This past Sunday I taught my class from Romans 13:11-14 which says:
11Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (ESV) more »
I recently read an email that is going around among Christian groups condemning Barack Obama. The condemnation is not based on the political policies or history of the candidate or even on the things that Obama has said. Sadly, the condemnation of the man is based on his heritage. The email points out that Obama’s biological father was a Muslim from Kenya and that his step-father, who raised him, was a radical Muslim. It points out that his mother was an Atheist and that Obama himself attended a Wahabi school, which is apparently a radical leaning Muslim school. It also cynically states that Obama went to a Catholic school and joined a United Church of Christ. The email suggest that his affiliation with the United Church of Christ is only an attempt to assuage the fears of Christians that Obama is some sort of sleeper Muslim who will destroy our Christian freedoms and country if elected, which the email argues is indeed the case.
Not a single mention is made of Obama’s political positions, voting history, or even the words of his own speeches. The email is tantamount to religious bigotry and is an embarrassment to the Christian community. Christians should stop allowing themselves to be political pawns, having their fears and ignorance played upon and used by political pundits and hate mongers.
Barack Obama is not the candidate for the Christian, but not because of his parent’s beliefs, where he was born, or where he was educated. Granted, there is some concern, but since when do we judge a man based on the things of his background that were out of his control. Judge the man on his words and deeds.
The type of email that I have described angers me, because it caters to the stereotypical image of Christians as bigots, fear mongers, and ignorant and religiously arrogant people. We must stop playing this role. If Christians want to be politically active, then they should do so with integrity, love and graciousness. You who would condemn a man because his father was a Muslim and his mother was an Atheist, is your genealogy without flaw, is your heritage free of stain. It is only by God’s grace that perhaps you have a Christian heritage and have a Christian worldview. Is it not possible that by God’s grace a Muslim/Atheist raised boy could grow to be a God-fearing Christian man?
I’m not saying Obama is a Christian. I’m not saying that he is not a Christian. I’m saying, judge him by his fruit not by his original roots. Be Gracious.
I was recently talking with a close friend about the seeming harshness of Christianity’s claim to the exclusive means for salvation, i.e. through belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who died on a cross, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. I completely understood his trouble with that truth claim because it leaves a vast amount of the earth’s population without any hope for salvation and condemns them to hell. This does seem harsh. I tried to think of the best way to respond, and the only thought that came to my mind was that it is consistent with the Christian faith to declare this truth as taught in the Bible as a loving act of kindness toward those who do not believe this truth. In fact, to hide this truth from the unbeliever is callous and uncaring if indeed I believe that it is true.
However, the Christian’s claim of exclusive access to God and salvation has been labeled as intolerant. In reading a book today -”Promoting the Gospel” by John Dixon the truth about tolerance has become clearer to me. Dixon writes, “True tolerance does not involve accepting every viewpoint as true and valid; it involves treating with love and humility someone whose opinions you believe to be untrue and invalid.”
This statement confirms my belief that being tolerant of other beliefs does not dictate that I stop believing what I believe. What it does dictate is that while I consistently hold and proclaim my belief, I also treat with respect and dignity those who disagree with me and whom I am attempting to convince to believe as I believe.
Christians have been labeled as intolerant, I think, for two reasons. One, because people find our beliefs to be repulsive, which should not surprise us given the Bible tells us that the natural man (or the lost) will consider the gospel foolish and those who believe it, fools. Second, because Christians in their evangelistic efforts have often been unkind, disrespectful and prejudicial toward those who disagree with them and hold opposing views.
If we truly want to be tolerant, we must learn to hold our beliefs dearly, proclaim them clearly, and love others passionately, treating them with kindness and respect.
