It doesn't Wright a Wrong...

Even here in Canada, you cannot turn on a television without seeing some reference to the (currently) favoured Democratic candidate, and his mentor's addled rantings.

I am, or course, referring to Obama's "pastor" Jeremiah Wright.

Those whose job it is to spin the news -- for and against him -- are all working overtime right now. Obama made a "landmark" speech on Race relations, the transcript of which can be read here. We were forced to endure endless parades of supposed experts speculating about what effect this will have on the electoral process, or race relations, and whether Wright's vitriol was shared by Obama, among other questions.

I find myself reflecting on two things, particularly:

What does this say about the man, Barack Obama?
What does this say about the preacher and his congregation as a whole?

If you saw the clips, did you notice the facial expressions of the crowd?

While Wright was damning people en masse because their skin is too light, and the country as a whole, the crowd did not betray one iota of shock, surprise, disbelief, disagreement, outrage, or similar appropriate reaction. This didn't blindside them. In fact, they didn't even appear to disagree with it. It was something to which they were accustomed. This flies in the face of some carefully nuanced words previously implying that the Senator was not present during any such message, and [so it was implied] was ignorant Wright's ever saying such things.

What does that matter?

Well, for someone trying to get a read on the Senator's judgment, it matters a great deal. Obama counts this Jeremiah Wright as a "mentor" or as an "uncle".

Some have suggested that Spiritual matters have no bearing on one's public life, and that he is simply a Spiritual advisor. You go to your barber, or doctor, or dentist, they say, to take care of some part of you, but you don't ask them for their political opinion. That quaint notion may have a warm and fuzzy appeal to the post-modern mind, but what does that mean exactly?

First, what does a 'Spiritual Advisor' do? Forget any images of Oracles of Delphi, Jojo's psychic alliance, or the Church of Elvis. A 'spiritual advisor', as the Secular media so crassly puts it, lays a foundation of the core principals that should guide someone's life.

A genuine pastor, for instance, will faithfully preach the Gospel from the Bible. He will not distort it, embellish it, or make it serve his political leanings. He will preach the Cross of Christ, and our need for redemption. These values become the fountainhead of his worldview, his beliefs on God, on ethics, on responsibility, on community, on the role of government, on humanity and human interaction, and so on.

Consider the word "mentor" for a minute. Several dictionaries define it as a "wise and trusted advisor." In the course of twenty years, the Senator has sat under this teaching. He has been married there. He has had his children baptized there. When you sit under Christian teaching, the intention is that one's thinking be shaped by what is being taught. Romans 12:1-2. It's called Discipleship. The apostle Paul said "follow me as I follow Christ." Jesus commanded that we go and "make disciples" of all nations.

Let us examine this mentor of his.
He is one of two things: he is either:
-"over-zealous in this one area", but generally within the bounds of legitimate Christianity, or
- a fraud who is using the guise of Christianity to push his personal agenda.

What do people point to for Wright's credibility? Military service, 4 (count 'em four!) earned degrees, several decades' worth of leading a church, and (drumroll please) a litany of public works projects. Aids programs, counselling centers, housing and who knows what else.

Ok, let's vet that list against Scripture to see if these credentials are the litmus test of a worthwhile leader.

1 Cor 13:2,3 -- And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

The portion in red indicates his credentials. The part in purple describes how to measure their worth. They are only valid insofar as he HAS love.

Are you surprised that these things are not necessarily a measure of 'love' in the Christian sense?

Let's examine his statements.

Wright called for God's wrath on USA. "God d-mn America!"

Compare to:

1 Tim 2:1-4 1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Luke 6:27,28 But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Rom 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Wright speaks derisively about "White" people.

1 John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Matt 7:22, 23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The congregation likes the notion of meeting as a 'Black church.' They place their ethnicity/culture and not the Eternal Son of God as the foundation of their meetings. They do not embrace the message of Ephesians that we are no longer diverse people pitted against one another, but brothers in Christ. Our identity is found in Him, not our in nationality or skin colour.

The congregation sets themselves against the very Word of God in this issue. Wrong belief breeds wrong action. They are focused on that which divides, not Christ who unites. Thus, they can justify hate in their own mind as acceptable or at least understandable. Eternal life is shelved in favor of temporal gain.

Jesus gets demoted to token Cameo, walk-on appearances.

The crowd is given over to their itching ears.

And Obama, the would-be President, is among them.

If he cannot detect a fraud like his "Pastor", how is he fit to run the cash at a corner store, let alone be given the most powerful position in the free world?

By the way, if you wanted to know the ACTUAL credentials for a Christian leader? You can find them here and here.