The Kingdom on Earth? Now? Obama Thinks So . . .

I don't discuss politics much on this blog, but when a presidential candidate tells us that electing him to office might just bring about the kingdom on earth, it merits a response. 

When politicians say stuff like that, they have now ventured into the realm of eschatology, and bad eschatology at that!  Trying to make the point that the democrats don't have to take a backseat to the Republicans when it comes to matters of faith, Barak Obama decided to turn preacher--a temptation which gets the better of far too many a politician.  According to an article on CNN.com (Click here: CNN.com - CNN Political Ticker Obama: GOP doesn’t own faith and values «)

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"During the nearly two hour service that featured a rock band and hip-hop dancers, Obama shared the floor with the church's pastor, Ron Carpenter. The senator from Illinois asked the multiracial crowd of nearly 4,000 people to keep him and his family in their prayers, and said he hoped to be `an instrument of God.'

`Sometimes this is a difficult road being in politics,' Obama said. `Sometimes you can become fearful, sometimes you can become vain, sometimes you can seek power just for power's sake instead of because you want to do service to God. I just want all of you to pray that I can be an instrument of God in the same way that Pastor Ron and all of you are instruments of God.'

He finished his brief remarks by saying, `We're going to keep on praising together. I am confident that we can create a Kingdom right here on Earth.'"

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There's nothing worse than a politician in a pulpit or a preacher confusing the gospel with political activism.  Its just as bad when Republicans do it as when the Democrats do it. 

Christian worship is a divine service of word and sacrament.  God comes to his people to visit us with salvation, to speak to us from his word, to strengthen our faith through the sacraments, to reaffirm his covenant promises.  Christian worship is to be conducted by a minister of the gospel, called for that very purpose.  Such worship is to be supervised by elders who are supposed to make sure the minister is fulfilling his calling.  When these elements are present (the word properly preached and sacraments properly administered), you can be sure that the kingdom of God is present. 

No political pep rally and no amount of political activism will ever "bring about the kingdom" on this earth.  This is a bad example of an over-realized eschatology and an all too secularized understanding of the kingdom.  Didn't Jesus say something about his kingdom being "not of this world?"

Its painfully clear that those politicians who dare to motivate potential voters in a so-called "evangelical" church with the promises that the "kingdom might come" if they are elected to office, have accomplished nothing but demonstrating how little they truly know about the kingdom of God. 

It is also painfully clear that any church which allows them to do this hasn't got a clue about the biblical meaning of the "evangel."  A church which lets a politician into their pulpit during worship is sowing to the flesh, not to the Spirit.

Comments

[Chris Sherman]

I guess we'll have to ask Obama what he meant.
Such a fine line between a definite and an indefinte article.

Either way, I agree with Pastor Riddlebarger when he wrote, "A church which lets a politician into their pulpit during worship is sowing to the flesh, not to the Spirit."

[timinater]

Obama and Hilary have been using churches to gain votes more than any other candidate including both the Bushes. We might see Hilary in the White House if we don't get out there and vote this year. Republicans are not favored to win many seats neither this election in Congress nor the Presidential election.
Not good at all!

[Tyler]

Context shmontext! Basically what I was getting at by emphasizing his "'A' kingdom" statement was that Obama doesn't really know what the kingdom of God looks like, how it behaves, or what it smells like (wooden pews and old hymnals!). So it would make sense for him to use "a."

And yes, Chris, we should look into the Greek transcripts and see if the nominative "kingdom/basileia" was anarthrous!

[zrim]

Tyler,

I thought you left?

Anyway, if that's what you meant you probably just should have said that. I get that and quite agree (although I'd say it smells a lot like bread and wine). You used the wrong avenue to make that point, I think, and end up violating a basic interpretive method (context).

Your dismissal of context is...perplexing. Have you ever taken human communications or Reformed hermeneutics 101?

Zrim

[Robin]

I amazed at all the complaining.

Doesn't The Story say it's supposed to get worse?

Optimistically,

R.

[Tyler]

Hey zrim,

No, I did not leave. But now I'm glad you see where I was going. I was simply using my imagination when describing my initial little story.

Which avenue should I have taken to make my point?

And, I've taken several classes on communication as well as Hermeneutics and Exegesis (which should be done in my opinion, anyway with any text, since exegesis looks at the historical aspect and hermeneutics looks at how the text applies to the "here and now"). Also, taking a comms class in college doesn't mean one won't mistake a blog entry on the internet. I'm speaking here of me trying to read you, and you reading me. Things always work out better in-person anyways. Plus, I'm not used to slowing down and reading every word and every comma, colon, and question mark on blogs. Blogs, for me, are typically a "light" read, where I glance quickly over the entry/entries, and toss up a quick reply. But now that I know we're doing critical textual analysis on this blog, I'll be sure to slow it down a bit. Just for you, zrim! ;P (har har)

[Tyler]

And Robin,

If you're talking about me and zrim arguing, I'd like to assure you we're not. We're simply trying to understand one another. (I know, who'd have thought a blog entry about Obama's ridiculous comments on "the" kingdom would have created so much buzz?)

[zrim]

Tyler,

!!

Oh no, Robin has suggested something about the nature of time and things getting worse...heaven help this thread!

Man/history is not getting any better or worse and time either retreats or progresses.

I take my amill'ism straight up without any need to qualify it as optimistic. Like Ragu and Reformed confesionalism in general..."it's all in there!"

Zrim

[Tyler]

Oh I know, I was simply referring to his/her first comment (sorry Robin, I don't know if you're a male or female) *blush*

And by Robin's salutation of, "Optimistically," could we consider him/her to be post-mil? Aren't post-mil'ers the optimistic ones?

-Ty

[Chris Sherman]

I kinda thought premil/dispy/pretrib- rapture types were the optimistic ones. You'd have to be if you believe that.

[John the ex Baptist]

Let me clarify a few things for you people. Senator Obama's "kingdom" comments were made immediately after noting the many successful ministries of the church he was speaking to. He was speaking in a spiritual sense, not a physical sense.

Also, there was NO, I repeat NO political content to his remarks. They were five or ten short minutes in a two-hour service, just introducing himself to the congregation, and relating a little of his spritual journey. The pastor proceeded to preach for 45 minutes to an hour after that.

Speaking as a member of the church in question and a registered Republican who doesn't plan to vote for the good Senator, I had no problem with him being there or any of his remarks.

I seriously don't see what the big deal is. A visiting elected official (and professing christian) was introduced to the congregation and was greeted warmly. Three Republican office holders were given the same honor a year ago. There was no endorsement of any of them, and one won't be given to this one. We were merely honoring public officials. Nothing more, nothing less.

Peace, y'all

[Pat]

I liked Obama better when he wasn't trying to prove how "christian" he is. Back when he originally ran for senate he once made the comment that he "wasn't running for pastor". Now days he seems to think that's the key to winning. That's a big mistake. But maybe your average voter likes that in a candidate.

[Snowbird]

Just what we need someone else building their own kingdom and people following them blindly because they're making all kinds of promises that they can't possibly keep..probably because it will be vetoed anyway!

[Carla]

I am a born-again Christian and I believe there will be an anti-Christ accordaning to Bible "prophecy"-- based on prophecy according to the Word of God. Therefore, no person can "vote" the anti-Christ into power; he will be destined to take the position whether you vote him in or not. We must be careful in our eschatology not to get ahead of ourselves with our own prejudices and fears. It could be that Obama is just a man with a Muslim name and a good organizer of people. We must be careful not to destroy a man's reputation BECAUSE he speaks of peace. Jimmy Carter is a man of peace (a Christian), yet he was not viewed as an anti-Christ when he ran for Commander in Chief. But because his name is of so-called English origin and he's white, we readily excepted him. But since Obama is black with a Muslim name, we become suspicious of his kindly character. Shame on you all! Perhaps you already have the anti-Christ in office. If I'm not mistaken, Dick Cheney is distantly related to Obama! Are you now suspicious of Cheney? Hmmmm? But you won't go there because Cheney is white and not associated with Muslims. Or is he? Had Barak Obama’s name been Jerry Smith or Henry Jefferson, none of you would be having this discussion right now. I was told as an African-American that evangelical churches could be some of the most prejudices churches on earth. I’m incline to believe that. After all, it was the Protestant churches that formed the KKK. If Dr .Martin Luther King Jr. was running instead of Barak Obama, you people would say the same thing about him. How do I know? Because MLK is black. He was a “Christian” who spoke eloquently--talked of peace and all people coming together as one. No doubt you people make references about his name being linked to a religious reformer of the Catholic faith, or that his last name is “King,” or something of that absurd nature. Even if the anti-Christ was running for the presidency, you people probably wouldn’t recognize him because many of the Jews didn’t recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Beside, the Word of God doesn’t say to “look for the anti-Christ.” It told you to look for Jesus’ return (the Rapture of the Church). As an African-American I use to support pastors like Pat Robinson and John Hagee, but NOT anymore! Pat Robinson would rather have Hillary Clinton on his platform to speak of her “faith” on CBN. Exactly, what is Hillary’s faith? Are we to assume she’s all right because she’s white and a woman, and the anti-Christ won’t be a woman? Regardless, Hillary needs salvation like everyone else because she lies and deceives. I notice, the Bible speaks of a “harlot” which symbolically implies the tendencies of a woman, but I won’t go there. Pat Robinson also endorsed Guillani first, a well-known adulterous who’s mistress was living in his house! And John Hagee endorses John McCain. Will wonders never cease? Look up John McCain’s name in the Wikipedia and you will see his history. Yes, he’s a hero, but he also uses profanity like a sailor and has a known temper! I actually liked Huckabee. Too bad he’s not in the running. But getting back on the subject of Obama as the anti-Christ . . . . I believe you people should pray more and study your Bibles carefully. Because let’s face it, the Bible also said the following in Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Notice, to “revile”-- to verbally attack someone; say all manner of evil “FALSELY” against a Christian for God’s sake. Could it be that false statements are being made against a godly man? After all, many said false things against Martin Luther King Jr, who was a godly man.

Be wise (Jas. 1:19)

[Carla]

I am a born-again Christian and I believe there will be an anti-Christ according to Bible "prophecy"-- based on prophecy according to the Word of God. Therefore, no person can "vote" the anti-Christ into power; he will be destined to take the position whether you vote him in or not. We must be careful in our eschatology not to get ahead of ourselves with our own prejudices and fears. It could be that Obama is just a man with a Muslim name and a good organizer of people. We must be careful not to destroy a man's reputation BECAUSE he speaks of peace. Jimmy Carter is a man of peace (a Christian), yet he was not viewed as an anti-Christ when he ran for Commander in Chief. But because his name is of so-called English origin and he's white, we readily excepted him. But since Obama is black with a Muslim name, we become suspicious of his kindly character. Shame on you all! Perhaps you already have the anti-Christ in office. If I'm not mistaken, Dick Cheney is distantly related to Obama! Are you now suspicious of Cheney? Hmmmm? But you won't go there because Cheney is white and not associated with Muslims. Or is he? Had Barak Obama’s name been Jerry Smith or Henry Jefferson, none of you would be having this discussion right now. I was told as an African-American that evangelical churches could be some of the most prejudices churches on earth. I’m incline to believe that. After all, it was the Protestant churches that formed the KKK. If Dr .Martin Luther King Jr. was running instead of Barak Obama, you people would say the same thing about him. How do I know? Because MLK is black. He was a “Christian” who spoke eloquently--talked of peace and all people coming together as one. No doubt you people make references about his name being linked to a religious reformer of the Catholic faith, or that his last name is “King,” or something of that absurd nature. Even if the anti-Christ was running for the presidency, you people probably wouldn’t recognize him because many of the Jews didn’t recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Besides, the Word of God doesn’t say to “look for the anti-Christ.” It told you to look for Jesus’ return (the Rapture of the Church). As an African-American I use to support pastors like Pat Robinson and John Hagee, but NOT anymore! Pat Robinson would rather have Hillary Clinton on his platform to speak of her “faith” on CBN. Exactly, what is Hillary’s faith? Are we to assume she’s all right because she’s white and a woman, and the anti-Christ won’t be a woman? Regardless, Hillary needs salvation like everyone else because she lies and deceives. I notice, the Bible speaks of a “harlot” which symbolically implies the tendencies of a woman, but I won’t go there. Pat Robinson also endorsed Guillani first, a well-known adulterous whose mistress was living in his house! And John Hagee endorses John McCain. Will wonders never cease? Look up John McCain’s name in the Wikipedia and you will see his history. Yes, he’s a hero, but he also uses profanity like a sailor and has a known temper! I actually liked Huckabee. Too bad he’s not in the running. But getting back on the subject of Obama as the anti-Christ . . . . I believe you people should pray more and study your Bibles carefully. Because let’s face it, the Bible also said the following in Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Notice, to “revile”-- to verbally attack someone; say all manner of evil “FALSELY” against a Christian for God’s sake. Could it be that false statements are being made against a godly man? After all, many said false things against Martin Luther King Jr, who was a godly man.

Be wise (Jas. 1:19)