Obama: Heretic

Ross Douthat alerted me to the debate going on in some circles over whether Obama is a Christian. The basis of this debate is an in-depth interview he gave in 2004 during his Senate run - posted here on Beliefnet. Now, I can't read hearts - and I take Obama at his word when he says he's a Christian ... furthermore, there shouldn't be a religious test for public office. That said, Obama seems to be a little light on his theology: he doesn't seem to (1) recognize the divinity of Christ ... Jesus is just a good, historical, teacher; (2) understand sin ... it's not an affront to God but just being "out of alignment with [Obama's] values", and (3) believe in an afterlife ... if there is one, it can be earned.

I've thought for some time that Obama - as a kid with a mixed identity (see Dreams of My Father), who looked black, and admired the civil rights movement - was drawn to the black church as a source of identity - by focusing on the social gospel - fit nicely with his political views. This isn't to disparage his choice, I just think it explains where his religious focus is: he doesn't focus too much on theology, but instead on justice, community, and the tolerant aspects of the faith.

Notwithstanding his theology (at least the theology depicted in the interview), I think Obama speaks about his faith better than most politicians - inclusive, uplifting, authoritatively, etc. Also, he is honest about his doubts and where he wrestles with faith. In fact, the "heretical" views in the interview all hit on the genuinally difficult theological questions of Christianity. So, in that regard, it's better to struggle with these connundra than pretend that they're easy questions all should adopt (like some politicians we know).