Comments on: Obama’s theology of reconciliation and perfection http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-and-perfection/ Anderson + Koo = Anderkoo Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:49:11 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Pascal http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-and-perfection/comment-page-1/#comment-29031 Pascal Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:46:10 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-an#comment-29031 Your analysis is very relevant. I just wanted to notice that in the script of the speech it is written : "the fact is that the comments that have been made in the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflects the complexities of race in this country that we've never really work through -- a part of our union that we have yet to perfect". But Obama (15:37) makes a lapsus. He says : "(..) a part of our union that we have yet to make perfect". See the difference ? So it may not so obvious, as it sounds, to refer to christian perfection, sometimes :-) That was just a philosophical remark. Pascal - Philosopher Working on a PhD "S. Cavell : politics of perfectionism" Your analysis is very relevant.

I just wanted to notice that in the script of the speech it is written : “the fact is that the comments that have been made in the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflects the complexities of race in this country that we’ve never really work through — a part of our union that we have yet to perfect”.
But Obama (15:37) makes a lapsus. He says : “(..) a part of our union that we have yet to make perfect”.

See the difference ?
So it may not so obvious, as it sounds, to refer to christian perfection, sometimes :-)

That was just a philosophical remark.

Pascal – Philosopher
Working on a PhD “S. Cavell : politics of perfectionism”

]]> By: TJ Mercer http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-and-perfection/comment-page-1/#comment-19737 TJ Mercer Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:45:20 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-an#comment-19737 All that I have read here seems to be at the base, a focus upon the activity of the person to generate some sort of "righteousness" in the works accomplished by that person to add to or suppliment the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ as an intergrel part of the Eternal Salvation of of the individual. Am I mistaken in seeing this as an issue or if not, can someone help me understand what this "perfectionism" is all about? All that I have read here seems to be at the base, a focus upon the activity of the person to generate some sort of “righteousness” in the works accomplished by that person to add to or suppliment the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ as an intergrel part of the Eternal Salvation of of the individual. Am I mistaken in seeing this as an issue or if not, can someone help me understand what this “perfectionism” is all about?

]]> By: weeping for brunnhilde http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-and-perfection/comment-page-1/#comment-19671 weeping for brunnhilde Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:58:24 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-an#comment-19671 Bravo. A cogent and concise essay. It's simplified a very complicated set of issues without being trite. Process-orientation v. results-orientation. I fall squarely in the first category: the best we can do is try to perfect ourselves and in the process inspire others to do the same. I personally find the Methodist model as you've articulated it to be idolatrous (how can we be so certain of God's plan?) and hubristic (presuming we know that plan, how can we execute it without at the same time unleashing a pandora's box of unintended consequences?). Not to say we should be paralyzed by doubt and timidity, of course, but it's important to exercise discretion and above all, to admit we got it wrong and be prepared to rectify the situation. God help us all. Bravo.

A cogent and concise essay.

It’s simplified a very complicated set of issues without being trite.

Process-orientation v. results-orientation.

I fall squarely in the first category: the best we can do is try to perfect ourselves and in the process inspire others to do the same.

I personally find the Methodist model as you’ve articulated it to be idolatrous (how can we be so certain of God’s plan?) and hubristic (presuming we know that plan, how can we execute it without at the same time unleashing a pandora’s box of unintended consequences?).

Not to say we should be paralyzed by doubt and timidity, of course, but it’s important to exercise discretion and above all, to admit we got it wrong and be prepared to rectify the situation.

God help us all.

]]> By: EmmaRussell http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-and-perfection/comment-page-1/#comment-19670 EmmaRussell Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:22:07 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-an#comment-19670 You have said in words, more eloquently than I, what I have been thinking since reading Obama's speech a few days ago. Thank you. You have said in words, more eloquently than I, what I have been thinking since reading Obama’s speech a few days ago. Thank you.

]]> By: kyunschooler http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-and-perfection/comment-page-1/#comment-19669 kyunschooler Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:33:54 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-an#comment-19669 I love this analysis. Thank you so much. You have uplifted my spirits today. I agree this needs to be spread far and wide. This is a post that Christians can understand. This is truly the most important blog I have read on this topic and I have read at least 50 or more over the past week. I love this analysis.
Thank you so much.
You have uplifted my spirits today.
I agree this needs to be spread far and wide.
This is a post that Christians can understand.

This is truly the most important blog I have read on this topic and I have read at least 50 or more over the past week.

]]> By: Eunice http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-and-perfection/comment-page-1/#comment-19658 Eunice Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:48:04 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-an#comment-19658 How do you come to the statement that Obama is working out salvation through the process of perfecting the American race experience? I did not hear that in his Tuesday race speech, as excellent as it was. Working toward perfecting the American experience is a concept separate from the work of Salvation through Christ. Christ does the work of Salvation our response is how we love each other. I think Obama gave us a very clear idea of how we are to proceed with reconciling race relations. Messianic he is not but a Christian, living his faith in the Messiah, just as we have faith in the same Messiah. We need to keep him in our prayers for him to continue to draw strength in Christ, leaning not on his own understanding. As wonderful a leader as he appears to becoming, we need to keep in mind that no one individual, no matter how great a leader, is human needing the same grace & forgiveness for our imperfections from the one whose Resurrection and complete perfection we celebrate this Easter. How do you come to the statement that Obama is working out salvation through the process of perfecting the American race experience? I did not hear that in his Tuesday race speech, as excellent as it was. Working toward perfecting the American experience is a concept separate from the work of Salvation through Christ. Christ does the work of Salvation our response is how we love each other. I think Obama gave us a very clear idea of how we are to proceed with reconciling race relations. Messianic he is not but a Christian, living his faith in the Messiah, just as we have faith in the same Messiah. We need to keep him in our prayers for him to continue to draw strength in Christ, leaning not on his own understanding.
As wonderful a leader as he appears to becoming, we need to keep in mind that no one individual, no matter how great a leader, is human needing the same grace & forgiveness for our imperfections from the one whose Resurrection and complete perfection we celebrate this Easter.

]]> By: Steven Denlinger http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-and-perfection/comment-page-1/#comment-19652 Steven Denlinger Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:57:03 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-an#comment-19652 Wonderful analysis of Obama's approach to salvation - his humility is a refreshing change from the leadership we suffer today. Thank you. Wonderful analysis of Obama’s approach to salvation – his humility is a refreshing change from the leadership we suffer today.

Thank you.

]]> By: miles burke http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-and-perfection/comment-page-1/#comment-19624 miles burke Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:45:47 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-an#comment-19624 A very thoughtful assessment of Senator Obama's speech outlining his spiritual beliefs. As a recovering alcoholic and drug addict for 33 years (yes, I still go to meetings) I can identify with the spiritual process of having "insight into" as well as "grace" regarding imperfection; recognizing it in myself and others, always telling us we are not God. A very thoughtful assessment of Senator Obama’s speech outlining his spiritual beliefs. As a recovering alcoholic and drug addict for 33 years (yes, I still go to meetings) I can identify with the spiritual process of having “insight into” as well as “grace” regarding imperfection; recognizing it in myself and others, always telling us we are not God.

]]> By: Deanna http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-and-perfection/comment-page-1/#comment-19605 Deanna Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:54:18 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/anderkoo/2008/03/20/obamas-theology-of-reconciliation-an#comment-19605 Thank you. I wish that CNN, FOX MSNBC and so many other media outlets would post this thought provoking work on their sites. It is too important to not be read by many. Again, Thank you Deanna Thank you. I wish that CNN, FOX MSNBC and so many other media outlets would post this thought provoking work on their sites. It is too important to not be read by many.
Again, Thank you
Deanna

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