President Obama wants American Christians to “act a lot more like Pope Francis,” and that fighting poverty should be their emphasis. President Obama was speaking at Georgetown University, the oldest Jesuit University in America, at the ecumenical Catholic-Evangelical Leadership Summit on Overcoming Poverty.
Obama said that Pope Francis is a global icon because of his “insistence” that fighting poverty is at the heart of the Christian life, and said that Francis was “transformative.”
“That emphasis is why he’s had such incredible appeal, including to young people all around the world, and I hope it’s a message everyone receives when he comes to visit,” Obama said. Pope Francis will visit the United States in September.
“When I think about my own Christian faith and my obligations,” Obama said, “it’s important for me to think what I can do myself, like individually mentor young people or make charitable donations.” He admitted, however, that Christian communities “have a voice in the larger debate.”
The president’s remarks drew some criticism. One commentator was upset that “the most anti-life, pro-abortion, anti-religious freedom, pro-secularist POTUS in the history of our nation is telling us how to be better Christians,” adding “After all, who is he to Judge?”
Jesus never fought for social change, or wealth redistribution. Jesus focused on changing hearts and gave power to live in unjust and oppressive environments.
“The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses,–extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power. He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures. To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart.” Desire of Ages, page 509
“All the world wondered…” Revelation 13:3
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Comments
Warrine Harden
Thursday May 14th, 2015 at 11:58 AMSounds like the end of time is here.
Joshua Hullender
Thursday May 14th, 2015 at 10:35 PMThat church could eliminate poverty altogether if she would only give back all she’s earned making poor souls drunk though indulgences and other flavors of Babylonian wine.
Pauline
Friday May 15th, 2015 at 06:00 PMThank you Pastor Mayer for being a faithful watchman, constantly blowing the trumpet and sounding the alarm! The Image of the Beast is surely speaking.
Elcando Citeron
Thursday June 11th, 2015 at 10:23 AMAmen Pauline, and Joshua: Its time for Roman Catholics return what they are stolen form the poor. Doctrines of Indulgences accounts for why the treasure chests are what they are for more than a thousand years. It is this doctrine why Luther reminded Roman Catholics in the 15th century why he was kicked out or excommunicated form the Roman Church.The protest continues…….
Warrine Harden
Tuesday June 9th, 2015 at 12:06 PMAgree with Pauline!
zippcodey
Sunday June 28th, 2015 at 06:07 PMObama is finally starting to speak up for his real boss.
EyesWideOpen
Friday July 3rd, 2015 at 05:53 AMJesus come quickly …
… “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Mat 24:22
Edith Cox
Tuesday July 7th, 2015 at 11:55 AMLook up for our redemption draweth nigh! Time is fast fulfilling!
Carolyn Martinez
Tuesday August 4th, 2015 at 11:54 PMTHE BIBLE AND THE BIBLE ONLY IS WHAT I STAND UP FOR. THE BIBLE THE BASIC INSTRUCTION BEFORE LEAVING EARTH,
Jesse
Wednesday October 7th, 2015 at 01:59 PMIf people were to actually follow Jesus what a difference this world would be…sadly the majority just as when Jesus walked on this earth will follow man and traditions rather than God our Creator.