Obama inauguration: Speech contained godly references
Barack Obama’s first speech as the nation’s new president contained several references to God and Holy Scripture.
Stephen Mansfield, author of the book “The Faith of Barack Obama,” predicted as much.
Here are some examples from Obama’s inauguration speech:
1. “We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
There are several allusions to Scripture in this passage of Obama’s text. One that stands out is a specific reference to 1 Corinthians 13:11: When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Also: Obama’s text indicates a belief that there is a “God-given promise” of equality and freedom for everyone.
2. “For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every End of this Earth; …”
Obama acknowledges that America is a country that includes both people of faith and those who do not ascribe to faith beliefs.
3. “This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.”
A reference to a sense of God-given purpose for America.
4. “America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardships, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that wehen we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
“Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.”
Obama concluded with clear references to God’s grace and blessings.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment