More on “Faith of Barack Obama”
Author Stephen Mansfield (pictured at right) had much to say about his new book “The Faith of Barack Obama.”
As promised in today’s edition of The Oklahoman, here is more of my Q&A interview with Mansfield:
Q: In a brief synopsis about your book, you said that you think Obama will continue some of Bush’s faith-based initiatives and that he would probably continue some of the policies oriented toward bringing faith in the public square. Can you talk about that?
A: Most Democrat politicians of the last few decades, even if they were people of faith themselves like Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, came into office, they said they had a faith, they talked about their faith publicly, but they also believed in separation of church and state, that they wouldn’t bring their faith to bear in the Oval Office, that they would simply do the will of the people.
Barack Obama is different. Barack Obama absolutely says ‘I am a Christian of a certain kind and I am going to bring my faith to bear in the Oval Office. I’m going to welcome clergy in. I’m going to make a case for some policies from the basis of my faith.’ For example, he says he’s going to continue Bush’s faith-based initiatives. So that’s the difference with Barack Obama. He’s a Democrat and a left-leaning politician who is not saying I’m going to be secular about my approach to public policy. He’s saying I’m going to bring my theological liberalism and my Christianity to bear on what’s going on in the Oval Office and the policies of my administration. He’s going to be as faith-based as George (W.) Bush is, but it’s going to be coming from a different kind of Christian theology, a very liberal form of Christian theology.
Q: Can you think of anything else you would like to add?
A: I think the big thing that people need to be watching is what happens at the inaugural service and the church that Obama chooses. I think the inaugural service is when the president sort of gets to give his theological stamp. There will be some sort of prayer and there will probably be allusions to faith in his speeches. And of course, sometime soon he’s going to have to choose a church in
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Finding room at the inn
The Rev. George Back and his book “Christmas Joy: Let Heaven and Nature Sing” came into my life at just the right time.
If you’ve ever had something happen that you can’t quite define as coincidence, you will understand what I am saying.
Due to an upcoming assignment and the very premise of Christmas, I had been thinking of Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary and their search for shelter thousands of years ago.
The phrase that kept ringing in my mind as I have heard the story told through songs and oration, “Is there room in the inn?”
One particular day, it struck me personally, that Christ asks on a daily basis “is there room” in one’s heart for Him?
Then I picked up Dean Back’s book and it opened to the page that included the following essay:
“Baby Jesus as Spiritual Guide”
The Gospel of Luke tells the story about how Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus into the temple when he was eight days old. Many old people like Simeon and Anna came to the temple in order to spend their final days in the presence of God, then to die and be buried in that holy place.
When Jesus was brought as a baby into the temple, old Simeon and old Anna immediately saw what their souls yearned for. They had come to the holy polace to complete their lives, and in looking at this newborn, they saw fulfillment of life.
“Now let your servant depart in peace,” proclaimed Simeon.
What he meant was, “I have seen God’s presence in this baby and now I am ready to be born from above.”
Birth and death, breathing in and breathing out, beginning and end, new and old — all these counterparts belong to one spiritual stream of divine grace.
The treasure of a pilgrim’s soul lies in the immensity of its immaturity. Within this immaturity lies the possibility for freedom, growth and development.
Babies rejoice in spiritual incompleteness; they don’t worry about their weakness and incompetence. A baby enjoys being merely a baby.
Likewise, we should let our souls rejoice that we have so far to grow.
When Mary realizes that she is pregnant with God she sings the first Christmas carol. It is the song of one who is mired deep in a poverty of spirit, but who then recognizes the immense possibility of God alive within her. Like Anna and Simeon who came to die but see abundance of life, Mary sees the glory of god springing forth from the depths of her humility. So it is that Mary sings the words we now call “The Magnificat”:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he regards the lowliness of his handmaiden (Luke 1:46-47).
The spiritual pilgrim will see in the baby a helpful guide. Babies live by grace, not by competence. They ask for food from the center of their hunger.
Jesus teaches his followers to pray to his Father in heaven, who knows how to give good gifts to us. In Gospel parables he urges us to pester God — like the persistent widow who nags the dishonest judge, or like the host who annoys his neighbor in order to provide hospitality for a guest.
Do not attempt to speak to God from a posture of confidence in your worthiness, but from your spiritual, intellectual and emotional neediness.
Like Anna and Simeon, seek God in your dying. Like Mary, the unmarried-yet-expectant mother, seek God from your humiliation.
Like a baby, cry deeply from an empty stomach, to be filled with the presence of God.
——-
Dean Back’s book is available at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral bookstore and Full Circle Bookstore in 50 Penn Place.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Oct. 26: Faith Bookshelf
Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska is the subject of a new book highlighted in today’s “Faith Bookshelf.”
“Sara Palin: A New Kind of Leader” is a biography by Joe Hilley (Zondervan).
The book explores themes from her career in politics, her life as a hockey mom and her strongly held Christian faith, explaining how they influence her new style of leadership.
Other books on tap today are:
“The Mission Minded Family: Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny” by Ann Dunagan (Authentic).
Author, teacher and missionary Ann Dunagan shows parents how to combat the influences of the “Me Generation” by giving readers the tools to revolutionize their families into ones dedicated to fulfilling God’s will and potential, instead of their own.
And:
“Searching for a Better God” by Wade Bradshaw (Paternoster).
In his new book, author and pastor Wade Bradshaw explains and examines the repercussions of the “common sense theology” which has condemned the God of the Bible as vindictive, angry, distant — and worse.
“People cannot flourish without hope,” Bradshaw said. “Yet this growing suspicion that God exists but is not worthy of our affection or devotion is subtly robbing the world of its one true hope.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Heaven on Earth
What’s your vision of heaven on earth?
National Geographic wants to know.
In conjunction with Tuesday’s release of its new book “Visions of Paradise(National Geographic Books, $35),” National Geographic is inviting the general public to submit images that best represent their unique vision of heaven on Earth to the “Visions of Paradise Photography Contest” that continues through Dec. 21.
Each week 20 Editor’s Picks will be selected from qualified entries and posted on the Web site at www.nationalgeographic.com/myvision. Viewers will be able to vote for their favorites by going online to the site.
At the end of the submission process, Editor’s Picks also will be judged by an expert panel of photographers and art directors who will selected a final list of 20 official winners.
Winning photographs will be posted on the site and each winner will receive a customized copy of “Visions of Paradise” with their winning photograph as the cover image.
The book released this week features 155 images from 82 renowned National Geographic photographers, conveying their ideas of “heaven on Earth.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Oct. 19 Faith Bookshelf
This week’s Faith Bookshelf is a mixed bag — no certain theme, just several books that have been released recently:
1. “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Middle East Conflict” by Mitchell G. Bard, Ph.D ($19.95, released September 2008).
This updated guide provides readers with an intense look at current events and the ever-changing political and social landscape, as well as the history — ancient and modern — of this region.
2. “Being Christian: Exploring Where You, God and Life Connect,” by Stephen 
Arterburn and John Shore ($19.99, Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group, released September 2008).
While the spiritual beliefs of the current political candidates are being heavily scrutinized, bestselling authors Arterburn and Shore bring an insightful, accessible, and comprehensive guide to the core truths of Christian faith. In an easy-to-use question-and-answer format, the authors address the most pressing questions and faith concerns for new and veteran believers as well as seekers and outside observers.
3. “Salvation on the Small Screen: 24 Hours of Christian Television” by Nadia Bolz-Weber ($17, Seabury Books, released September 2008).
From 5 a.m. Nov. 2 to 5 a.m. Nov. 3 2007, Bolz -Weber watched the Trinity Broadcasting Network for 24 consecutive hours to gain a theological perspective on Christian cable TV — plus to chronicle its star televangelists, prosperity gospel fare, use of the Bible, and product offerings. She invited 28 contributors, including biblical scholars, several Jews, her Evangelical parents, Lutheran pastors and her 9-year-old daughter, to drop in and comment. The result is a high-octane narrative.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
“Love Dare” on bestsellers list
As the faith-themed movie “Fireproof” continues to hold its own as one of the Top 10 feature films since its September premiere, a book that started out as a central plot device in the storyline has soared to the top of a bestsellers list.
“The Love Dare” hit No. 1 on the New York Times Paperback Advice Bestsellers. It was written by Stephen and Alex Kendrick as part of “Fireproof.” When they wrote the script for the film they knew they would have to expand the six days of the book seen in the film into a book covering all 40 days.
The book is a 40-day challenge to put unconditional love into action.
“The Love Dare” is in paperback, but a leather-bound edition is set to be released in January 2009.
To link to an Oct. 4 story and podcast with “The Love Dare” co-author Stephen Kendrick, click here: “Love Dare Q&A.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Oct. 12 Faith Bookshelf
With America’s economic crisis on everyone’s mind, here are several new book releases that highlight a faithful response to money, budgeting and the marketplace:
“Charting the Course: Values for Navigating Life in the Marketplace,” by Bruce Howard (Authentic Publishing, released April 2008, $12.99).
In his new book, Howard grapples with the dilemma of reconciling fixed, transcendent moral values with an economic system based on relative value. Howard, professor of economics and finance at Wheaton College, insists there is a way to moved forward, that we can influence the economy in a way that will bring positive change to the world.
“Good Intentions: Nine Hot-Button Issues Viewed Through the Eyes of 
Faith,”by Bob Smietana and Charles North (Moody Publishers, released January 2008, $13.99).
This book attempts to simplify some solid economic principles as they intertwine with faith and our everyday lives. It is full of compelling stories, a faith-minded perspective and an economi expertise that is unique in the marketplace today.
“Jewish Wisdom for Business Success: Lessons from the Torah and Other Ancient Texts” by Rabbi Levi Brackman and Sam Jaffe (Amacom Books, released September 2008, $24).
Authors Brackman and Jaffe use both scriptural references and contemporary business examples to illustrate the powerful relationship between ancient 
modern success, and offer practical insights any business professional can use to:
– Replace ego with positivity;
– Become a master negotiator;
– Overcome procrastination and learn from failure.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Oct. 5 Faith Bookshelf
I’m calling this posting “Faith Bookshelf” and it is the first in a regular Sunday blog series. I get numerous books from publishers all over the country and this is a way to highlight some of them.
Sometimes I might share a few lines about recently released books or perhaps offer a short list of those books focusing on a particular theme.
Today’s books center around the theme of Judaism, appropriate since the Jewish faith community is celebrating the High Holy Days:
“Hope, Not Fear: A Path to Jewish Renaissance”by Edgar M. Bronfman and Beth Zasloff (St. Martin’s Press, released Sept. 16, $24.95).
This book is a passionate plea to the Jewish community, urging members to celebrate the joy in their culture and religion. Further, it urges Jews to recognize their responsibility to help heal a broken world.
“Who by Fire,”by Diana Spechler (Harper Perennial, released Sept. 23, $14.95).
“Who by Fire” is an emotional portrayal of a family struggle to find the role of faith in their lives. The product of four years of writing and research, the book perfectly captures the conundrums of religious fundamentalism in modern life and introduces Diana Spechler as an enormously gifted writer.
“Checkpoints” by Marilyn Levy (Jewish Publication Society, released Sept. 12, $14).
This is a young adult novel that brings to life the realities faced by teenagers in the
Middle East today, as politics and prejudice threaten to tear lives and relationships apart. The friendship between two girls, one Israeli and one Palestinian, is put to the test when a tragic incident befalls the Israeli girl and her family.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Jewish soldiers get Hebrew Bibles
Chaplains on overseas and domestic bases are distributing a free copy of the Jewish Publication Society’s military edition of the Tanakh, a widely read English translation of the Hebrew Bible.
The distribution comes just in time for the Jewish High Holy Days, which begin with Rosh Hashana at sunset tonight.
The society, in partnership with the Jewish Welfare Board Chaplains Council, produced 10,000 copies of the Bible.
The society said the new military Tanakh, funded by the Everett Foundation, the society and individual donors, contains prayers and blessings, including prayers recited in a time of danger, during illness and for a safe journey on the road, and the traditional blessing over meals.
Unlike the one shown at left, the military edition features a cover with the official camouflage patterns from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. The society’s news release said the Bibles are compact enough to fit into a military uniform pocket.
“JPS has a long tradition of making the Hebrew Bible accessible to all,” Carol Hupping, the society’s chief operating officer and publishing director.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Bible goes green
The Humane Society of the United States is touting ”The Green Bible” published by HarperOne.
“Highlighting Scripture from its environmental perspectives clearly shows that the Bible has much to say about our responsibilities to care for creation and all of its creatures,” Christine Gutleben, director of the society’s animal and religion program, said in a prepared statement.
“The Green Bible” is to hit bookstore shelves Oct. 7, but the humane society plans to distribute copies at upcoming events for its All Creatures Great and Small campaign, including a reception at the Washington National Cathedral on Saturday.
“The Green Bible” highlights in green, soy-based ink, more than 1,000 references, verses and passages related to the Earth. It also contains essays contributed by Brian McLaren, Matthew Sleeth, N.T. Wright, Desmond Tutu and others, and includes a detailed index and personal study guide.
The humane society, through its All Creatures Great and Small campaign, provides ways for people to practice stewardship on behalf of animals and the environment.
“Our campaign is ‘The Green Bible’ in action,” Gutleben said.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
