Today, as I was listening to a news report about Obama's recent decision to increase troop numbers in Afghanistan, I remembered an old podcast I'd listened to awhile back from one of my favorite shows, Speaking of Faith (SOF). Niebuhr was a mainline Protestant theologian, and one whose name gets thrown around a lot at Candler. While I have no manner of expertise on Niebuhr, having studied him even a little gives me a certain appreciation or insight into the way Obama governs, for he once called Reinhold Neibuhr his "favorite philosopher" and "favorite theologian". No doubt, Obama, and every presidential candidate after him, have some answer ready for the "who's your favorite philosopher?' question, since W. so famously remarked during his election campaign that his was Jesus (as if that response said anything of his political style, ethical decision making, or anything else valuable to those deciding who to vote for - it was like saying "Uh, I don't know, whoever you like best", because at least a good majority of persons in the U.S. like "Jesus", even if they have millions of different views as to who he is). I wish he would have said more about how the philosophy of Jesus informed his policy-making.
At the risk of sounding elitist, not folksy enough, Obama's answer is Niebuhr, and thank goodness it is, because Obama is facing some serious challenges. Although he's my Lord, I'm not sure Jesus models presidential behavior quite perfectly. I'd rather not have a president that claims he is the Son of God. I'd rather have one whose understanding of society is complex and whose decisions are consistent. After all, I didn't see W. utilizing a lot of the philosophy of Jesus in his administration. Obama, to his credit, spoke just like Niebuhr in his defense of just war at the Nobel Prize ceremony. Whether I agree with his action or not, I appreciate that his decisions are complexly-informed, rational and pragmatic.
Recently, some people have suggested to me that maybe I was on the "Obama train", that his celebrity, eloquence of speech and even skin color attract me to him. But, beyond agreeing on policies (for which there never seems to be a candidate who fits me perfectly), I need to see in my politicians virtues like: careful decision-making (which is an ethical responsibility!), commitment to the care of the disadvantaged, and ideological clarity combined with humility. These things characterized Niebuhr and are truly Christian, I believe.
Rather than trying to give a synopsis of Niebuhr's thought (for which I'm unqualified), I lead you to the podcast.
