Questions about Obama's religious orientation and faith have been an annoying element of this campaign. Lingering rumors about some Islamic background, his so-called messiah complex, and the black liberation theology of Rev. Wright's church have obscured the profound influence of Christianity on Obama's life and politics, particularly his bold decision to seek the presidency after a relatively short period on the national scene.
In the closing line of tonight's acceptance speech Barack Obama made an important faith statement, one that should be reassuring to serious Christians and even inspiring to those of his supporters who are not comfortable with religion.
Many in the audience in Denver and at home probably noticed how Barack
Obama's cadence changed toward the end of his acceptance speech as he
took on the tone of a preacher. It might take some discussion to
understand the signficance of his closing line, one that may have been
offered as a central statement of his faith as well as the message of
his campaign. "Let us hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that
we confess."
The reference is to Paul's letter to the Hebrews, Ch. 10, v. 23. This
section of the epistle is a celebration of possibility, how all
Christians can now, through the sacrifice of Jesus, enter "boldly into
the sanctuary," which was previously reserved only for the priests of
the Hebrew covenant. This chapter endorses a radical equality, the
priesthood of all believers. With this radical equality comes a
mutual responsibility. In the lines following those quoted by Obama
is this exhortation: "We ought to see how each of us may best arouse
others to love and active goodness." And Paul also exhorts his
audience to boldness, as in the last verse of the chapter: "We are not
among those who shrink back and are lost; we have the faith to make
life our own."
I believe this was not a scriptural reference offered by a campaign
religious advisor. This reference seems an absolutely sincere
expression of faith and the spiritual grounding of Obama's bold
endeavor.