Here is a link to a great article by Jim Wallis of Sojourners in which he speaks to the current fears about Senator Barack Obama’s faith. Wallis offers a unique perspective as one who has known Senator Obama for over a decade and has spoken intimately with him about his faith. Wallis says…
Like his politics or not, support his candidacy or not - but don’t disparage Barack Obama’s faith, his church, his minister, or his credibility as an eloquent Christian layman who feels a vocation in politics. Those falsehoods are simply vicious lies and should be denounced by people of faith from across the political spectrum.
With this, I wholeheartedly agree. None of Senator Obama’s words, activities, etc. give me any reason to question the genuineness of his conversion experience. In fact, his speech regarding faith and politics is one of the most well reasoned responses to this issue I have heard. So, bottom line for me is this - whether I agree with his politics or not, I will approach the issue of his faith with all of the grace that I would ask for myself, and leave the question of authenticity where it belongs - in God’s gracious charge.
Still not convinced? That’s okay, but at least read the article and make an informed decision. Because this is a question that is less about politics and more about how we as Christians choose to live out our faith.
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