Dear Friends:
First, I am glad to be back! Due to some pressing ministry needs as well as travel, I haven’t been consistent with my weekly blog. However, I have felt the need to address the Barack Obama and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy. As most of us know by now, presidential candidate, Barack Obama has come under fire due to the inflammatory remarks by his former pastor, Dr. Jeremiah Wright.
In a nutshell, Rev. Wright made statements in regard to the attack on America back during the 9/11 attacks. Rev. Wright pretty much concluded that God allowed America to be attacked because of her treatment of minorities, especially African-Americans. As a result, many in the media have suggested that perhaps Mr. Obama subscribes to these sentiments of his former pastor due to the fact that he sat under his leadership and ministry for 20 years.
Many have said that if Mr. Obama does not believe as his former pastor, then why did he continue to sit and listen to such hatred? Therefore, the overall conclusion is Barack Obama must be a racist! The Obama camp quickly responded through a well written speech that was delivered in Philadelphia, while Mr. Obama was campaigning. As I have listened to Rev. Wright’s sermon on several occasions, I have come to the conclusion that while his words can be construed as being anti-America, I’m not sure if it means that he is in fact a hater of America, or that he is a racist.
I don’t want to spend a great deal of time to determine whether this man is Satan incarnate , however, I do wish to raise the question what is really behind the newly formed attacks on Barack Obama? If you have been following the campaign, then you are well aware that Barack has been doing extremely well in bringing people together, both Blacks and Whites, Asians and Latinos. He has won more States than the once favored Senator Hillary Clinton.
He is ahead of Hillary in the delegate count, and still remains very popular by many young people who, have never showed any interest in politics before. Why is there seemingly an attempt to railroad this man’s chance to become president of the United States? Is the problem racism? Is it really the association that Barack has with Rev. Jeremiah Wright? That leads me to make an interesting observation that many of you perhaps have never considered.
Our current president, George W. Bush is a republican, very conservative, is against same-sex marriage, is pro-life, a professing Christian, and yet, he belongs to what amounts to be the most liberal church denomination in America: The United Methodist Church. This church is officially on the record for ordaining openly gay ministers, having a liberal view on human sexuality by affirming the homosexual lifestyle, and they do not subscribe to the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture.
Therefore, the obvious question of the hour is why would a “Christian” man be a part of a church that goes against the clear teaching of Scripture? Perhaps a better question is how can he reconcile his staunch conservative position with the liberalism that is in the United Methodist Church? What is the point? The point is if we’re going to indict Barack Obama as a racist because of his association with his former pastor, then why do we not indict George W. Bush as a hypocrite for being a member of a church that goes against his personal and political leanings?
To get more to the point, I do not believe for one moment that Barack Obama is a racist! Anyone with a basic level of discernment can both see and sense that this man is genuine in what he believes….even if some of his views are misguided.To hear Barack speak and share his heart, one comes away feeling refreshed and filled with hope that tomorrow will be a brighter day. Is if fair for the media and political adversaries to mislead the Country by designating Barack Obama as a racist pig? I think not. However, Mr. Obama must expect to be attacked by those who fear his popularity and his ability to win the hearts of all people.
Let us remain prayerful that God will give us a president that will uphold the principles and truths that is found in the Scriptures. For the record, I am an evangelical Christian, and I will never support any candidate, black or white who do not share my values and convictions as I see them through the lens of Scripture. What is really behind the attacks on Barack Obama? What say you?
Serving Christ Joyfully,
