“The detail behind the hope”

A review of "The Change We Can Believe In", by Barack Obama.

Book review by Kara Martin

There is enormous pressure on Barack Obama right now. The eyes of the world are on him to deliver the change, and the hope, that he preached in the election campaign. In an Obama book review Bruce Elder asked if “we are all watching the fall of the US Empire and even Obama will not be able to stop it?”
Even if the Empire falls, and I am not suggesting it will, Obama is a publishing phenomenon! His books Dreams from my Father and Audacity of Hope have been Top 10 round the world since halfway through last year. This latest offering is an outline of the Obama plan for rebuilding America.
The Change we can Believe in was originally released in the US during the election campaign. It was designed to complement the online release of information about the Obama policies. The Australian edition features eight speeches from the campaign trail, including the inspirational speech from election night.
There are several things that impress me about these policies. They are very comprehensive for an election campaign. They are also quite specific and written in language that is easy to understand. As Andrew West has pointed out, the mark of Obama has been his clarity. He has also been thorough, not glamorous, fair dinkum rather than vote-catching. I have to admit that the policies on health care, education, environment and international aid are really heartening. Whether he will ever be able to afford those programs in the current climate is another thing
There are many however, who will already be disappointed with Obama as a “so-called” Christian with his decisions to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, and his promise to fund stem cell research.
However, we need to remember a couple of things. Firstly, he is head of a democratic party; and these are party policies. He may or may not support them personally. Secondly, those decisions still have a wider social agenda; so there is justification of stem cell research on the basis of advancing medical science and needing to find cures for those who are suffering; and he put up a bill recognising same-sex unions because discrimination based on sexual orientation was unfair, and he wanted to end the hypocrisy.
He acknowledges in his election night speech that not everybody will agree with every decision or policy he makes, but at least he has been upfront and honest.
His faith does come through in the book. While all US Presidents usually claim God is on their side, not all are as clear about the link. For example, Obama says that faith is not just a source of personal strength, it can be the foundation of renewal of society. In saying that he is breaking down some of the classic church and state divisions; he is saying faith is not just an individual issue, it impacts our whole lives.
In terms of faith influencing the policies, there seem to be clear links in the sense of the need to restore integrity to political processes, to care for the poor, not just in the US but also around the world through the forgiveness of foreign debt, and there is a commitment to innovative programs to rebuild community, using churches and parachurch organisations.
There are weaknesses. This is not a pretty book; in some ways it is plain and dirty. The goal was to match what was happening online and through the speeches; to outline policy and have it available for everyone. It could have been better set out and more attractively presented. Also, none of the policies are costed.
However, there is more that is positive. This book suggests that Obama is not just an outstanding orator, but someone with faith and conviction, who has God’s heart for creation and the poor and sick. He has already freed the prisoners of Guantanamo Bay, after all. I think this man and his family need our prayers. There is so much focus and attention and expectation on him right now… Let’s pray that his faith will be deepened and enriched, that he will have an acute awareness of God’s spirit prompting him during his time of Presidency, and that he will walk Jesus’ way.

KARA MARTIN is a lecturer with School of Christian Studies (www.socs.org.au), and is an avid reader and book group attendee. Kara does reviews for Heart 103.2’s Open House (www.theopenhouse.net.au).