Just recently, Congresswoman Michelle Bauchmann finished an interview with more than her foot in her mouth. Christ Matthews, host of "Hardball" on MSNBC, was a catalyst to the downfall of this hateful woman. I confess that I do not know Congresswoman Bauchmann personally, but if comes out is a representation of what lies within our hearts - then where is this country headed?
...but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? (James 3:8-11)
Just this morning, I was preparing for Sunday service and left the television on a Gospel Broadcast Station (can't remember which one). Today's sermon preached by Pastor David Jeremiah is similar to his many Evangelical counterparts. The camera panned the congregation and if the sound were off, one would think this was the last rights sermon for the believer. Of course, the congregation was full of my caucasion brothers and sisters. Or should I say, the congregation was full of the grandparents of my caucastion brothers and sisters:) The message was carefully structured and has been preached a lot within these last few weeks of the election - Beware the Anti-Christ!
I cannot quite remember all the points given but a few stood out. The congregants and millions of television viewers were being warned that the anti-Christ was an intellectual man that had the majority vote (no joke!). This man was great in rhetoric and very impressive to those unaware of the anti-Christ sermon being preached this morning. He would seek to save those less fortunate but once in power would turn to evil and have the world worship him.
My first thoughts were, "whew! I'm glad it's not a woman's fault this time!" Then I began to remind myself of the many sermons recently being preached by white evangelical preachers. As editor of Charisma Magazine and author, J. Lee Grady has sent mass emailings to warn the "true" Christian from falling into the ploys of Senator Barack Obama. While working at my local assembly, a Christian watchdog group sent 2 faxes a day plus a huge package in the mail demanding "true" Christian leaders to stand up again Senator Barack Obama by notifying congregants of his evil devices. The faxed letter read, "Is your pastor/rabbi/leader mentioning the evil of Senator Obama?....or his he a "holy pontificator"....a church mouse....or a WIMP. (note: this statement read in bold letterface)
I did not know the church had the time to address their preference for presidential candidate. There are way too many problems within the church - leaders are burnt out, the laity has no desire for Bible Study, and some Pastors are upset that their stock (tithes and offerings of the church) is falling in records numbers similar to Wallstreet. Where is the Gospel message in "VOTE FOR ________ "
How is voting for a candidate going to jepordize or benefit my salvation? One of my facebook friends put it this way: When did Jesus become a Democrat, Republican or Independent? I would like to take it a bit further - When did Jesus become American?
Out of the 4.5 yrs spend in two seminary masters programs, never did I read/exegete/interpret America to be Israel. Words like this might appear to some as Anti-American, but so be it. The message of Christ has never been to promote a location, social class, or gender above the other. In Galatians 3:28, Paul says that we are all one in Christ Jesus. This is more than a soteriological equal pay ammendment for the believer. Jesus took no sides. So, why should we feel the need to proselytize congregants in our church, online, or through the mail?
Fortunately, I believe this message will not stick like many wanted the "same sex marriage" issue to in the '04 election. Most voters are a bit more knowledgeable politically thanks to the internet and realize those issues are not controlled by the president. President George W. Bush pushed the "same sex marriage" and "Faith based Initiatives" messages to Christians around the world. These messages became a magnet that helped George Bush get elected by many Christian black voters. But to the dismay of many of those voters, thanks to federalism, individual states began to make their own decisions concerning the matter of "same sex marriage".
Like I said before, I cannot wait until 12am, November 5th. But I am grateful that these past 20months have brought me to the awareness that Jesus cannot be categorized by my superficial labels. If one group calls themselves "evangelical" does that mean the baptist church is anti-preaching the word of God? No.
But Jesus does have a place in all of this - in our hearts and should be acted out in our civic duty everyday.
So, where do you stand in all of this? Have you noticed the recent change in sermons on television or in your local assembly? Do you feel intimidated that your vote does not match with your confession of Christ?
