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Here's the transcript of Obama's wide-ranging and peace-seeking speech in Cairo about tensions in the world. The Obama theme is clear: yes, we disagree on many important items; but let us build a better future on the basis of our common interests and our commitment to peace. Let us stand on our agreements without ignoring our differences.
Scot McKnight is a widely-recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University (Chicago, Illinois). A popular and witty speaker, Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radios across the nation, has appeared on television, and is regularly asked to speak in local churches and educational events. Dr. McKnight obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham (1986). Click to continue reading Scot McKnight's Bio...
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@ Mic,
Please help me understand your assertion that "this current sitting US President has never been that proud of his own country in ANY of the speeches he has made in his lifetime."
in light of one of Obama's statements from this very speech:
"The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known."
The full context reads:
"America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words - within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum: "Out of many, one."
"Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores - that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average."
To state that your country is one of the greatest sources of progress the world has ever known sounds like a statement of national pride to me. To state that his own personal story, which on many occassions in other places has stated "would not be possible in any other country on earth," is just one example of the promise of opportunity that exists for all who come to our shores sounds like a strong and proud endorsement of our country.
What am I missing?
Scott (17)
Thanks for the response. While I understand your wanting to quickly dispense with my statements (and my credibility) by assuming my facts were from 'talk radio' I must confess that my information comes from my years of education (despite my experience in public school!) . . . in other words, these thoughts ran through my mind when I initially heard the speech, not because I listened to like critiques. I have since gathered other responses which are similar, but these facts are not regurgitated.
I don't exactly know how to respond here - in an epistemological war - but your ability to cite specific names isn't as dismissive of my facts as you make them appear. Algebra has its origins in Babylon. Where do I verify this? The dictionary. The encyclopedia. Even Wikipedia gets this one (though I shudder to appeal to its credibility). The fact that somebody was an 'influential mathematician' and that the word is Arabic doesn't dismantle my point.
Bentley (18)
Thanks for your response. And thank you for finally providing an example of the President speaking something positive of his own country. My remaining difficulty is that this comes on his apologizing tour for the atrocities of his country. While these made for good opening remarks, later he is apologizing for our reaction to 9/11 . . . claiming that it was fear and anger which provoked us to act in ways contrary to our tradition and ideals. We should have no need to defend our actions against terrorists, nor should we spend time 'reaching out' to them.
Another quote: "Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail." My comment previous (13) speaks of American Exceptionalism, and this statement undercuts it. Many people want to believe that an 'all-equal-outcome' across the world is the biblical ideal, but it does not work that way in reality. True freedom is more than a singular theological or political concept. It is the complete and total liberation of spirits once held captive to great powers, oppression and depravity. And this cannot guarantee equal outcomes, lest we strip away the drive of the human spirit. The President's remarks are built on the assumption that our country has violated other nations in its journey.
What you might be missing out of my perspective is that it doesn't appear as though this President can place comments in a fuller context which is not a criticism of his own country. And he is becoming unique in the fact that he increasingly apologizes and criticizes his nation while in the company of those who dislike us (cf also Chavez).
And, it appears from this morning's newsfeeds that his speech is already being dismissed by many of those to whom it was intended to reach. Why aren't his words healing?
mic #13 complains that Obama's speech "spits in the face of American Exceptionalism"
I have not yet heard the speech, but if Obama did "spit in the face of American Exceptionalism" he should be applauded by Christians for spitting into the face of an idol, and one of the most pernicious idols that infects the American church. The only exceptional nation from a Biblical standpoint is the "new Israel" (of every tongue, tribe, and nation) formed around Jesus.
[my final comment on this, so say what you will]
I was wondering when the misunderstanding of American Exceptionalism would surface. Simply defined, this concept is the recognition of the achievements of this country in comparison to the rest of world history. It is not a belief that our country is divinely appointed to be of special place above all of the other nations. Rather it is the recognition of thanksgiving directed to God for the divine blessings of liberty which have been secured through our Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
It is built on the concept that ANY people can achieve great things when they are free to live as God intended. Or is it coincidence that we have accomplished more in the past 233 years than the entire course of human history in the previous 5000. This is not because America is great, but that it is blessed for constructing a government built on the divine gift of liberty. So, I'm not sure why you would be happy at the demise of this by the President.
Norm (#14), you got your wish! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8149320.stm) Obama lost his teleprompter and had to keep talking! Woohoo. Unfortunately for you, though, he didn't freeze up and admit to being the Antichrist. Oh well, maybe next time . . . :P
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