於2010-10-03發佈
上週美國新聞有一篇文章談到有越來越多的美國人懷疑歐巴馬是基督徒,他們反而相信他是穆斯林,連電視新聞都談到此。大部分媒體似乎想把歐巴馬塑造成一位基督徒,但就如莎士比亞所言:『防衛過度了』。媒體與白宮的欲蓋彌彰反而使更多人相信歐巴馬其實是穆斯林。

人們常問我歐巴馬總統的信仰,這儼然成為美國的議題,因此我會給予一些個人意見。雖然這並不是很單純的事情,卻很重要,我考量到每週一話的形式是否適合探討諸如此類的事,而我自己也沒有太過關切這事。然而,因著越來越多人要求我談到他的信仰,在此我會談到一些,也承認自己的觀點仍很膚淺。  

當我讀到歐巴馬的書,我推斷他曾是一位表面的基督徒,也願意相信他曾是一位誠實人。然而,自從他告訴美國人許多無可非議與明目張膽的謊言後,我對他的評價大大改觀。舉例來說,他說:『健保法案沒有任何一項特殊用途,結果法案中卻有八千項特殊用途。請參考下面的連結:

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/news/2009/01/06/4424240-
obama-vows-no-earmarks-on-stimulus 

我若是現在才讀他的書,我的看法可能會有所不同,對他的信仰也會有不同的推論。要知道一人的心並不容易,所以我不會嘗試對此妄下評論。然而,聖經告訴我們可以、也應該以人們的果子來評論。何為歐巴馬總統真實信仰所展現的屬靈果子?      

在閱讀歐巴馬總統的書時,我確實感受到他有一些信念與聖經清楚的基本教導衝突,我也覺得他充滿信心堅持相信的事物是出於個人或他人推論,或是政治信念,並不是以聖經為根基。此為欺騙開啟了危險的門,幾乎每一個異端都是驕傲的人將神只顯明部分的事情,試圖帶出邏輯性結論的結果。     

若是連道成肉身的耶穌受到挑戰時,都站立在『經上記著話』,當我們在任何充滿質問的立場時,豈不更需要這樣做嗎?真誠的基督徒會致力於找出神對事情的看法,而不是嘗試自行推論出來。如此推論這些終極議題可能會成為驕傲的一種終極形式,特別是與聖經衝突的事情。驕傲/狂心真的在跌倒之前,而蒙蔽就是一種跌倒。     

可悲的是,調查顯示大部分基督徒皆擁有很混淆的世界觀,多半由人類哲學、媒體,甚至個人經歷的偏見所形成,而非尋求神在聖經上所顯明的觀點。然而,歐巴馬對耶穌贖罪的瞭解似乎很健全與真誠,儘管還很膚淺─就像大部分宣稱是基督徒的人。 

歐巴馬擁抱瞭解不多的解放神學超過二十年之久,其有著種族主意與伊斯蘭的影響。我覺得歐巴馬至少免於種族主義,這並不是說他完全脫離種族主義,但我確實感到他反對解放神學裡的種族主義傾向,卻未必反對伊斯蘭的影響。    

再一次,這是我的個人意見,而且是基於對解放神學與歐巴馬很表面的知識。我們『看見的有限』『所知道的也有限』(參考哥林多前書139所以我嘗試對自己所相信的事物敞開並且輕鬆以對。 

我仍相信歐巴馬真的想要認識神、認識真理,但在他生命中有很怪異的屬靈與狂熱的政治影響,顯然他是這些影響下的產物。當我在為他禱告時,我總感覺到他的心為許多衝突的議題交戰,所以我禱告聖靈帶領他進入全然的真理,特別是對耶穌的真理。伊斯蘭教所教導的耶穌絕不是我們所事奉的耶穌,而且是耶穌的扭曲版本。然而,基督教的運動與教派也常把神化身為他們的形象,而不是尋求認識祂的本質。     

我們的經歷與我們所來往的人確實會雕塑我們的信念,歐巴馬在一些極端宗教影響下,我並不覺得他像大家所認為的深受影響。我也考慮到假如我是非洲人,像歐巴馬牧師賴特(Jeremiah Wright)一樣冒出來,受到和其他非裔美國人一樣的羞辱,特別是他世代的人,我可能會比他更種族主義,甚至比他更反美國人。     

我也誠摯相信『若非神的恩典,誰能倖存』絕不是陳腔濫調。我絕不隨便來評論一個人的信仰,但聖經吩咐我們要評斷在教會中的人,倘若歐巴馬宣稱是基督徒,我們需要按著聖經標準來評斷他,就是藉由他的果子。    

有許多我很尊敬的基督徒朋友,他們從一開始就確認歐巴馬是穆斯林與欺騙者,想要做傷害美國的事情。我認識一些在歐洲與中東的政治領袖,或是這些領袖的親近朋友,他們完全相信歐巴馬是一位穆斯林。其中一些人相信此是基於他們的理智分析,而非宗教分析。當我提出抗議,因為歐巴馬養一隻狗並在白宮烤肉,虔誠的穆斯林不會做這些事,他們提出在可蘭經中允許穆斯林違反伊斯蘭法規,好欺騙他們的敵人直到佔優勢為止。他們堅決相信我們的總統是一位穆斯林,而伊斯蘭教認為美國與美國人最容易被騙、滲透,最後被接管。      

我仍沒有完全被說服歐巴馬是穆斯林,但證據確實很充分。倘若百分之二十的美國人相信他一定是穆斯林,我認為可能有百分之三十到四十的人像我一樣的人處在相信邊緣。        

正如哥林多前書十三章告訴我們的,我們看見部份、預言部份,知道部份,所以也傾向相信『部分』。目前我大約百分之五十五相信歐巴馬是基督徒,百分之四十五相信他可能是穆斯林。我剛開始有百分之九十五相信他是基督徒,所以我完全瞭解為何如此多人開始相信他是穆斯林,我認為百分比可能很快會提高。       

不管透過任何方式思考,有一個事實是很清楚的,要作為歐巴馬行政團隊客觀觀察者,我們不能根據他所說的,我們必須以他真正所做的來觀察,就是藉由他的果子來評斷他。就連很一般的觀察者都看出歐巴馬展現出對基督徒與猶太人極大的敵意,卻展現出對伊斯蘭教與穆斯林的親和力。下面就是在網路廣泛流傳的例子,諸如此類的事使越來越多人信服歐巴馬是穆斯林(我以較緩和的語氣重新編輯):   

1952年,楚門總統建立一年一次的國家祈禱日。
1988年,雷根總統將每年五月的第一個星期四作為國家祈禱日。
2007年,總統候選人歐巴馬宣告美國不再是基督化國家。
2010年,歐巴馬總統在『不想冒犯任何人』的計謀下,取消白宮第二十一屆的國家祈禱日。
2009年九月25日清晨四點到晚上七點,在白宮旁邊的國會大廈舉行穆斯林的國家祈禱日。今年歐巴馬總統在白宮舉行齋戒月慶典,廣泛流傳著他脫下鞋子與穆斯林一起向阿拉禱告的照片。
我猜不管是不是『基督徒』,都會被這件事冒犯,顯然我們沒有被當作『任何人』。
美國所朝向的方向應該會讓每一位基督徒感到恐懼,特別認識穆斯林都相信,若基督徒沒有改教就會被消滅。            

網站來源: http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com   

在評斷歐巴馬的信仰時,許多人只使用基本的推理:『倘若看起來像鴨子,走路像鴨子,叫聲像鴨子─就是一隻鴨子!』難怪歐巴馬表現得更像穆斯林,做許多事來提升伊斯蘭教,卻對基督徒與基督教表現出敵意或蔑視。歐巴馬行為的果子顯示出他確實是穆斯林的有力證據,最起碼他更貼近伊斯蘭教過於基督教。 

那麼我為何沒有被說服他是穆斯林呢?我真的有可能相信他是穆斯林,若沒有這件事─我為此詢問主,並感到主向我顯示別的事情─在他心靈深處他渴望認識真正的耶穌,正如許多穆斯林所渴望的。他很難在他的族群中找到耶穌;他的過去有著不良的影響來塑造他的生命,他的現在則有不好的謀士;我禱告主興起約瑟或但以理來幫助他。         

即便如此,毫無疑問地當我們有一位被不良影響所塑造生命的總統,確實讓我們國家處在非常不樂觀的景況中。倘若歐巴馬是穆斯林,可能意味著一些損害美國核心力量的事情有可能是故意的,並不是出於無知。那是最高層級的背叛,我目前還不這麼認為;就像酒醉駕駛無意傷害任何人,但他們仍造成了傷害,我們國家的核心力量正在被摧毀。所以我的建議為何?我們應該做的第一件事永遠是─禱告,正如我們在歷代志下七章14節所讀到的: 

這稱為我名下的子民,若是自卑、禱告,尋求我的面,轉離他們的惡行,我必從天上垂聽,赦免他們的罪,醫治他們的地。
        

在聖經中,邪惡或不成熟的領袖是從神來的審判,至少我們現在有不成熟的領導階層。我們必須回轉向主超越一切事物,謙卑自己、尋求祂的面。成熟有智慧的領袖是從神來的恩寵,我們需要神的恩寵回到我們的土地上。最大的勝利莫過於歐巴馬蒙光照並轉變,這可以使他成為最偉大的總統之一。最重要的事就是禱告聖靈─真理的靈在我們的土地上運行。  

(摘自 喬納 word for the week, Week 36, 2010) 

Prepared for the Times, Part 36
Week 36, 2010

Last week there was an article on AOL News about how an increasing number of Americans doubted that President Obama is a Christian, but rather believe that he is a Muslim. This has also been picked up by television news. Much of the media seems intent on establishing Obama as a Christian, but in the words of Shakespeare, I think he “doth protest too much.” The way the media and the White House are covering this, it is likely far more people are being persuaded that Obama is indeed a Muslim. 
 
Because I am often asked what I believe about President Obama’s faith, and this is becoming a rising issue in America, I will give my opinion. This is not a simple matter; rather it is serious, and I am concerned about addressing anything of this nature in a format such as the Word for the Week requires. Also, I have not given this as much attention as it deserves by those more qualified than me. However, because of the increasing number of requests to address his faith, I will do so admitting that my perspective is also a superficial one.
 
When I read both of Obama’s books, I concluded that he was a Christian but a superficial one and gave him the benefit of the doubt that he was an honest person. However, my opinion of him has changed greatly since then with the number of unquestionable and blatant lies that he has told to the American people. For example, he said, “There is not one single earmark in this bill” when there were more than eight thousand earmarks in that bill. See the following link: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2009/01/06/4424240-obama-vows-no-earmarks-on-stimulus
 
If I read his books now, I would probably see them differently and may come to a different conclusion about his faith. It is very hard to know what is in another person’s heart, so I do not try to judge that. However, we are told that we can, and should, judge people by their fruit. What is the spiritual fruit of President Obama that would reveal what his faith truly is?
 
While reading Obama’s books, I did feel that he had some beliefs that were in conflict with the clear, basic teachings of Scripture. I also felt that much of what he was confidently asserting to be true was based more on his own reasoning, or those of others, or on political persuasions rather than on Scripture. That is a dangerous opening for deception. Almost every heresy is the result of prideful people trying to carry to a logical conclusion that which God has only revealed in part. 
 
If Jesus, who was the Word personified, would take His stand on, “It is written” when challenged, how much more do we need to do this for any challenging position? A sincere Christian will be devoted to finding God’s opinion on matters, not just trying to reason them out. Such reasoning about ultimate issues, especially when they conflict with Scripture, can be an ultimate form of pride. Pride does come before a fall, and deception is a fall. 
 
Tragically, studies show that most Christians also have such a confused worldview that is shaped more by human philosophies, the media, even prejudices or their own experiences, rather than having sought out God’s perspective which is revealed in His written Word. However, Obama’s understanding of the atonement of Jesus seemed sound and sincere, even if superficial—again like most who claim to be Christians. 
 
Having a little knowledge of the Liberation Theology that Obama had sat under for more than twenty years, which has both racist and Islamic influences, I felt that Obama was at least remarkably free of racism. This is not to say that I think he is totally free of racism, which may not be true of anyone. I did feel he had resisted the racist tendencies in Liberation Theology, but not necessarily the Islamic influences. 
 
Again, that was my opinion, and it is based on a very superficial knowledge of Liberation Theology and of Obama. We “see in part,” and “know in part” (see I Corinthians 13:9) so I have tried to remain open about my beliefs and determined to hold them lightly. 
 
I still believe that Obama really would like to know God and the truth. For all of the strange spiritual and radical political influences he’s had in his life, he is an obvious product of them. When I pray for him, I always feel that he is in a struggle in his own heart with many conflicting issues, so I pray for the Holy Spirit to lead him into all truth, especially to Jesus. The Jesus taught in Islam is definitely not the Jesus we serve and could hardly be a more distorted version of Him. However, Christian movements and denominations can and often do try to make God in their image rather than seeking to know Him as He is too. 
 
Our experiences and the people we associate with do shape our beliefs, and from some of the extreme religious influences Obama has sat under, I did not feel that he was nearly as affected as you might think. I also consider that if I had been an African-American man that came up in the times that Jeremiah Wright did, and had been subjected to the same kind of humiliations that African-Americans were, especially those of his generation, I might be far more racist and maybe even anti-American than he is. This is not to justify racism and bitterness in any form, but we are all dealing with issues and are seeking to have our minds renewed.
 
I also sincerely believe that it is more than a cliché that “Except for the grace of God, there go I.” I certainly do not want to take such issues as judging another’s faith lightly, but the Scriptures command us to judge those who are in the church, and if Obama is claiming to be a Christian, we need to judge this by biblical standards, which is by his fruit. 
 
I have many Christian friends who I have a great deal of respect for who have been sure from the beginning that Obama is a Muslim and a deceiver intent on doing America great harm. I know political leaders, or close friends of leaders, in Europe and the Middle East, who are absolutely convinced that Obama is a Muslim. Some of these are basing this belief on their intelligence analysis, not a religious analysis. When I protested that Obama had a dog, and had barbeques at the White House, things that no devout Muslim would do, they brought up the teachings in the Koran that allow for any Muslim to break the laws of Islam in order to deceive their enemies until they have gained an advantage over them. They were resolute that our President was indeed a Muslim and that Islam considered America and Americans the most easy of all prey to deceive, infiltrate, and ultimately to take over.    
 
I still am not totally persuaded that Obama is a Muslim, but there is no question that the evidence seems to indicate this is very strong. If 20 percent of Americans believe he is definitely a Muslim, then I would think that there may be as many as 30 to 40 percent more who are tottering on believing this like I am.  
 
As we are told in I Corinthians 13, we see in part, prophesy in part, and even know in part, so we also tend to believe “in part.” Presently, I am about 55 percent persuaded that Obama is a Christian and 45 percent that he is possibly a Muslim, and at times I have been more persuaded that he is a Muslim. This ratio began for me believing that he was a Christian at about 95 percent, so I fully understand why so many are beginning to believe he is a Muslim, and I think it’s possible that soon the percentage will be rising.  
  
One fact that should be very clear to any thinking, unbiased observer is that from the beginning of Obama’s Administration, we cannot trust what he says, but we have to observe what he actually does, which is to judge him by his fruit. Even a casual observer would see that Obama has demonstrated a great deal of hostility toward Christians and Jews and has demonstrated a basic affinity for Islam and Muslims. The following is an example of what is being widely distributed on the Internet, which is the kind of thing that is persuading more and more people Obama is a Muslim (I edited this slightly to tone it down just a bit):
 
In 1952, President Truman established one day a year as a National Day of Prayer.
In 1988, President Reagan designated the first Thursday in May of each year as the National Day of Prayer.
In June 2007, (then) Presidential Candidate Barack Obama declared that the USA was no longer a Christian nation.
This year President Obama canceled the twenty-first annual National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House under the ruse of “not wanting to offend anyone.”
On September 25, 2009 from 4 a.m. until 7 p.m., a National Day of Prayer for the Muslim religion was Held on Capitol Hill beside the White House.
This year President Obama held a Ramadan celebration at the White House, and pictures have widely been circulated with him taking off his shoes to pray with Muslims to Allah.
I guess it doesn't matter if “Christians” are offended by this event as we obviously don’t count as “anyone” anymore.
The direction AMERICA is headed should strike fear in the heart of every Christian, especially knowing that the Muslim religion believes that if Christians cannot be converted, they should be annihilated.
 
Websites noted are: http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com
 
In judging Obama’s faith, many are simply using the basic reasoning that “if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck—it’s a duck!” No doubt President Obama is acting more like a Muslim, and doing far more to promote Islam, while at the same time demonstrating disdain or hostility toward Christians and Christianity. The fruit of his actions bears strong evidence that Obama is indeed a Muslim, or at the very least has far more affinity for Islam than Christianity. 
 
So why am I not persuaded that he’s a Muslim? I would believe this except for one thing—I inquired of the Lord about this and feel that I have been shown something else—that deep in his heart he wants to know the real Jesus, just as many Muslims do. He has had a hard time finding Jesus in His people. He has had bad influences to shape his life and bad counselors now. I’m praying for the Lord to raise up a Joseph or Daniel to help him.
 
Even so, presently we are no doubt in a very grave situation in our nation with a President who has, at the very least, shaped by some bad influences. If Obama is a Muslim, this could mean that the things being done that are eroding the core strength of America could be intentional, not just done out of ignorance. That would make it treason of the highest order. I’m not there yet. Even so, drunk drivers may not have wanted to hurt anyone, but they hurt nonetheless, and the core strength of our nation is being devastated right now. So what do I recommend? The first thing we should always do—pray. As we read in II Chronicles 7:14:
 
If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (NKJV). 
         
Wicked and/or immature leaders are a judgment from God in Scripture. At the very least we have immature leadership. Above anything else, we must return to the Lord, humbling ourselves and seeking His face. Wise, mature leaders are favor from God, and we need to have His favor return to our land. The greatest victory of all could be Obama’s illumination and conversion, which could lead to him becoming one of our great Presidents. Above all, pray for the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to move upon our land.