President-Elect Obama
Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 09:19AM 
I didn't vote for him. But he is our new president. Given the angst so many Christians feel about an Obama presidency, it may be a good idea to take a step back and consider the following . . .
First, this is not the end of the world. It is not even the end of the Republic. Yes, the city of man has lurched hard-left. That happens once in a while. And then over time it drifts back to the center, and then lurches right again. This is what the city of man does. The reality is that the city of man is not any more amenable to Christianity when the lurch is toward the right than it is when it is lurching left. That is the nature of the city of man.
I am old enough to remember a fair bit of this lurching: Kennedy (center-left), Johnson (left), Nixon (right-center), Ford (center-right) Carter (left), Reagan (right), Bush 41 (center-right), Clinton (center-left), Bush 43 (right-center), and now Obama (left? left-center?). Life goes on folks.
Second, since we are simultaneously citizens of two kingdoms (the kingdom of God and the city of man) I certainly hope we find it within ourselves to sincerely wish our new president well, and fervently pray for God's blessing upon him and his new administration (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Our nation is facing a severe economic crisis. We are deeply divided along political and racial lines. There is great resentment about the war in Iraq, and great uncertainty about what to do about Iran and Israel. Our new president faces a daunting task in leading a divided nation in a very uncertain time. He truly needs our prayers. The American presidency is one huge job.
Third, if Obama isn't up to the job, then all of us will suffer. If he is everything that his most ardent supporters claim that he is, he still faces a task which can overwhelm the even greatest of men. So, let us hope and pray that Obama will capably fulfill his office and lead our nation forward through this tough time. There is too much at stake here for the partisans among us to cynically wish that Obama will fail so that Republicans can get the White House back in 2012. Now is the time for partisan politics to go on hiatus. We don't yet know what Obama will do. But we do owe President-Elect Obama the benefit of the doubt for the time being.
Far and away, the worst president of my life-time was Jimmy Carter. He wasn't an ideological leftist or a socialist (although he governed as one). Carter was a nice man (and a professing Christian) who was an inept president. But his ineptitude hurt all Americans--remember gas lines, hostages left in Iran for 444 days, and stagflation? So, I hope Obama is all that is advertised, because I don't want to suffer through that stuff again. It was a horrible time for many Americans.
Fourth, now that we have our first African-American president, let us also hope and pray for real and lasting racial reconciliation. May the Obama presidency heal the wounds that so many African-Americans deeply feel and which white Americans can't truly understand. That said, while there will always be racism in the city of man, I hope African-Americans realize that it was white Americans who elected the first black president. That is huge. Just twenty years ago, such a thing was unthinkable. This is a real chance to heal old wounds, right old wrongs, and then move on. Let us pray this happens!
Fifth, there is every possibility that Obama will seek to implement a far-left, socialist agenda. But there is also the possibility that Obama will be a centrist, and that he will govern from the left-center like Bill Clinton did. Remember, it is far easier to run for president and make all kinds of outlandish promises to your various constituencies, than it is to actually govern. The struggle to keep power will pull Obama back to the center, even if his instincts are to go hard-left. This what happens once you live inside the beltway and you grow to like that address @ 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Should Obama actually succeed in pushing forward the socialist, pro-abortion agenda which so many fear, many of the anti-Bush and union voters who elected him will turn on him, and his "rock-star" popularity will quickly evaporate. The mid-term elections will likely see that huge Democrat majority bounced right out of Congress. Weakness in a national crisis, or a prolonged recession and/or a deepening economic crisis will also really hurt Obama--along with the rest of us. It won't be long before we find out whether or not that suit was empty, or if Obama has the mettle for the job.
Finally, there is a fundamental question here. Why wouldn't we want Obama to succeed? Are partisan politics really more important than the well-being of the nation? This is one of those periods when there are great national changes afoot, and this is truly a time to hope for the best (in terms of God's providence) for our beloved country. But we also need to hold Obama's feet to the fire (in terms of his campaign promises) and not be so naive as to think that the city of man (or President Obama) has any real answers to life's ultimate problems. I doubt very seriously that if John McCain had been elected president the millennium would begin on January 21, 2009.
This is going to be a very tough term of office for any president. So, it is our duty to pray for our new president, and wish him and our nation well. Meanwhile let us go about our callings and vocations as Christian citizens doing what Paul told us to do, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12:18), all the while not forgetting the words of the Psalmist (143), "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish."
Reader Comments (76)
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
(ESV)
Praise God!
Mark
Number one we all agree abortion is a terrible sin. Legislation may or may not be the best way to deal with that issue however. Perhaps supporting alternatives financially and otherwise might be more effective. If we spent half the energy and dollars we spend on trying to overturn Roe v. Wade on supporting pregnant women, encouraging carrying to term and adoption, we would be far more successful in curtailing abortion. We need to deal with this issue one person at a time and change the culture that encourages abortion rather than continuously itting a wall trying to legislate on this issue. (As an aside I point out that even if Roe v. Wade were reversed tomorrow, while that would be a good thing, abortion would be legal in at least 40 states the very next day as legislators scrambled to pass laws permitting it-the unsaved voters at large wants abortion, and legislators will give it to them to get re-elected. So we need to approach this issue in a manner other than the way we have been.)
Number 2, I am not a single issue voter. I am electing a leader of the country. Hypothetically, if we were to vote for an anti-abortion candidate who would utterly destroy the nation would you call that a good choice? Even Martin Luther preferred the rule of a wise Turk to that of a foolish Christian.
Number 3, quite frankly a 1% possibility of a Sarah Pailin presidency was a risk I was unwilling to take. (Before her selection I was leaning McCain). I also viewed McCain as more and more erratic and the Republicans feeding their supporters an ugly, mean spirited campaigning. Perhaps reaching its nadir in Elizabeth Dole's blasphemous TV ads-misusing the very name of God for political gain.
Now to your views. You will not pray for your leaders even though commanded to do so by Scripture. ummmmmm. I don't get that. You state you "cannot support his socialism, pro-abortion, class envy, gov't spread the wealth around policies" Sounds like you are worked up over far more than just abortion. Does Scripture mandate a position on all the other things too? Sounds like you are conflating your political views with your theology. There is moralistic quality to your posts that does not seem very upward looking, but is more horizontal this world centered.
It is late and I grow tired, so I will stop here. Forgive my tone if it is harsh. I will end by saying "amen" to Alando's post in response to your first one.
I would just like to remind everyone that God COMMANDS us to pray for our country and its leaders. It is not a suggestion that can be ignored if you don't like your leader. It is a command. Period.
There is a lot with which to agree in your post.
But how would you answer this objection:
You say, "We need to deal with this issue one person at a time and change the culture that encourages abortion rather than continuously itting a wall trying to legislate on this issue."
Objection: The unborn do not have time to wait for the world to get its act together; they just want to make it out alive. Changing the world so that the situations that precipitate abortions is a very nice idea but much too unrealistic. Just as poor people don't have time to be taught how to fish, the unborn don't have time to wait for the world to get better.
I have sympathy for this objection, probably because it comports with my objections against forms of transformationalism. Yet, I also have strong hestitations against the pro-life movement in all its anti-Calvinism, moralism and impious righteous indignation.
I understand this objection and if I thought a change in court precedents or legislation would actually achieve the end of significantly reducing abortion I might be more incllined to go there. However the conclusions I have drawn are that a majority of the voters in most states (at least the blue ones) will never vote to ban abortion and at best we can achieve the very type of incremental legislation that the "right" vehemently opposes, i.e., the most passable version of a ban on partial birth abortions or parental consent laws. Real impact on the numbers will require God changing people's hearts one at a time by using people to preach the message one on one and letting that reshaped focus work its way into a cultural change (if possible).
As an aside the futility of laws is demonstrated by an event that happened in 1970 while I was in college, which I remember vividly. A guy in my dorm got his girlfriend pregnant. He scraped together $200 somehow and purchased a package trip to London for a weekend for her which was almost iterally advertised as "visit London, have an abortion, and return home".
I would think if all abortion opponents sought common ground on laws which can be passed, supported (financially and through voluntyeering) groups which helped women chose alernatives to aborting and spoke to friends and collegues about the issue in a non-adversarial manner this would be more effective. If a president looked into the camera and used the bully pulpit to encourage alternatives and to explain why killing the unborn is wrong, rather than to push a piece of legilation but to persuade (2 Cor. 5:11), how much more effective.
I agree with your concluding statements, we need less moralism and indignation and more persuading with grace.
it is refreshing to hear someone who actually seems to grasp just what Roe and its reversal means, etc. For my part, when it comes to the legislation issues, I would be quite happy with a return to states' rights. I am never satisfied on this one with the notions of individual rights to either women or feti.
However, I must shrink from what I consider the religious idealism which assumes that conversion "makes bad people good and good people better" (a Riddlebargerism I have always treasured). Sinners are always more sinful than not, even justified ones being sanctified. Besides, I think the NT has a lot more to say about the sexual ethics of believers than what to do with the unwanted pregnancy as a result of violations.
In previous years, I've been very active in Republican politics in our area, so in the last few days I've had lots of folks ask me what I thought of Obama's victory, expecting me to tee off on the absurdity of electing a Marxist, pro-abortionist, etc. Instead, I just calmly reply that I've spoken with the guy in charge of everything, and He's promised me He will continue to provide all I need. When they ask who that is, I respond by asking them if they'd like to speak with Him, as He's right here with us. Then they get it.
I see two opportunities to advance the gospel in this situation. Obama supporters have generally abandoned logic by emotionally investing all of their hope and security in Obama and the government. When it soon becomes apparent that this hope has been misplaced, the Church needs to stand ready to provide the absolute truth these supporters have been unable to find.
People like myself, who truly understand the serious repercussions leftist policies will have on our country, who like many of the previous posters will have trouble honestly praying for Obama, need the gospel message just as much. My human instinct tells me to fight against this enemy of liberty, to sow the seeds of discontent, to hope Obama's reign will quickly end in scandal. Yet, the gospel tells me to pray for my enemy, submit to my leaders and trust in God's providence no matter the circumstance. This doesn't mean we abandon our cause or stop advancing the principles upon which this country was founded, it just means that we (I) must learn that trusting in these principles, no matter how pure and logical they may be, rather than trusting in God is just as idolatrous as putting all of one's hope in Obama.
This is a ridiculous thing to say.
Can one actually be a christian and not be born again?
If you arent born again, you arent a christian..
Why say the same thing twice?
My original post said that I would not pray against Obama, but that I could not "yet" pray for him.
Are you immediately obedient to all of Scriptures commands?
It will be interesting to see how the race issue is handled by the Obama administration- not just between Whites and Blacks. I think the issue between Hispanics and Blacks is much more volatile these days.
Excellent point! In fact, this is one of those issues that always irritates me when I read the interviewing criteria that George Barna uses when he conducts his polling. "Born again" seems to mean different things to various denominations. I can claim to have been born again when I was baptized as an infant and I assume that most in the Reformed camp would agree (as a sacrament has been performed, creating faith in the believer through the work of the HS).
There are many, however, (and I think Barna is one of them) who would point out that this is false, that one can only be born again through synergistic means, using adult baptism seemingly as little more than a public platform to declare one's "decision" to the congregation. The majority of American Evangelicals, in fact, have this view. So, although using the expression "born again Christian" is redundant, it appears as though it is especially used by this latter group as a way of applying this qualifying seal of approval to the process.
I think that it may be true that the race relations between hispanics and blacks may be more volatile. I think the reason for this is because they interact more and live in the same neighborhoods. To see white people where I live is weird. I remember that as a kid, I would rarely see white people. When I ended going to a middle school a few miles away from home, the white people I encountered seemed unreal; I only saw white people on television and at certain places like the mall. Due to the mixed background of Hispanics, from light to dark, the "white" hispanics didn't seem odd because they were culturally the same like me, part of my family, and spoke Spanish.
I should also add that some Republicans have been aggravating race relations between hispanics and blacks. One Republican candidate for state office was trying to entice black people to vote for him by saying that hispanics, due to immigration, were racially cleansing black people. I have heard some conservative talk radio say the same in the past.
The Minute Men did something very stupid a few months ago that got me very angry. They came to a nearby High School to protest against illegal immigration (though they seem to protest for even less legal immigration also) after a race riot at the school. That got me very angry. These people just came here and aggravated the tense relations in that area even more. The hispanic students felt targeted, and I'm sure those students who participated in the riot and fought against the hispanics felt validated. All that these people do in these situations is harden the hearts of young hispanics, and even make them hate this country. They should stay out of our neighborhood because once they leave, then we have to deal with angry neighbors.
I should also point out that the ones who were trying to heal relations were people from the school and community, specifically Democrats. I am thankful that regular and prominent people in the black community have attempted to keep the peace.
I am not sure the Church has been much help about these issues. Race issues are more of a political problem than a Church problem and race issues are raised more by politicians than Church leaders. I am wondering how race relations fit into the two-kingdom theology scheme. Is it more of a political issue or a theological issue? How active should the Church be about solving race issues?
I spent a year in Iraq. I heard the religious right say "God Bless America" while the Iraqis were dying without our love.
I am glad the church gave me the real Jesus. With out him, I too would be looking for a political messiah.
Second, the use of the word socialism is just ridiculous. Obama wants more funding of programs that will help the majority of people in the US. Why shouldn't we spread the wealth? As Christians, do you not believe that one should help the less fortunate? How is Obama's plan to increase healthcare for everybody, engage in conversations with enemies to attempt to resolve conflict, and be proactive about saving the earth inconsistent with the Christian set of values? Conservative policies typically lean in the direction of "every man for himself" - how can Christians buy into this?
Last, why do you think he doesn't believe in the same God you do? He is not a Muslim; he doesn't worship satan; etc. Please check your facts before posting such ridiculousness.
I believe he was raised on hate in a church that taught hate. This should be a nation of peace. I find it so pathetic that the children who want to form any religeous activity, either before or after school may do so at the farthest point from the school near the road but in close enogh not to be hit. They meet in extreme heat and extreme cold. I find a nation built on Christian values to behave better than than. Mr. Onama will have tem probably meeting in the middle of the nearest highway median.
As for me and my home we worship the LORD. My most fervert ptayer is that he is kept save as President Kennedy was let down by many on that horrid day.
MHH