Drina Gorge, Serbia (trekearth.com)
A portion of my PhD revisions:
Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834)[1] according to W.A. Hoffecker (1996), is considered to be a very influential theologian of the nineteenth century,[2] and the father of liberal Protestant theology.[3] Schleiermacher’s views on omnipotence can be contrasted with traditional view discussed.[4] Editors H.R. Mackintosh and J.S. Stewart (1821)(1928)(1976) within the Editors Preface of Schleiermacher’s 1821 text The Christian Faith provide the opinion that besides John Calvin’s Institutes[5], The Christian Faith is the most important work covering Christian theology and doctrine within Protestantism.[6] George Cross within his 1913 text, The Theology of Schleiermacher explains that in Schleiermacher’s theology human religious consciousness[7] expresses a relation between God and the world,[8] and therefore the consciousness of a dependence on God only arises in connection with the world.[9] God-consciousness[10] is connected with every human experience[11] and this is a demand upon human nature.[12] and this means every ‘world-impression’ must be able to connect with religious feeling.[13] God-consciousness is not only a contingent aspect of human experience,[14] as this would not allow God omnipotence to be an obtained expression in this world.[15] God’s omnipotence can only be referred to as finite human beings are affected by it through our God consciousness.[16] Divine omnipotence will be conceived by persons as eternal and omnipresent[17] as everything in reality is already ‘posited through finite causes in time and space.’[18] Everything that exists by natural order still takes places through divine omnipotence and therefore through One, that being God.[19] W.B. Selbie (1911)(2009) explains that for Schleiermacher, the almighty nature of God is ‘grounded in the infinite causality’ of the divine God.[20] Persons understand the manifested causality of God through human dependence on everything that comes from this divine being.[21] There is little difference for Schleiermacher between what can do and what God will do.[22] God’s omnipotence is energy everywhere in action and equates to all possible things.[23] God can do what he wills, and ‘whichever is greater than the other, the will or the ability, there is always a limitation.’[24] This limitation is only done away with for Schleiermacher when what God can do and will do, are equal in range.[25] The inner power of God to do something and his will do it cannot be separated.[26] God’s almighty power is not the power to do anything, but instead anything God pleases.[27] The divine power of the Almighty is subject to self-limitations which are connected to both God’s moral nature and the freedom of his human creatures.[28] The one all-embracing divine will is identical with eternal omnipotence.[29]
Schleiermacher’s approach redefines Christian religion as a unique element of human experience, not located in the intellectual and moral aspects of persons as these produce indirect knowledge concerning God only.[30] God is instead experienced through feeling.[31] The infinite God is experienced through human experience with the finite world[32] and not primarily from rational and doctrinal concepts.[33] Therefore, Schleiermacher, unlike many traditional and Reformed approaches with the omnipotence of God[34] is not primarily concerned with a dogma and doctrine[35] concerning the omnipotence of God, but is instead focused on how God is experienced by persons[36], and this would include God’s attribute of omnipotence. I personally still favour a doctrinal approach[37] but also grant that an understanding of God, which can include both intellectual and emotional[38] aspects can be reasonably theologically considered. Also, there is at least minimally, some truth to the notion that the omnipotence of God with the approach of Schleiermacher, can be experienced by persons through the finite world.[39] God’s almighty power and will[40] can be somewhat deduced through his creation that human beings experience daily.[41]
[1] Grenz and Olson (1992: 40). Hoffecker (1996: 983).
[2] Hoffecker (1996: 981). Stephen Neill and Tom Wright explain that Schleiermacher’s influence upon theology was notable by the end of the eighteenth century. Neill and Wright (1964)(1988: 3).
[3] Hoffecker (1996: 981). Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson reason Schleiermacher is a pioneer in theology. Grenz and Olson (1992: 40). His influence on contemporary theology ‘can hardly be over estimated.’ Grenz and Olson (1992: 39).
[4] Traditional and Reformed.
[5] Calvin, John (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion.
[6] Mackintosh and Stewart (1821)(1928)(1976: v).
[7] As discussed and referenced from Schleiermacher’s text The Christian Faith. See also Selbie (1911)(2009: 68-70).
[8] Cross (1913)(2009: 1). Selbie (1911)(2009: 68-70).
[9] Cross (1913)(2009: 1). Selbie (1911)(2009: 68-70). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[10] This will be further discussed in Chapter Four, as Schleiermacher’s views have influenced John Hick.
[11] Cross (1913)(2009: 1). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[12] Cross (1913)(2009: 1). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[13] Cross (1913)(2009: 1).
[14] Cross (1913)(2009: 1).
[15] Cross (1913)(2009: 1).
[16] Cross (1913)(2009: 1).
[17] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212).
[18] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212).
[19] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212).
[20] Selbie (1911)(2009: 68). Within natural order every effect has been ordained by divine causality. Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212).
[21] Selbie (1911)(2009: 68). Persons understand omnipotence also based on a feeling of ‘absolute dependence’ on God. Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[22] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214). Selbie (1911)(2009: 68).
[23] Selbie (1911)(2009: 68). Selbie further explains that omnipotence for Schleiermacher is the ‘infinity of divine productivity.’ Selbie (1911)(2009: 70).
[24] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214).
[25] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214).
[26] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214). Selbie (1911)(2009: 68).
[27] Selbie (1911)(2009: 68).
[28] Selbie (1911)(2009: 68-69).
[29] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214).
[30] Hoffecker (1996: 982).
[31] Hoffecker (1996: 982). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[32] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[33] Hoffecker (1996: 982).
[34] Such as Erickson and Frame.
[35] Hoffecker (1996: 982). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[36] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[37] In particular a Reformed perspective.
[38] Including feelings. Hoffecker (1996: 982). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[39] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[40] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214-215).
[41] Romans, Chapter 1 indicates this idea and C.E.B. Cranfield explains that since creation persons have viewed within that creation God’s eternal power and his divine nature. Cranfield (1992: 32). Robert H. Mounce reasons God is explained within this Chapter as being understandable to persons as powerful and existing beyond natural order. Mounce (1995: 78). The Bible of course does not deal with the philosophical term ‘omnipotence’ but implies in Romans 1 that God is almighty and beyond the visible physical realm.
SCHLEIERMACHER, FRIEDRICH (1799)(1961) On Religion, in Elie Kedourie, Nationalism, New York, Praeger University Series.
SCHLEIERMACHER, FRIEDRICH (1821)(1928)(1976) The Christian Faith, Edited by H.R. Mackintosh and J.S. Stewart, Philadelphia, Fortress Press. My MPhil and PhD theses topics are the problem of evil, and the problem of evil and theodicy have been discussed on my blogs.
Propaganda posters related to the problem of evil have generated some traffic for me and I present some more posters.
I am trying to learn and educate through history and my aim is not to offend.
From
http://www.oddee.com/item_66536.aspx
World War Two: United States
World War Two: Germany
From site:
'This poster makes a direct Christological comparison of Hitler. Just as a dove descended on Christ when he was baptised by John the Baptist, so what looks to be an eagle hovers against the light of heaven over an idealized Hitler.'
Christ obeyed the Father and his Kingdom was not of this world. John 18: 36.
Hilter sought to establish a Kingdom (Third Reich) in this fallen present realm.
Christ's Kingdom is within different realm with a new heaven and new earth. Revelation 21-22.
Hilter was no Christ.
From
http://abduzeedo.com/47-soviet-propaganda-posters
Giant Stalin, World War Two: The Soviet Union
[1] Grenz and Olson (1992: 40). Hoffecker (1996: 983).
[2] Hoffecker (1996: 981). Stephen Neill and Tom Wright explain that Schleiermacher’s influence upon theology was notable by the end of the eighteenth century. Neill and Wright (1964)(1988: 3).
[3] Hoffecker (1996: 981). Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson reason Schleiermacher is a pioneer in theology. Grenz and Olson (1992: 40). His influence on contemporary theology ‘can hardly be over estimated.’ Grenz and Olson (1992: 39).
[4] Traditional and Reformed.
[5] Calvin, John (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion.
[6] Mackintosh and Stewart (1821)(1928)(1976: v).
[7] As discussed and referenced from Schleiermacher’s text The Christian Faith. See also Selbie (1911)(2009: 68-70).
[8] Cross (1913)(2009: 1). Selbie (1911)(2009: 68-70).
[9] Cross (1913)(2009: 1). Selbie (1911)(2009: 68-70). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[10] This will be further discussed in Chapter Four, as Schleiermacher’s views have influenced John Hick.
[11] Cross (1913)(2009: 1). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[12] Cross (1913)(2009: 1). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[13] Cross (1913)(2009: 1).
[14] Cross (1913)(2009: 1).
[15] Cross (1913)(2009: 1).
[16] Cross (1913)(2009: 1).
[17] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212).
[18] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212).
[19] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212).
[20] Selbie (1911)(2009: 68). Within natural order every effect has been ordained by divine causality. Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212).
[21] Selbie (1911)(2009: 68). Persons understand omnipotence also based on a feeling of ‘absolute dependence’ on God. Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[22] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214). Selbie (1911)(2009: 68).
[23] Selbie (1911)(2009: 68). Selbie further explains that omnipotence for Schleiermacher is the ‘infinity of divine productivity.’ Selbie (1911)(2009: 70).
[24] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214).
[25] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214).
[26] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214). Selbie (1911)(2009: 68).
[27] Selbie (1911)(2009: 68).
[28] Selbie (1911)(2009: 68-69).
[29] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214).
[30] Hoffecker (1996: 982).
[31] Hoffecker (1996: 982). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[32] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[33] Hoffecker (1996: 982).
[34] Such as Erickson and Frame.
[35] Hoffecker (1996: 982). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[36] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[37] In particular a Reformed perspective.
[38] Including feelings. Hoffecker (1996: 982). Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[39] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 212-213).
[40] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 214-215).
[41] Romans, Chapter 1 indicates this idea and C.E.B. Cranfield explains that since creation persons have viewed within that creation God’s eternal power and his divine nature. Cranfield (1992: 32). Robert H. Mounce reasons God is explained within this Chapter as being understandable to persons as powerful and existing beyond natural order. Mounce (1995: 78). The Bible of course does not deal with the philosophical term ‘omnipotence’ but implies in Romans 1 that God is almighty and beyond the visible physical realm.
SCHLEIERMACHER, FRIEDRICH (1799)(1961) On Religion, in Elie Kedourie, Nationalism, New York, Praeger University Series.
SCHLEIERMACHER, FRIEDRICH (1821)(1928)(1976) The Christian Faith, Edited by H.R. Mackintosh and J.S. Stewart, Philadelphia, Fortress Press. My MPhil and PhD theses topics are the problem of evil, and the problem of evil and theodicy have been discussed on my blogs.
Propaganda posters related to the problem of evil have generated some traffic for me and I present some more posters.
I am trying to learn and educate through history and my aim is not to offend.
From
http://www.oddee.com/item_66536.aspx
World War Two: United States
World War Two: Germany
From site:
'This poster makes a direct Christological comparison of Hitler. Just as a dove descended on Christ when he was baptised by John the Baptist, so what looks to be an eagle hovers against the light of heaven over an idealized Hitler.'
Christ obeyed the Father and his Kingdom was not of this world. John 18: 36.
Hilter sought to establish a Kingdom (Third Reich) in this fallen present realm.
Christ's Kingdom is within different realm with a new heaven and new earth. Revelation 21-22.
Hilter was no Christ.
From
http://abduzeedo.com/47-soviet-propaganda-posters
Giant Stalin, World War Two: The Soviet Union
From
http://www.iisg.nl/landsberger/
Giant Mao, 1969: The People's Republic of China
Whoa! That article is drowning in footnotes.
ReplyDeleteBig Stalin should duke it out with Big Mao and Godzilla.
ReplyDeleteBig Mao reminds me of a corner-store owner from the '70s.
Chucky,
ReplyDeleteYes, well I apologize and it is a paste from a portion of PhD revisions.:)
Yes, the Communist dictators wanted to portray themselves as giants among men.
ReplyDeleteDid a Mao relative sell me hockey cards back in the 1970s when I was kid?;)
Those stores were handy.
Loved the posters, but I was so not ready for the first one!
ReplyDeleteYour revisions sound really interesting, especially Schleiermacher’s focus on feeling. I tend to also favor a doctrinal approach just because I personally know that a feelings or emotion based faith has many problems. Doctrine tends to be a more constant lifeline than emotions.
Do you know about Twitter in churches? There was an article in Time Magazine about churches now encouraging their congregation to twitter during the service and the comments appear on a projector. The thought blew me away.
Oh, and of course, Congratulations on your PhD.
ReplyDeleteHmm...would you say that Schleiermacher is the (or "a") father of the "Emergent" movement (or "Emerging" or "Emergence" or whatever subtle distinction these groups like to make)? I realize that these groups are "post-modern" in their thinking, but their heavy emphasis on "knowing" God without doctrinal formulations or boundaries sounds a lot like Schleiermacher's "God consciousness" that is only available through human experience.
ReplyDeleteI've not read any "emerging" authors reference Schleiermacher; but they seem to have a pretty strong connection in some areas.
I do believe that knowledge of God is relational, that it is the stuff of experience; doctrinal understanding does not necessarily mean knowledge of God. For knowledge of another individual to take place, a person must "own" or believe propositional statements (doctrines) that are made about the other person. And to "own" or "believe" statements results in acting upon (experience) the statements in some way or other.
But then again, we cannot "know" anyone without believing propositions about them. While I don't reduce a person to propositions, my knowledge of him/her is dependant upon propositions.
Anway, I'm beginning to ramble again. Thought-provoking as usual.
GGM
Hello Russ,
ReplyDeleteI was only 8 years old when i was born again so feelings by experience wasn't what moved me, it was hearing the Word of God taught to me.. I heard the Gospel and i was saved :)
But as i have grown in my Faith i will have to say that life experiences along with studying God's Word have helped in attaining a greater understanding when it comes to a relationship with an almighty God.
The pictures speak volumes. Many today still desire to establish a kingdom of some sort in this earth. God will be the one establishing a Kingdom in this earth at the return of Christ Jesus. Even some Christians with good intentions thinks that God's Kingdom can be established right now if we would only say this or do that or stand up or speak-up. It is nearly impossible to convince them that only when Christ reigns in this earth will His Kingdom come and His will be done permanently in the earth and among the people.
great post Russ :)
'Oh, and of course, Congratulations on your PhD.'
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ms. O.F.
'Loved the posters, but I was so not ready for the first one!'
Yes, I know...a bit of a shocker, but it was during the war and is still good advice.:)
'Your revisions sound really interesting, especially Schleiermacher’s focus on feeling. I tend to also favor a doctrinal approach just because I personally know that a feelings or emotion based faith has many problems. Doctrine tends to be a more constant lifeline than emotions.'
Good points.
'Do you know about Twitter in churches? There was an article in Time Magazine about churches now encouraging their congregation to twitter during the service and the comments appear on a projector. The thought blew me away.'
Well, I would hope that a congregation can concentrate more on a sermon and send the pastor messages after the service.
Russ:)
'I realize that these groups are "post-modern" in their thinking, but their heavy emphasis on "knowing" God without doctrinal formulations or boundaries sounds a lot like Schleiermacher's "God consciousness" that is only available through human experience.'
ReplyDeleteAn objectively understood God needs to be experienced.
For that we need Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
'I do believe that knowledge of God is relational, that it is the stuff of experience; doctrinal understanding does not necessarily mean knowledge of God.'
Yes, one must be born again (John 3). Then God can be known personally.
'While I don't reduce a person to propositions, my knowledge of him/her is dependant upon propositions.'
God communicates knowledge of self to the elect human spirit/mind which includes both intellect and emotion.
I therefore reason God can reach the human intellect, in part, through propositions.
Thanks, GGM.:)
'But as i have grown in my Faith i will have to say that life experiences along with studying God's Word have helped in attaining a greater understanding when it comes to a relationship with an almighty God.'
ReplyDeleteYes, God I reason does use experience in conjunction with Scripture and the Holy Spirit to guide his chosen.
'The pictures speak volumes. Many today still desire to establish a kingdom of some sort in this earth. God will be the one establishing a Kingdom in this earth at the return of Christ Jesus.'
Agreed.
Thanks, Tamela.:)
Of those 4 posters, the "She may look clean, but..." one was the most shocking to me.
ReplyDeleteYes, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteMany people find those propaganda posters interesting as well. They receive a fair amount of traffic on this blog.
Cheers.:)
I keep trying to post an article, but even when I tried posting only half the article, it keeps telling me:
ReplyDelete"Your HTML cannot be accepted: Must be at most 4,096 characters."
Hmm, interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeff.
Obama: U.S. 'one of largest Muslim countries'
ReplyDeletePresident makes inaccurate statement as White House stresses his Islamic roots
By Aaron Klein
2009 WorldNetDaily
The number of Muslims in the U.S. would make America "one of the largest Muslim countries in the world," claimed President Obama in an interview released last night.
His assertion, which is factually inaccurate, comes one day before he is set to deliver a much-anticipated address to the Muslim world from Cairo, Egypt.
Teasing the speech with the French television network Canal Plus, Obama commented.
"Now, the flip side is I think that the United States and the West generally, we have to educate ourselves more effectively on Islam. And one of the points I want to make is, is that if you actually took the number of Muslims Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world. And so there's got to be a better dialogue and a better understanding between the two peoples."
He continued that his Muslim outreach aims to establish "better dialogue" so the Muslim world understands more effectively "how the U.S. but also how the West thinks about many of these difficult issues like terrorism, like democracy, to discuss the framework for what's happened in Iraq and Afghanistan and our outreach to Iran, and also how we view the prospects for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians."
As the Weekly Standard points out, Obama's claim American Muslims could make the U.S. one of the largest Islamic countries is not demographically true. The most generous estimates put America's Muslim population at about 8 million, which would barely place the U.S. in the top 42 Muslim countries.
The Standard's Michael Goldfarb comments, "Obama is undertaking a very significant reorientation of American foreign policy, and one hopes that he isn't doing so on the very mistaken belief that the U.S. is one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.
"Actually, if you look at the number of Jewish Americans, we'd be the largest Jewish country in the world after Israel. And America is the largest Christian country in the world. This context might be useful to the president as he tries to help the Muslim world better understand the United States," Goldfarb writes.
Meanwhile, ABC News' Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller report the White House's new approach of stressing Obama's Islamic roots as part of the president's outreach to the Muslim world. The move is in contrast to Obama's stance during the presidential campaign, during which the mere mention of his middle name – Hussein – was strongly condemned as fear-mongering by Obama's spokesmen.
During a conference call in preparation for the president's Muslim address tomorrow, deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications Denis McDonough said "the President himself experienced Islam on three continents before he was able to – or before he's been able to visit, really, the heart of the Islamic world – you know, growing up in Indonesia, having a Muslim father – obviously Muslim Americans (are) a key part of Illinois and Chicago."
Obama was 'quite religious in Islam'
Obama's faith was a central part of his presidential campaign. He has repeatedly denied he is a Muslim. His presidential campaign website contained the statement, "Senator Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised as a Muslim, and is a committed Christian."
But as WND reported, public records in Indonesia listed Obama as a Muslim during his early years, and a number of childhood friends claimed to the media Obama was once a mosque-attending Muslim.
Obama's campaign wavered several times in response to reporters' queries regarding the senator's childhood faith.
Commenting on a Los Angeles Times report quoting a childhood friend stating Obama prayed in a mosque, Obama's campaign released a statement explaining the senator "has never been a practicing Muslim."
End of part 1
Widely distributed reports have noted that in January 1968 Obama was registered as a Muslim at Jakarta's Roman Catholic Franciscus Assisi Primary School under the name Barry Soetoro. He was listed as an Indonesian citizen whose stepfather, listed on school documents as "L Soetoro Ma," worked for the topography department of the Indonesian Army.
ReplyDeleteCatholic schools in Indonesia routinely accept non-Catholic students but exempt them from studying religion.
After attending the Assisi Primary School, Obama was enrolled "also as a Muslim, according to documents" in the Besuki Primary School, a public school in Jakarta.
Laotze blog, run by an American expatriate in Southeast Asia who visited the Besuki school, noted, "All Indonesian students are required to study religion at school, and a young 'Barry Soetoro,' being a Muslim, would have been required to study Islam daily in school. He would have been taught to read and write Arabic, to recite his prayers properly, to read and recite from the Quran and to study the laws of Islam."
Indeed, in Obama's autobiography, "Dreams From My Father," he acknowledged studying the Quran and describes the public school as "a Muslim school."
"In the Muslim school, the teacher wrote to tell mother I made faces during Quranic studies," wrote Obama.
The Indonesian media have been flooded with accounts of Obama's childhood Islamic studies, some describing him as a religious Muslim.
Speaking to the country's Kaltim Post, Tine Hahiyary, who was principal of Obama's school while he was enrolled there, said she recalls he studied the Quran in Arabic.
"At that time, I was not Barry's teacher, but he is still in my memory," claimed Tine, who is 80 years old.
The Kaltim Post said Obama's teacher, named Hendri, had died.
"I remember that he studied mengaji (recitation of the Quran)," Tine said, according to an English translation by Loatze.
End of part 2
Mengaji, or the act of reading the Quran with its correct Arabic punctuation, is usually taught to more religious pupils and is not known as a secular study.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Loatze documented the Indonesian daily Banjarmasin Post interviewed Rony Amir, an Obama classmate and Muslim, who described Obama as "previously quite religious in Islam."
"We previously often asked him to the prayer room close to the house," Amir said. "If he was wearing a sarong (waist fabric worn for religious or casual occasions) he looked funny."
The Los Angeles Times, which sent a reporter to Jakarta, quoted Zulfin Adi, who identified himself as among Obama's closest childhood friends, stating the presidential candidate prayed in a mosque, something Obama's campaign claimed he never did.
"We prayed, but not really seriously, just following actions done by older people in the mosque," said Adi. "But as kids, we loved to meet our friends and went to the mosque together and played."
Friday prayers
Obama's official campaign site contained a page titled "Obama has never been a Muslim, and is a committed Christian." The page stated, "Obama never prayed in a mosque. He has never been a Muslim, was not raised a Muslim, and is a committed Christian who attends the United Church of Christ."
But the campaign changed its tune when it issued a "practicing Muslim" clarification to the Los Angeles Times.
An article in March by the Chicago Tribune apparently disputed Adi's statements to the L.A. paper. The Tribune caught up with Obama's declared childhood friend, who now describes himself as only knowing Obama for a few months in 1970 when his family moved to the neighborhood. Adi said he was unsure about his recollections of Obama.
But the Tribune found Obama did attend mosque.
"Interviews with dozens of former classmates, teachers, neighbors and friends show that Obama was not a regular practicing Muslim when he was in Indonesia," states the Tribune article.
It quotes Obama's former neighbors and third-grade teacher recalling how the young Obama "occasionally followed his stepfather to the mosque for Friday prayers."
Daniel Pipes, director of the Middle East Forum, notes the Tribune article "cited by liberal blogs as refuting claims Obama is Muslim" actually implies Obama was an irregularly practicing Muslim and twice confirms Obama attended mosque services.
In an interview with the New York Times, Obama described the Muslim call to prayer as "one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset."
The Times' Nicholos Kristof wrote Obama recited, "with a first-class [Arabic] accent," the opening lines of the Muslim call to prayer.
The first few lines of the call to prayer state:
Allah is Supreme!
Allah is Supreme!
Allah is Supreme! Allah is Supreme!
I witness that there is no god but Allah
I witness that there is no god but Allah
I witness that Muhammad is his prophet...
Some attention also has been paid to Obama's paternal side of the family, including his father and his brother, Roy.
Writing in a chapter of his book describing his 1992 wedding, Obama stated: "The person who made me proudest of all was Roy. Actually, now we call him Abongo, his Luo name, for two years ago he decided to reassert his African heritage. He converted to Islam and has sworn off pork and tobacco and alcohol."
Still, Obama maintains he was raised by his Christian mother and repeatedly has labeled as "smears" several reports attempting to paint him as a Muslim.
"Let's make clear what the facts are: I am a Christian. I have been sworn in with a Bible. I pledge allegiance [to the American flag] and lead the Pledge of Allegiance sometimes in the United States Senate when I'm presiding," he told the Times of London.
End of part 3
Thanks, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteThe same error message came up for me and so I posted for you in three parts.
Finally someone has posted a comment too long for Blogger.:)
Thanks, Russ, for posting that long article for me. As I mentioned to you, I tried posting it in 2 parts, and it still didn't work.
ReplyDelete"Your HTML cannot be accepted: Must be at most 4,096 characters."
ReplyDeleteJeff Jenkins: The man that came closest to breaking Blogger.
Imagine if all persons were like Jeff...Blogger would cease to exist.;)
Thanks, Jeff...always helpful, always appreciated.
As I told someone that emailed me on what Jeff stated, I reason Obama is a pragmatist and a liberal.
ReplyDeleteI do not have a strong opinion on Obama's religion, or exhaustive evidence concerning the issue (or the time to research it).
Thanks to all who are reading and commenting.
Beddy-bye for me, I have been working on Mill and omnipotence.
This is a joke (but not meant to be).
ReplyDeleteToronto Legacy
This bandwagon should be tipped over......
I was laughing about this all day. The on-line reviews are mostly negative and sometimes funny.
30, 000 seat arena...yea I want a nosebleed seat.
Amateur hour.
So much to do with the NHL now is a joke.
But some of the hockey is good.
Its nice to see the balance of studying the Word and life experiences that you mention which have complimented your faith, Russ.
ReplyDelete-Friend in Faith-
Cheers.
ReplyDeleteThe academic system has had a way of giving me extra work that I can relate to my life experiences.:)
Funny images:
ReplyDeleteThe first one is dedicated to Jeff and Bobby Buff:
Clinton
This is for Jeff and Chucky:
Mad
Dedicated to Bobby Buff and Jeff:
Star is Born Wars
To Chuck, Bobby and Jeff:
Star Trek Obama
Those are funny. I especially like the Mad magazine cover. The Clinton one is good too. The Star Trek one should have Obama with Vulcan ears, to make him look like Tuvok from Star Trek: Voyager.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there should be one of Obama fighting Chuck Norris. Or fighting Superman. After all, Obama said he's from Krypton.
Thank you, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteHere you go:
The Battle
'Contrary to popular thought, Barack Obama's teeth are not comprised of carbon or calcium, but a brand new element yet to be added to the periodic table: Hopeium.'
'Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.'
Why doesn't William Shatner run for president?
ReplyDeleteWARNING: R-rated language
ReplyDeleteObama lowers expectations for America after visiting a Denny's
He is a bit on the old side, but he would certainly add drama to the office.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Take the helm, Number Two.
Yikes, that is bad language.
ReplyDeleteObama should team up with the NHL and Maple Laughs and use federal funds to make sure the Coyotes stay in Phoenix and continue to lose millions yearly instead of making money in Hamilton.
It looks bad for the League in the court case...;)
Professor Russ,
ReplyDeleteFrom "The Battle" link you provided, I also liked these:
There is no 'Ctrl' button on Chuck Norris's computer. Chuck Norris is always in control.
Apple pays Chuck Norris 99 cents every time he listens to a song.
Chuck Norris can sneeze with his eyes open.
I was cracking up listening to the video from Chucky's "Denny's" link, although, yes, the language is very bad.
Gordon Ramsay is clearly not a Christian.
ReplyDeleteOff-topic, but then, what's new?:
ReplyDeletePre-Tribulation: Listen Online Now
Washington Times article: America's First Muslim President?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteFor other recent funnies please check out the bottom of the main article below with the cowboy video and the link concerning Gordon Ramsay.
satire and theology
Is Schlelermacher saying that we are conscious of God in all our human experiences?
ReplyDelete-Curious George-
That appears to be the case. Cheers.:)
ReplyDeleteGod-consciousness[10] is connected with every human experience[11] and this is a demand upon human nature.[12] and this means every ‘world-impression’ must be able to connect with religious feeling.[13] God-consciousness is not only a contingent aspect of human experience,[14] as this would not allow God omnipotence to be an obtained expression in this world.[15]