Is Barack Obama a Citizen?

May 1, AD 2010

Is Barack Obama a Citizen?
Frank Allnutt

In the political context, the question asks if Obama is a citizen of the United States. In the spiritual context, it asks if Obama is a citizen of heaven.

The question of political citizenship
The political citizenship of Barack Obama has become a hot issue since he appeared on the national political scene at the time he announced his candidacy for President of the United States on February 10, 2007. Those who seek more compelling evidence of his U.S. citizenship do so because the U.S. Constitution states citizenship is a mandatory qualification to be President. They have come to be known as “Birthers.” And liberals across the board have generally—and sometimes mockingly—labelled them nitpicking political conservatives who are disgruntled over losing the presidential election to a progressive. Some even say Birthers are racists who oppose Obama solely because he is African-American. Others, who are well to the right of progressives, including the highly visible Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck of Fox News, see the Birther movement as inconsequential—no more than an impotent blend of political sour grapes and a conspiracy theory.

Anti-Birthers conveniently ignore reports that Obama has spent some two million dollars on lawyers to keep certain records of his past sealed from public scrutiny. And that alone has thrown more fuel of intrigue into the fire and swelled the ranks of the Birther movement.

So far, Obama’s legal team has kept the Birthers at bay.

But the going is getting tougher.

Because a new and arguably more credible ingredient has been added to the mix

—much to the delight of Birthers,

—much to the chagrin of anti-Birthers,

—and much to the annoyance of those who have dismissed the Birthers with condescending chuckles and cast-off waves of the hand.

The Arizona intervention
A few days ago the Arizona House voted for a provision that would require Obama (or any U.S. presidential candidate) to produce his birth certificate in order to be on the Arizona ballot if he runs for reelection in 2012. Other states—Florida, Missouri, and Oklahoma—are considering similar bills.

In the interest of Constitutional authority, Congressional integrity, Presidential legitimacy, Obama’s credibility, and the voters’ right to know, the question of Obama’s citizenship must be answered.

The question of spiritual citizenship
However, there is the other question over Obama’s citizenship that is all but drowned out by the din of those on both sides of the political question: Is Obama a citizen of heaven—is he truly a Christian?

To whom is Obama accountable?
It’s a critical question to those who ask it because they want to know Obama’s position on the words of the Apostle Paul regarding “governing authorities,” that “there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Romans 13:1). For, if a President truly acknowledges that God is the supreme authority over governments he will be accountable first and foremost to God. But if a President does not recognize and submit to God’s authority, whether he knows it or not, he places himself under the authority of the ruler of the other spiritual realm: “the god of this world,” who is Satan (John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2). Such a President places himself and his country in potentially great peril.

Barack Obama, in some of his writings and interviews, has professed to be a Christian convert from Islam.

Perhaps I missed it, but has he ever explained why he abandoned Islam and embraced Christianity?

Has Obama ever referred to Jesus as “Lord” in the sense that no other “god” might be placed before Him?

Is the fruit of Obama’s works (Matthew 7:16) consistent with a loving disciple’s faith in—and obedience to—Jesus?

Only God knows Obama’s heart (1 Chronicles 28:9) and if his name is recorded in the Book of Life as a citizen of heaven.

Christians are citizens of heaven as well as ambassadors of heaven to the world. Click here to read more.

Obama’s day of reckoning
A day is coming when Obama will stand before Jesus and one of two scenarios will play out:

Scenario 1: Obama is a welcomed citizen of heaven
Jesus, in so many words, will say: “Well done, good and faithful slave...enter the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).

Scenario 2: Obama is denied citizenship in heaven
Or, as Jesus warned and predicted: “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles ?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS’” (Matthew 7:15-23).

Pray for our leaders
Scriptures tell us that God removes kings and establishes kings (Daniel 2:21), and He does so that His purpose might be done (Revelation 17:17).

So, regardless of Obama’s spiritual status, a citizen of heaven or not, and the fruit he produces, whether fruit for death (Romans 7:5) or fruit for God (Romans 7:4), we are bound by scripture to pray for him—for all of our leaders. And as you do, pray that they will seek to know and to do the will of God.

For, as Paul wrote to Timothy: “I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men...Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:1-6).