George W. Bush: Bible Not Literally True
President George W. Bush made the statement on ABC's Nightline. Bush said, when asked about the Bible's literal truth, "Probably not. No, I'm not a literalist, but I think you can learn a lot from it." On the subject of the creation of the universe, President Bush went on to say, "I think that God created the Earth ... and I don't think it's incompatible with the scientific proof that there is evolution." Bush also suggested that Christians, Jews, and Muslims pray to the same God.
While some evangelical Christians, like David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network, will be aghast at this revelation, George Bush's religious beliefs are in the mainstream on American religious thoughts. Christians, like Bush, believe that two thousand years ago Jesus Christ, the son of God, was born, preached, and died in order to expiate the sins of humankind. They also believe that the Bible is a good guide book on how to live a good, virtuous life, particularly the New Testament teachings of Jesus.
But most Christians do not believe that the universe was literally created six thousand years ago in six days by divine fiat. The Bible is not a science book, nor, primarily, a history book, though there is history in it. And most Christians ignore some of the more violent pronouncements in the Bible, such as admonitions to kill Sabbath breakers, homosexuals, and women with loose morals.
George Bush does admit to praying for guidance when he has to make big decisions as President. But cautioned that when he does make a decision, it is not God's, but his alone and hence his responsibility alone.
George Bush's confession runs somewhat counter to the stereotypes of religious conservatives held dearly by the Left. Religious people are always calling down hell fire and brimstone upon the ungodly, according to the stereotype, and tend to be mean, intolerant, and bigoted. George Bush, like most believing Christians, is none of those things.
While the fact that George W. Bush is not a religious fundamentalist may prove disconcerting to evangelical Christians that have been part of the base of his political support. But one can imagine that the Left will be even more disconcerted, perceiving a monster, but seeing, in the end, just a man who believes in God and tries to live by the Bible's teachings of love and virtue.
Source: CNN guest: Bush Bible comment shocked evangelicals, David Edwards and Muriel Kane, CNN, December 11th, 2008
Published by Mark Whittington
Mark R. Whittington is a writer residing in Houston, Texas. He is the author of The Last Moonwalker, Children of Apollo, Dark Sanction, and Nocturne. He has written numerous articles, some for the Washington... View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentI was shocked, but I think like a lot of christians there is a lack of discipleship, a lack of true knowledge of what the bible says and is. It says in 2 Tim. 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." God is truth and since all scripture is inspired by God that means the bible is truth. He needs to know that he needs to believe that. In order to be a Christian you need to believe and confess that Christ is Lord and make Him Lord of your life. So I can not judge whether or not he is a christian based on that statement. But I can say this that W words weigh heavier because he is the president, and can affect people in great ways. They need to know that the Bible is truth! Because its a foundation of the way of a Christians life, we can't pick and choose what we like. It needs to be understood!
Bush is a christian that has not get the right revelation of what really is to know God,but even that is guided by God,there is no dout of that,as God used nabuconezor the king of babilon,the same way God use Bush,and my personal opinion is,that he has been the only president that had not been scare to confront reality,long life to the Bush.
Bush is entitled to his own belief system just like we are. The media is still trying to farther tarnish this mans image when it's already been destroyed. Earlier I read an article on AOL News saying that the neighborhood his new house is in, used to be a racist community, Lol. Aside from that, he is correct in some ways, though of course the Bible has gone through changes over the years- would you really take the parts in the bible that tell you to stone your children seriously?
Obviously this story was not written by a Christian. Christ died, but more importantly he rose again.
At least the author could have written such in "scare quotes".
eve W isn't that stupid.
I would definitely agree President Bush is in the mainstream among Christians in general with his assessment of the Bible. In Catholic School in science class the nuns taught us about evolution, in Religion, the 'story of Adam and Eve'. Much of the Old Testament was always taught as allegory - while the New Testament, the Word of God, as narrative. Even within denominations, regions, right down to who teaches your Bible study group - there is a disparity of opinion.
To ask, "Is the Bible literally true?" is such a terrible question, especially if the person being asked feels pressure to answer "yes" or "no."
For example, suppose I tell you, "I'm going to run to the bank." If you were to take this "literally" it means I wouldn't ride, walk or drive to the bank, but only run as in jogging. But the truth of the fact that I am going to the bank is unquestioned.
When the Bible says Jesus is the "Lamb of God" who in their right mind takes that literally? Jesus is not a young sheep. It is a metaphor, meaning that he was sacrificed for the sins of others just like young sheep were sacrificed for the sins of others in the OT.
Also, one more thing, the Bible never says the earth was created 6000 years ago. That was some guy in the church a long time ago (named Ussher) who said that. The length of "day" as we know it now is 24 hours based upon one revolution of the earth on its axis. So, before God created the earth, but had just created
You need to do your work to get past the very stereotype you describe. An "Evangelical" and a "Fundamentalist" are two very different things. Evangelicals know this and are weary of the media talking about evangelicals as if they are fundamentalists.
I really do believe that, after hearing this, some of the Bush haters might dial down the vitriol a bit. The pic you posted of Dubbya proves in no uncertain terms that 8 years in the White House will age you like nobody's business. At first glance, I thought it was Will Ferrell. ;-D
The left will always perceive G. W. Bush as a monster........he is not.