The Supposed Fraudulence of Liberal Christianity
Monday August 4, 2008
Categories: Election '08
Former Senator Rick Santorum described Obama's faith as "phony" and went on to challenge the authenticity of liberal Christianity in general: "When you take a salvation story and turn it into a liberation story you've abandoned Christiandom and I don't...
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About Progressive Revival
Diana Butler Bass and Paul Raushenbush both stand firmly within the Mainline Protestant tradition and, along with guest bloggers of all religious backgrounds are dedicated to the revival of religious progressivism and its influence in American politics.
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Diana Butler BassDiana Butler Bass is a commentator and scholar in American religion. She is the author of seven books including A People's History of Christianity: The Other Side of the Story (HarperOne, 2009).
» Posts by Diana Butler Bass
Paul RaushenbushModerator of the Progressive Revival blog and the Associate Dean of Religious Life at Princeton University.
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From Matthew 11, " When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’
Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’"
Apparently Santorum has yet to actually READ the New Testament. It is all about liberation. And Jesus said, whoever gives efen a cup of water to these little ones in th name of a disciple - truly I tell you, none of them will lose their reward". (Mt 10:42) Santorum needs to go give some kids cups of cool water, and then come back to argue theology. The only thing this statement did (other than highlight the mna;s hypocracy and ignorance) is to keep his name in the news - which was surely his only real goal.
Senator Sanitorium needs to clean up his own ethical pig sty. He needs to explain the sweetheart deal he got on a mortgage. He needs to explain to the taxpayers of his state why his children, who were living in Virginia, had their education paid for by their former Pennsylvania school district.
Once he takes the log from his own eye, maybe then he will be able to critique the specks in others'.
I see the Reverend Wrights of the world as charlatans who do very well for themselves by advocating and agitating for the poor. But Reverend Wright's apparent hypocrisy by no means justifies Santorum's position that Obama "took a salvation story into a liberation story." Everything I've seen suggests Obama had no personal experience of Christ and found one, even if it was at Trinity UCC. Senator Santorum boldly criticizes the action of Christ in Senator Obama's life--just who put Santorum in charge of deciding who is saved?
Anyone who has followed American politics over the last ten years knows exactly what Rick Santorum is. This man has shown no concern with making the world a better place, places no premium on compassion in public affairs, and has been an enemy of intelligent inquiry in all its forms. This does not mean he is not a Christian - I am in no better place to judge him than he is to judge me - but it does place his credibility in spiritual matters in serious doubt.
Yeah, everyone knows Christianity isn't about liberation; it's about making money!
Rick Santorum is one of the legions who cry "Lord! Lord!" in vain. I doubt that Jesus would recognize anything of value in his loud religiosity.
Rick Santorum's Sanctimonious statement shows why the Far Right has no clue as what it means to be a true disciple of Christ. Being in Christ means that I am "Free" to do good works for the Love that Christ places in me.
Obviously, he is not a candidate for the Matthew 25.net. If fact, he watch carefully as the America grows a cleansing heart and starts thinking of the real reason for helping others, that is to show others the Christ that is in us.
Paul, wholly for Christ.
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