Another Pointless Attack

I will probably get a lot of grief for this from some people, but I will go ahead and say it - I actually liked most of what President Obama said at the recent National Prayer Breakfast and I am having a hard time understanding the outrage over his comments.

Go ahead and lecture me about the Crusades and how they were a "necessary" response to the Muslim invasions in prior years. Tell me how ignorant I am of the historical facts. Give me the details of the brutality of the Muslims.  Lay out all the reasons why the Crusades were justified. It doesn't really matter to me, because that just tells me you missed the point.

I am not a historian, but I am willing to bet that there was a fair amount of killing during the Crusades, in the name of Jesus, that was not justifiable by any translation of the Bible. If you are offended by the mention of the Crusades, I'm sure we could recall plenty of other historical events where "Christians" in misled zealousness, committed horrendous acts against mankind. To say that those professing faith in Jesus have never participated in brutality would be ignorant. The fact that the President happened to use the Crusades to make his point is, ultimately irrelevant. He was not trying to rewrite history, he was trying to make a point about the dangers of overzealousness in faith of all kinds. He was making the point that even we Christians, have skeletons in our closets, so we should be careful about our own righteous indignation. No matter what the topic, a reminder about humility and warnings against arrogance, should always be welcome in our faith. 

But instead of trying to find common ground with a man who claims to be our brother in Christ, not to mention our country's most important leader, many Christians have, once again, decided to go on the attack. The religious right, who equate blind patriotism to Christian faith, have thrown aside all notions of of grace, mercy, fairness and love and have chosen instead to belittle, deride and accuse. As much as I disagree with many Obama tactics and policies, I am more nauseated by the constant spewing of hatred by people who profess to follow Christ.

Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good. For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves. Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king. (1 Peter 2:13-17 NET)

I know this passage is much more popular, for some, when there is a Republican in office, but I don't think Peter was really thinking about party affiliation when he wrote those words. I think Peter was thinking much more about what Jesus wanted him (and us) to do and how he wanted us to act, regardless of who is in authority over us. Given the situations around the world, I would think this is a much easier command for us to follow than many of our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. But rather than give Obama any respect or honor, supposed followers of Christ hurl insults at him like they are trying to knock over milk bottles at a carnival. They laugh at his expense and try to outdo one another in the creativity of their attacks. Why do we see such behavior as acceptable? Why do we treat such brazen disrespect as sport? Why do we feel the need to tear down our leader? Why do we suppose to know his heart as well as God does, so that we can determine whether he is Christian or not? Why is this okay and why is the church okay with the way Christians are acting?

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘ Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:21-22 NIV)

I did not like all of Obama's speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, but if I see it all in context, it seems that he is much closer to the message that Jesus preached than many of the conservative right who claim to have sole possessions of Biblical truth. Obama's message was not one of hate, it was a message of humility, caution, and justice. The only hate seems to be coming from the very people that should be known most by their love. 

I guess Obama could even be said to be a little prophetic in his speech, when he said, "There is a tendency in us, a sinful tendency that can pervert and distort our faith." We are really good at recognizing such tendencies in others and in larger scales, but it is unfortunate that we are so blinded to those tendencies in ourselves. I would also argue that ignoring the truth of scripture is just as bad as distorting it. If you think you are guilty of neither, I would suggest you read more of the Sermon on the Mount.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (Matthew 5:43-47 NIV)