The Christian Response to President Obama
Finally. Finally, it’s over. After almost 2 years of campaigning, America has a new president. President-elect Barack Obama literally swept over John McCain in an election that didn’t keep us up past midnight wondering about hanging chads, recounts, or narrow margins. We are truly waking up today in a new country, due to the historic nature of this election. It would’ve been historic either way, but to live today in a country that just elected it’s first African-American president after being segregated so few years ago is a huge moment in history. However, there is unrest still.
Over the past few weeks I, as well as my other brothers and sisters in the faith, have been bombarded with anti-Obama messages. Some of them are factual, some of them aren’t, and some are so far into outer space that they aren’t relevant. These messages usually relate to one of two issues: things the Democratic Party stands for, or the background of Mr. Obama. Whether those messages are right or wrong is a non-issue now, as our country has elected him. The issue now is whether the American people will support him, and more importantly, whether we as Christians will support him.
Romans 13:1-2 states, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” I believe that we as Christians are included in that statement. It is our duty to support and follow the leadership of those authorities set up over us. Now, certainly, there are times when discontent and rebellion are the only way, but honestly, this isn’t one of those times. We are called to be peacemakers. You may not like Barack Obama. You don’t have to. But you do have to love him. We are called to be people are love.
This is all assuming, however, that John McCain is God’s choice for president. Watching the news last night, it certainly seemed that way, as most evangelical Christians were voting for McCain. But, to assume that one man or woman is God’s choice and the other is not is to put God in a box and try to be God ourselves. Sure, a person can hold Christian values. They can be shown going to church, or praying, or serving. But when the cameras are off, the microphones are put away, and the reporters go home, who are they really? This isn’t an attack on McCain. This can be said about ALL of the candidates. But, the reality is that God is not a Republican, nor is He a Democrat. God’s choice for president is whoever He chooses, be it for a time of goodness and prosperity or a time of persecution and suffering. God is on his throne no matter who is president.
This morning, as the sun broke over the horizon, we awoke to a new world. Things have changed dramatically since we went to sleep last night, due to a historic vote. Now, it’s time for God’s people to be His hands and feet. You don’t have to like Barack Obama, his policies, his cabinet, or his principles. You do have to love him. You need to pray for him. You need to pray for this country. And you don’t need to act like this country is going to fall apart because of one man. This country is still it’s people, and the people need Jesus. The Christian response to the presidency of Barack Obama is going to be critical to the way people see Jesus, and Christ-followers. What will you do?
This is why you are one of my favorite people. Thank you for saying this; I can’t begin to thank you enough.
I know a lot of people who were slinging scripture last night, but not one wanted to talk about this passage in Romans. Not one.
We have a real chance for change. Obviously the rest of the country thinks a lot differently than “The Bible Belt”, and maybe we have to just admit that eventhough most of the people from our area are literally angry this morning, God is still in control. God is still working.
Barack has said many times that he seeks God’s Wisdom. It is time that we stand behind our newly elected President, and pray that God provides him wisdom.
May God continue to bless our country.
I wish you and Erin lived closer. Or that we lived closer to you guys.
Check out the Derek Webb article here for his thoughts on the election: http://www.patrolmag.com/times/922/how-shall-we-then-vote
I read it, and I don’t agree with it. Now, if he were saying that there was no candidate to vote for, then I might. But, in his main point, he is still only giving support to a two party system. There are plenty of third party candidates who would love a vote from someone that truly believed in them, and it seems like Derek is skipping over those people. Plus, the old saying is true: if you don’t vote, don’t complain.
[...] The Christian Response to President Obama – A considered evaluation of how American Christians should respond to Obama’s election (regardless of whether they supported him). Importantly, it highlights the apologetic significance of the way Christians respond to this. The church and especially the evangelical church were judged harshly for their support of Bush and tolerance is low for petulance and pettiness dressed up as “faith.” [...]
Fernando’s Desk » Bloggers Respond To Obama’s Win said this on November 6, 2008 at 6:28 am |
I read your post, but I feel I must disagree with it. I sincerely do hope that the new administration lead by President-elect Obama does affect some positive change in this country. We need to get back on track. However, where I disagree is with position that Christianity has anything to do with Office of the President. God did not establish the constitution that created the Office of President. 56 brave souls that decided to save themselves and this country did, and they came from different religious backgrounds. My issues with Barack Obama have nothing to do with religion. They deal with his lack of experience on foreign relations and his indifference on issues that required his vote while he was supposed to be representing those people that elected him to the Senate. He is a man tha thas been hired to do a job. He gets paid a salary to do that job. I sincerely hope he does his job well.