Posted on 08/19/2010 9:41:47 AM PDT by Laissez-faire capitalist
I ask for some help from Roman Catholics and Orthodox faiths here since this seems to boil down to the Nicene Creed.
If I am not mistaken, and I don't believe that I am, based upon what I have read about the Nicene Creed, the Nicene Creed affirmed (among other things) that Jesus Christ was the only Way of salvation, that He is 100% Man and 100% God, and that he was of the same substance as the Father.
A recent survey was conducted, and in that survey the number of people believing that Obama is a Muslim has risen from 11% to 18% in a short amount of time. Many media outlets that have reported on this say that Obama is not a Muslim, but is actually a Christian. Hence, why I have asked for some assistance from you on this matter and why I brought the Nicene Creed into the mix, given that, undoubtedly, many ministers within the Greek Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church could trace their office and that of those who directly precede them all the way back to those who particpated at the Council of Nicene.
Back in 2004, Obama was interviewed by Cathleen Falsani of the Chicago Sun Times in an article that dealt with Obama's faith and beliefs. Obama said that he was a Christian and that he believed that "there are many paths to God." When asked by Falsani how he could reconcile that belief with the scripture where Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life... No man comes to the Father but by Me," Obama replied that it depends on how you interpret Jesus' words.
From what I have studied over the years, there were some sects (before the Nicene Creed was affirmed) that believed that Jesus was not 100% God, believed that He was 100% Man, but still believed that He the only Way/Path to God and only Way of salvation for all of mankind. Others believed that He was instead 100% God, but was not 100% Man also, but still believed that he was the only savior of mankind. In fact, even before the Nicene Creed was affirmed, there was no sect that I know of that called itself Christian that believed that Jesus was the not the only savior of mankind and not the only Way/Path to God.
Is Obama a Christian based upon what was affirmed at the Council of Nicene? Obama's words seem to contradict not only Jesus' words, but also what was affirmed at the Council of Nicene.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Does he attend church regularly?
Does he keep the Commandments?
You may have you answer when you answer those two questions.
First it’s not only the Roman and Orthodox Churches that hold to the Nicene Creed. The Lutheran Church holds to the Apostle’s, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds.
Christianity teaches there is but one path to salvation. That is to be imbued by the Holy Spirit with faith in God, and Christ as our Savior. We are to repent our sins, asking Christ for forgiveness. Through God’s gracious love we are then saved. So, no, anyone who believes there are “many” paths to God is not a Christian. One can call oneself a Christian. That doesn’t make it so.
In Jesus’ own words.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. None come unto the Father but by me.”
0bama is not a Christian unless he believes this.
Apparently, he does not, so he is not.
I don’t go by creeds. I go by Jesus’ words. “I am the way. he truth and the life: no man comes to the Father except by me.” John 14:6
That’s all I need to know. None of this ‘many paths’ stuff.
“I am the Way”...not one of the “ways”...Our Lord Jesus was very specific.
I hope that I gave no offense in this matter, as none was intended. Thank you for your input. It was illuminating. I have since added Protestant (since Lutheran is included within that) to the topics list.
Again, thanks.
A Christian, by definition, is one who follows Christ. One cannot very well be a follower of Christ if one calls Him a liar and that is what anyone who says there is another way to salvation is doing.
Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. To say there is another way is to call Jesus, GOD, a lair.
So no, obama is not a Christian, he is a liar.
I would say that it is neither for Obama.
“Need Help From RCC & Orthodox. Is Obama A Christian If He Believes That Jesus Isn’t The Only Way?”
No one who believes that is a Christian.
Oops, ‘the truth’.
Does he celebrate Ramadan in the White House but observe neutrality on Judeo-Christian holy days?
I took no offense. I simply wanted to clarify your post.
“Does he attend church regularly?”
I love my church but I know some very strong Christians that do not attend services anywhere.
“Does he keep the Commandments?”
Do you? Have you ever broken one? I am not defending Obama here, just pointing out that your apparant definition of what a Christian is, is not as strong as I would have expected from you.
Yes, He was/is. If there are ‘many paths’ then they call Him a liar and don’t realize what the cross meant. It trivializes the cross as well.
I think he’s muslim.
Another excellent question to add to my first two.
We could also add these two questions.
Does he read the Bible everyday?
Does he pray to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit every day? (A triune God, not another God)?
I have suspicions as well. But that's all I have. I can say with a certainty, however, that once a person states there are many paths to God, then that person is not a Christian. Christ/the Bible, is very clear on that.
Of course I’ve broken a Commandment. But I know that I am forgiven because I seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many Christians have differing beliefs and I think we can all accept that.
On attending Church — that’s one of the Commandments. Keep holy the Lord’s Day — in other words, do you change your routine and go to church on the Lord’s Day?
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