Inauguration Day!!

Today we get a new President.  And I’m excited about it.  I say that without passing much commentary in regards to voting stances or views about outgoing Presidents.  It is change.  It is an exciting time.  The vast majority of the country is excited.  I am too. 

I really do hope that Barack Obama will go down in history as one of the greatest Presidents who ever served in the oval office.  My prayers are for him, his family, and his new administration.  May justice and peace prevail.

I’m also excited for George W. Bush.  I can’t imagine a more relieved man then he must be on this day.  It is always interesting to see the “before” and “after” pictures of the President and how much they aged while serving as President.  I can’t imagine the burden and stress he must have been under EVERY DAY for the past eight years.  Talk about a leadership position!  George W. Bush has been THE LEADER of the free world for eight years!  And as leader, I’m positive:

1. He knows things NO ONE else knows and no one else wants to know.
2. He knows things he WISHES he didn’t know.
3. He is aware of how many times his decisions saved or lost lives (literally).
4. Even when he went on vacation…he never got to be on vacation.
5. EVERY decision will be met with anger and hostility from some.
6. You absorb the criticism and blame for things that you have absolutely no control in or over.

So, to President George W. Bush – enjoy this day as well.  May you sleep well.  And may the heavy mantle you wore as President now be transferred and carried with grace and dignity by the one who comes after you.  Go on a cruise.  You deserve it.

Now What?! Part 2

I can only imagine what it must be like for an African American to either have lived through, or heard stories from parents, grandparents, etc. about the days when you couldn’t eat at the same counter as whites, or drink from the same fountain as whites, or stayed in the same motel as whites to now be living in and witnessing the election of the first African-American President in the history of the United States.

As I watched the results come in on Tuesday and saw the African-American community overwhelmed with emotion I got it (I say “got it” with humility knowing that it is relative to the fact that I am a white male and can’t possibly understand the depth and scope of emotions felt by the African-American community in this regards).  I’m not sure the emotion was about Obama specific, but about something bigger.  About the culmination of a larger story, a greater meta-narrative that was finding some resolution, some justice, some breakthrough as it was on Tuesday night. 

Now let me pan out from the African-American community and address the larger, and majority of Americans who supported and voted for Barack Obama.  What has concerned me about the rhetoric going into the election from those on the Democratic side has been what appears to me to be borderline messianic expectations of an Obama administration (and maybe that is what happens every election on every side, but it seemed more so to me with Obama in this election).  The swooning over his campaign as if the world finally had hope; could finally be restored to its true and right position; could finally have reason to have faith again - is odd given the fact that it seems the Kingdom of God calls us to hold lightly (if at all) the power of government (all government) and to pledge our allegiance to only one government…the one that belongs to Jesus.  The Kingdom of God is our allegiance.  And the king of that Kingdom is our hope.  He is the only one who can bring about “true change we can believe in.”  He is the only one who has our allegiance.  He is the only one who restores the earth to its proper order.  He is our King (or Lord, or rightful President).  So if one votes for Obama out of a sense of public policy and its implications for the nation, fine.  But one should hold that vote lightly.  He should “vote as if he did not vote.”  In the words of John Piper:

1Co 7:29-31  I mean, brethren, the appointed time has been winding down and it has grown very short. From now on, let even those who have wives be as if they had none,  (30)  And those who weep and mourn as though they were not weeping and mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not possess anything,  (31)  And those who deal with this world [overusing the enjoyments of this life] as though they were not absorbed by it and as if they had no dealings with it. For the outward form of this world (the present world order) is passing away.

[in reference to the things of the world] But as we deal with it, we don’t give it our fullest attention. We don’t ascribe to the world the greatest status. There are unseen things that are vastly more precious than the world. We use the world without offering it our whole soul. We may work with all our might when dealing with the world, but the full passions of our heart will be attached to something higher—Godward purposes. We use the world, but not as an end in itself. It is a means. We deal with the world in order to make much of Christ.

So it is with voting. We deal with the system. We deal with the news. We deal with the candidates. We deal with the issues. But we deal with it all as if not dealing with it. It does not have our fullest attention. It is not the great thing in our lives. Christ is. And Christ will be ruling over his people with perfect supremacy no matter who is elected and no matter what government stands or falls. So we vote as though not voting.

- John Piper

So if you are an Obama supporter – celebrate and take joy in a historic election and all that means as a culmination of American political and national history.  But in the end…the occupant in the White House is only there because the King who sits on God’s throne established it.  And we can never find in that occupant, what we find in the One on the throne.

Now What?! Part 1

QUALIFICATION:  I don’t care who you voted for.  I didn’t (on principle) and DON’T vote (someday I’ll explain my theological reasons why…yes…such reasons actually exist).  My own family was torn between the two candidates.  And if I were to vote, I could have easily voted for one on Monday and changed my mind for the other on Tuesday.  Truth is…I like both of them.  Qualification now over.   

The election is over and Barack Obama has won!!!  Given the amount of “Christian crap” I heard prior to the election about Barack Obama and what this would mean for the country, the church, and the end times (seriously)…I’m curious how the church (specifically the white evangelical side of it) will now respond. 

I remember months ago driving in the car with a fellow Pastor to lunch (that is what we do ) and he let me know his great concern about Obama winning the election.  He was concerned that we had turned so far in this country that we would actually vote for a Muslim to be the President.  I interrupted him and said that Barack Obama wasn’t a Muslim.  He insisted that he was, and further, it was a fact that he was sworn in on the Koran when taking his oath to enter the Senate.  I again protested that neither was true.  He insisted that it was, that he received it via e-mail from a very knowledgeable and reliable Christian source.  In the end, I don’t think I convinced him, and his last warning to me was that I shouldn’t put it past him to be a closet Muslim who will come out once elected!!!  [I did not make this story up.]

Prior to this election, I received A TON of e-mails (mostly forwarded), letters, faxes to the church, and messages of concern as to what would happen if Barack Obama were elected.  More than at any other time I could remember.  And most of the e-mails and messages were outrageous in regards to accusation, tone, and fear-mongering.  And most were in defense of Christianity!

It has been disappointing to hear that Christian radio stations like WFRN after airing a Barack advertisement (which they are required to by law) would follow it up immediately with an apology from the President of WFRN to all their Christian listeners.  WOW!!  That gives me a rash.

It seems to me that when it comes to the New Testament’s teaching about gossip, slander, false accusations, etc. that somehow we have read it to mean that it applies to all with one major exception – POLITICIANS.  And for predominantly white evangelicals, the exception seems to be even more narrowed to politicians who happen to be on the Democratic ticket.  They are fair game.  And we can say whatever we want, forward whatever we want, propagate and pass on as fact a juicy tidbit that none of us really checked out but passed along because our Uncle Bob from Utah forwarded it to his entire e-mail list saying “according to Snopes this is true.”  In essense, if someone is running for office, we can suspend Christian morality and ethics in speech and attitude because God never intended for it to apply to them.

Well…Obama won.  And Christians are now having to play the reluctant “God is in charge” rhetoric (which I wonder if we would have to say if McCain had won).  But the country is still watching.  Specifically, the African-American community is watching.  And I think our response to this election will have great impact on how a large (it now seems majority) segment of America will be able to hear anything we have to say again…

More to come.

Presidential Debates

In the end, I hope they will just kiss and make up!

Concerned Christians Part 4

Just because I’ve shared the rest…here is what I am assuming is the LAST letter I received from “concerned Christians.”  I’ll offer it to you without commentary (which is very difficult for me )

Dear Pastor:

It is critical for the protection of Israel, the defense of Christianity, and the prosperity of the American people that right-thinking persons be elected into high office.  How will the responsibilities of the Oval Office be carried out if its occupant does not believe in the one true God, and reverence the principles that have made our country great?  What character of person would sit for two decades without protest, at the feet of a preacher of a radicalism that is the antithesis of the teachings of Moses, and is anathema to the spirit of Christianity?  How will our country fare if its new president does not have the good of all the people at heart, is not resolute in defending America against her enemies, and does not possess the wisdom, and the stamina, to grace the world’s most powerful office?  This coming Tuesday, voters in Indiana and North Carolina will make a choice that will strongly influence whom the next occupant of the Oval Office will be.  As persons of faith, we are urged to pray for “all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2).  As fellow-overseers of the souls of those in our congregations, we have the responsibility to guide them in the principles involved in making the right choices.  Let us, therefore, partake in urgent prayer, and powerful preaching this weekend, in view of a righteous result on May 6th.

With sincerity,

From Concerned Christians

Concerned Christians Part 3

O.K.  Got another letter at the church (I know you all are thinking I’m making this up but I promise these are all true letters we received…ask Ann Lynn) from the anonymous “Concerned Christians.”  Once again, I’m assuming they are going after Barack Obama (who interestingly enough was at the 4-H fairgrounds yesterday…just a few blocks away from my house…he didn’t buy me gas though…what is up with that?!!).  Here is the letter (with my commentary laced in parenthetical notes):

Dear Pastor (that would be me) :

It is our grave responsibility to weigh up current events (who appointed you with such a grave responsibility?), and look ahead to determine the direction our nation, the home of liberty, is heading.  In the Middle East, Israel’s only true friend is the United States, and America’s only true friend is Israel.  Iran is a sworn enemy of us both, and Iraq is a small and very troublesome child.  Most, if not all, of the other Arab nations cannot be trusted, since the brotherhood of the descendants of Ishmael is a more powerful force than peace and pragmatism.  Not only that, but radical Islamic elements seek to bring their hatred to our shores, and spill the blood of Christians and Jews alike.  Against this backdrop, the institutions of democracy run their course.  We are in the midst of a presidential election campaign that will determine, to a large extent, the direction in which our nation will be heading over the next four years.  The choices in the upcoming primaries in Indiana and North Carolina are clear (really?):  on the one hand, an untested candidate who would sit down at the table with our common, unrepentant, sworn enemies (and how exactly does meaningful peace and reconciliation happen apart from this?).  On the other hand, an experienced politician (translation: career politician) who will not stoop to such compromise (dialogue is compromise?), but has promised “massive retaliation” (wow!!  massive!!  that must make Jesus happy…I’m sure he will look beyond that whole “love your enemy” thing…I’m sure he probably didn’t mean it on a “national scale”) against any nation which attacks Israel.  Times are too critical to bathe the dark intrigues (that sounds kind of poetic) of the Middle East in an unrealistic millennial glow (I feel soothed just saying that over and over).  The time will come when the lion will lie down with the lamb (so compromise is coming as the lion sits at the same table as the lamb?), but in the meantime our Messiah (are you sure we have the same Messiah?  I’m following that crucified suffering servant one…which one are you talking about?) is holding us responsible for the government (when did he say that?  I don’t remember him ever saying we were responsible for our government…maybe it was in that Gospel of Thomas book?) that we choose.  (Translation:  someday Jesus will make things right…until then…let’s kick the crap out of all of our nationalistic enemies just like Jesus would want!)

With sincerity,

From Concerned Christians

Concerned Christians Part 2

O.K.  I shared last week an anonymous letter I received from “Concerned Christians.”  You can read it here.  This week I have received another.  I thought I would share with you the Barack bashing:

Dear Pastor:  We write as a follow-up to our letter of April 4th, concerning current events that threaten the foundations of our Christian nation (wow…serious assumption right there).  We will quote, verbatim, from a town hall meeting held at Hocking College, Nelsonville, Ohio on March 2nd – so that you can see for yourself the character of person that could be our next President:

“I don’t think my church is particularly controversial.  It’s a member of the United Church of Christ.  It’s got a choir (sweet).  We read scriptures (very nice).  You would feel at home if you were there (do you serve coffee and donuts?).  Jeremiah Wright has said some controversial things, calling for divestment of South Africa and things like that and he thinks it’s important for us to focus on what’s happening in Africa, and I agree with him on that.  I think what you may be referring to probably has to do with two issues, which is abortion and gay marriage.  Which has become, I think, how people measure faith in the evangelical community, and, you know, I think that there are genuine differences of opinion in this area.  I will tell you that I don’t believe in gay marriage.  But I do think that people who are gay and lesbian should be treated with dignity and respect and that the state should not discriminate against them.  I believe in civil unions that allow a same-sex couple to visit each other in the hospital or transfer property to each other.  I don’t think that it should be called marriage, but I think that it is a legal right that they should have that is recognized by the state.  (author of letter bolded last sentence) If people find that controversial, then I would refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think, you know, is in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans.”

For a professing Christian to manipulate and denigrate the Holy Scriptures is apostate in character.  When what is apostate in character seeks the most powerful office in the Western World, it is the duty of Christians everywhere to sound the alarm!

With sincerity,

From Concerned Christians

Well…

• I’m not a Barack Obama supporter.  I’m not a Barack Obama hater either.  But why is this ALL about Barack Obama.  Has anyone asked about Hillary Clinton’s views?  What about John McCains?
• “Apostate”?!  Is Barack running for Pope, for Bishop, for some religious office?
• Do you know what Thomas Jefferson did to the Bible?  Has anyone ever heard of the Jeffersonian Bible?  He didn’t believe in the possibility of miracles, so he literally cut them out of his Bible.
• Many of the earliest founding fathers of our country were Deists who would hold “apostate” views of Scripture in the eyes of many and yet we celebrate them as some of the great leaders of our country’s history.
• Is our standard of for the Presidency someone who interprets the Bible in the same manner and same hermeneutic as “Concerned Christians?”
• If “Concerned Christians” don’t want to vote for Barack Obama because of his interpretive views of Scripture, then by all means…don’t vote for him…but please don’t contend it is the “duty of Christians everywhere to sound the alarm!”  The alarm of what?!  Barack doesn’t see the Bible like I do.

 

In Light of Obama’s Visit

Barack Obama visited South Bend last night!  Mayor Steve Lueke has endorsed him (is that helpful?).  In light of his visit I thought I would share a REAL letter I got here at the church:

Dear Pastor:

We write again (I don’t recall the first time)with ever deepening concern over the events of the past few weeks.  Why has a man who has been publicly praised by the leader of the Nation of Islam, and whose spiritual mentor is a heralder of hate, been able to sway thousands with his false sermon of hope and siren-call for change?  In Cleveland, when confronted face-to-face with those questionable associations, the orator’s shifting eyes and faltering tongue bore little resemblance to his normal lofty rhetoric among the crowds.  Since then his silver tongue has tarnished the Sermon on the Mount, insulted the Apostle Paul, and cheapened the atoning work of our Savior (wow!!)  What hopes does this close-up picture convey?  What change for the better will this bring about?  What assurance does this give us that all will be well?  Is this, indeed, the “bramble” of Judges 9:15?  “And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, [then] come [and] put your trust in my shadow:  and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.” (what?!)  To paraphrase the language of that campaign:  this is our time; this is our moment – we cannot wait!  Dear fellow-carer for men’s souls, join us in spreading the warning abroad, as Jotham did from Mount Gerizim, and let us count on divine intervention to hinder the momentum of those who temporize with the enemies of Christianity (did they just say ‘enemies?’ – wow!)

With sincerity,

From Concerned Christians

MY RESPONSE:

1.  Dear “Concerned Christians” – you’re an idiot!

2.  I never give credibility to anything that is anonymous.

3.  This letter is a classic illustration of what causes many people to get a rash when it comes to Christianity.

4.  Is this Mike Gallagher?  (OK…I threw that in for Miranda )

5.  Stop writing me…it is wasting trees…and if all the trees are gone…who will the “bramble” talk to?

South Bend School Corporation Part 4 (am I already up to four?)

Well…it seems there is a possibility that Barack Obama may be making a campaign stop at Washington High School.  You can read the story here.  This is a big deal because a little over a week ago the school system’s administration, in an asinine (yea…I said ass-inine) move declined Senator Hillary Clinton’s request.

What has changed?  Spring Break.  Barack Obama can come because the kids are on Spring Break (and thus not a disruption…are pep rallies a disruption?  And aren’t some disruptions worth it?  You know…LIKE WITNESSING HISTORY!!!!!) sorry I digressed…

First, congratulations to the school administration for making the right decision this time to affirm Barack Obama could come to Washington High School.

If you need a face-saving way to justify this, then use the “Spring Break” excuse as your way of doing that. 

I would recommend however, you simply release the following statement:

Dear South Bend students, teachers, and community,

When we declined Senator Clinton’s request to come to Washington High School, we thought we were making the right decision.  In hindsight, and after clear and strong disagreement from the community, we now regret having made such a decision and wish to apologize to the community, and especially the students at Washington High School for denying them such an opportunity.

So that we do not make the same regretful mistake again, we have received a request from Barack Obama and we want to extend to him our invitation to visit Washington High School.  I’m sure many will see this as partisan on our side, or racially motivated, but that is not our intent.  In fact, if Senator Clinton would ever consider coming to South Bend again, we hope she will accept our humble apology for denying her access and that she would consider again Washington High School as a place to visit.

Sincerely,

The South Bend Community School Corporation