Does the Oath Count?

[DaJudge]

Obama and Roberts got a do over of the oath at the White House:

http://www.wgst.com/cc-common/news/sect ... le=4881832

[bibleguy]

I know that they are just trying to cover themselves, but I don't feel that the oath was illegitimate because of a stutter or a flub.

How many marriage vows have been butchered? Yet we count them as valid.

The intent was there. Hundreds of thousands of witnesses physically present, and millions upon millions more watching at home. One hand on a Bible, another openly visible in the air -- and no fingers crossed. Whether he will actually protect and defend the U.S. Constitution and We, the People of the United States is where the rubber meets the road. That is true whether or not he re-took the oath, or if he took it again each day of his term.

In fact, I hope that he will "execute the office of President of the United States faithfully," especially now that he has said so TWICE!

“And for that the oath was doubled unto the President twice; it is because the thing is established by God...” (Genesis 41:32 BHO version)

[bibleguy]

and really liked Rev Rick Warrens prayer as well.

I did not get a chance to see it, did R.W. end his prayer in "Jesus Name"?

He did... in several languages: Yeshua, Issa, Jesús...

Praise the Lord! That is so awesome, I'm thankful for men and women of God who refuse to bow to the world. To God be the Glory...

Actually, I was a little disturbed by RW's subtle inclusion of noticeably Islamic phrasing. This seemed to serve only as an attempt to pacify muslims. For instance, "And you are the compassionate and merciful one." Yes, Jehovah is merciful and compassionate, but this is distinct terminology, an invocation very prolific in islamic prayers and writings.

BTW, if we are to talk about Issa, we need to be specific, because the Issa of the Koran is only mildly similar to the Issa of the Bible. Muslims believe that they are more reverent of Issa than Christians. First of all, they always follow his name with "Peace be upon Him," and we just call out His name: JESUS!

Also the Qur'anic Issa was born 3 days after conception, and spoke to Mary's family on the day of his birth. That Issa will also return, but, when he does he will kill all Jews, Christians and pigs.

Call me a nit-picker, but an attempt to assuage muslim backlash in an inclusive wrapper ...

A prayer should not be a political statement, or sterilized for public consumption. The whole thing seemed contrived to me.

[Pastor Gary]

Actually, I was a little disturbed by RW's subtle inclusion of noticeably Islamic phrasing. This seemed to serve only as an attempt to pacify muslims. For instance, "And you are the compassionate and merciful one." Yes, Jehovah is merciful and compassionate, but this is distinct terminology, an invocation very prolific in islamic prayers and writings.

See, now I took it 180 degrees the opposite -- I took it as Warren's sly way of equating to Muslims that Jesus, in whose name he prayed, was God by using a phrase they relate to.

BTW, if we are to talk about Issa, we need to be specific, because the Issa of the Koran is only mildly similar to the Issa of the Bible. Muslims believe that they are more reverent of Issa than Christians. First of all, they always follow his name with "Peace be upon Him," and we just call out His name: JESUS

Why do you assume his reference to Issa had anything to do with Islam? I have a very good friend from Egypt, a devout Christian Seminary classmate. He reads his Bible in Arabic, and told me that the name of the Son of God in his Bible is rendered "Issa" -- exactly the same as it is rendered in Islamic literature.

[bibleguy]

Thanks PG. No, I don't think he was actually invoking the Issa of Islam. I was only expressing that the picture in the mind's eye of muslims is very different from that of Christians. These are two very different Issas.

My wife is Russian, but she lived in Uzbekistan. The Uzbeks call God (Bog in Russian) Allakh. But the Christian Allakh is very different from the muslim Allakh.

We must be careful to differentiate the two, even though they sound similar.

It still seemed very political to me, praying for the benefit of various special interest groups. As did the final blessing seem to be more of a political statement then an honest outreach to the Almighty.