity, he could just as well be a pagan, and as long as he faithfully executes the office of the President, it wouldn't really matter. As has already been stated, America isn't a Christian nation.

But then there is the secondary issue. He is a public figure, and he claims to be Christian. In this sense, I'm putting him in the same category as any other well-known Christian (politician and otherwise). So from this point of view, the President's beliefs are rather important to us. For better or worse, many Christians view him as a spiritual leader. And when he makes statements like this, it is important for us to reassert our belief that there is no savior beside Christ.

[edb19]

. . . . And when he makes statements like this, it is important for us to reassert our belief that there is no savior beside Christ.

which we should be doing anyway.

edie

[FallingWaters]

For another thread, I went to look up a video of Joel Osteen teaching universalism, and I accidentally ran into a video of President Bush speaking to the same effect. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_8GoF9SLas

So what do you guys think? I know about the President's faith journey, and while I don't agree with his political platform, I've always considered him to be a Christian brother. Why is it that Christians who come into the public spotlight either go fundamentalist, or compromise on the Gospel? I'm starting to become surprised that so few public figures are able to preach the true Gospel (which includes salvation by faith in Christ only), while not preaching hateful extremism.Well, giving him as much benefit of the doubt as possible - first of all... can you imagine the absolute worldwide outrage of people if he would have said "No, I believe only Christians are going to heaven." ?! Either he has no earthly idea that only Christians are going to heaven - that is - the CHRIST is THE way, THE truth, and THE life, OR he realizes that God can save anybody even if they've been raised in another religion, or without religion at all, or been taught wrongly... which is what he said... "God decides who goes to heaven."

You have to read between the lines. I think he made the best attempt at speaking the truth without causing another terrorist attack.

[arunma]

Well, giving him as much benefit of the doubt as possible - first of all... can you imagine the absolute worldwide outrage of people if he would have said "No, I believe only Christians are going to heaven." ?! Either he has no earthly idea that only Christians are going to heaven - that is - the CHRIST is THE way, THE truth, and THE life, OR he realizes that God can save anybody even if they've been raised in another religion, or without religion at all, or been taught wrongly... which is what he said... "God decides who goes to heaven."

You have to read between the lines. I think he made the best attempt at speaking the truth without causing another terrorist attack.

This brings up another interesting question. Is it the will of God for us to deviate from the Truth in order to preserve the peace?

This isn't meant to be rhetorical, because I could see good arguments for either side.

[Sword-In-Hand]

I listened to that and was bummed out. I've been a supporter of Bush from the beginning. While I think the war has gone on long enough, I still thought he was doing what's right.

But to me, him being the president is irrelevant in this situation. Any of us should think of ourselves as Christians first and then what our other title is; president, govenor, whatnot.

I think God is putting these outspoken Christians on a wide platform to see if they'll speak about Jesus so boldly as they speak about love or political issues. So far, in my mind, Bush and Osteen have failed.

I wanna see one, just one Christian, stand in front of the media and proclaim Jesus is the only way. Jesus didn't seem to care who He'd offend when He made the claim. I don't see why we should be any different.

It boils down to being afraid or ashamed and we all know what scripture says about that. I really hope if I'm ever tested like this on such a broad scale, I'll proudly say that Jesus is the only way any of us will see heaven.

I guess anyone can see that this has irked me.:sigh:

[JPPT1974]

Look even though I didn't like
Or agree with his lifestyle I supported
Clinton because he was our president back then
You can agree to disagree you know
I support Bush because mainly I think GOP!

[Atlantians]

Well apparently he has ventured into heresy, tis unfortunate.

[GordonSlocum]

I don't agree with the universal statements Bush makes. However, I do believe he is a "Real Christian". His statements don't in my opinion reflect his real thinking.

How, he states it in public and what he really thinks for many believers pose an issue of honesty to believe with respect to talk.

I personally think he could phrase some religious statements different without coming across mean spirited and obviously anti this and that. However, you and I are not in his shoes and it is so easy to say we would this and that.

Whatever there is that we don't like about Him he was far better than our second choice. It is good to criticize, but we must be level minded at the same time.

This world is not our home we are passing through. Things are not going to get better, except for brief intermittent times perhaps. We have read the Book and We know the end. We know the process. The NT writers make it clear that things are going to get worse, not better, until Jesus Comes for his Bride, the church.

God Bless.

[edb19]

I wanna see one, just one Christian, stand in front of the media and proclaim Jesus is the only way. Jesus didn't seem to care who He'd offend when He made the claim. I don't see why we should be any different.

Al Mohler has been a guest on Larry King Live and done that very thing (several times).

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/15/lkl.01.html

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0601/17/lkl.01.html

http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/2006/01/dr-al-mohler-on-larry-king.html