Is Barack Obama a Christian?<\/p>\n
This perennial question came to the fore recently after American President Barack Obama endorsed same-sex marriage in an interview with ABC\u2019s Robin Roberts. Speaking of his views on the issue as the result of \u201can evolution,\u201d Obama relayed that he had decided that it was \u201cimportant for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.\u201d Referencing the ethical witness of his daughters, the President made his argument on biblical grounds, specifically the \u201cgolden rule,\u201d the idea that we should \u201ctreat others the way you\u2019d want to be treated,\u201d as he paraphrased Matthew 7:12. <\/p>\n
The question of whether any person is a Christian is important, not just a President or celebrity. Scripture offers numerous examples of people who claim faith and yet are not necessarily converted (Matt. 7:22; Luke 8:4\u201321; 2 Tim. 4:3\u20134). Christians and local churches act biblically when they examine a confession of faith to see if it is backed up by a holy, God-pleasing life (1 John 4:1; 1 Thess. 5:22). Though a vocal Christian contingent argues that such analysis is hostile, it is necessary for us to examine the faith of those who profess it.<\/p>\n