A Different Gospel

[dave c]

A HEALING SHELTER MINISTRIES #119c Written 12MAR08 http://groups.msn.com/AHealingShelter/welcome.msnw

A Different Gospel

by dave c

In response to a question posed by a local pastor during an appearance in Nelsonville, Ohio, Presidential candidate, Barack Obama replied: "I believe in civil unions that allow a same-sex couple to visit each other in a hospital or transfer property to each other," Obama said, referring to unions that provide all the legal benefits of marriage but the title, according to Christian Broadcasting Network. "I don't think it should be called marriage, but I think that it is a legal right that they should have that is recognized by the state. ¶ “If people find that controversial, then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans,” the Democratic presidential candidate contends. “That's my view. But we can have a respectful disagreement on that." ¶ Media agencies speculate that Obama was referring to Matthew 7:12: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” [As quoted from Jennifer Riley; Christian Post Reporter; Tue, Mar. 04 2008 04:37 PM ET]

If you are a theologically conservative, Bible believing Christian in thought, word, and deed I assume that all kinds of alarms are going off in your spirit and mind after reading the above paragraph. If not, try rereading it. If you still don’t hear anything like a tornado siren—for all kinds of reasons—you need to take your spiritual pulse to see if you really are alive in Christ. The Sermon on the Mount supports same-sex unions/marriage? The First Chapter of Romans contains obscure passages? Come on! When any “pro-same-sex-union” public figure uses socio-political arguments to establish their views, that’s something that we can argue about in terms of being immoral, disease-ridden, and culturally destructive; but when a person attempts to use the Bible to support what is pointedly and repeatedly condemned by Scripture (both OT and NT)—that person has entered a whole new realm with which we must critically disagree.

I have heard radically bigoted purveyors of hate try to use the Bible to support racial prejudice and segregation. I have heard bombastic, ignorant sexists misrepresent the content and the intent of Scripture in an attempt to justify the denigration and subjugation of women. Isn’t Obama demonstrating this same kind of lack of basic understanding of the nature and power of the Word when he distorts verses to fit his agenda and political posturing? Or is it OK because he and his supporters feel that it’s for a good cause? Do they know the difference between portraying truth as a constancy established for Christians by, and within, the Canon of Scripture by God, Himself; and the ever shifting shadows of Machiavellian expediency (i.e., eclectic pragmatism)? Do they care that there is a difference?

During the last national election we witnessed those who are obviously card carrying Humanists (even if they fly the flag of Liberal Theology Christians) fall on their faces when they attempt to cry out, “Hey, I go to church, too!” Think of Jim Kerry telling a crowd in 2004 that his favorite verse is John 16:3 (look it up—talk about irony). That may have been a typo, or a slip of the tongue, but I can’t help feel that it was spiritually revelatory—as well as demonstrating his, and his speech writers, lack of Biblical knowledge and experience. Holy Scripture holds authority within our lives because it points to Jesus, who holds authority over all of creation. To say that the Bible advocates homosexuality and their legal union/marriage, is to say that they are advocated by Jesus, Himself. This is a blasphemous untruth. Throughout the Bible we are taught that sex is to be contained exclusively within marriage, and marriage is to be between one man and one woman (e.g.; Ge 2:24; Ex 20:14; Le 20:10-21; Mt 19:5; Ro 1:24-32; 1Co 6:9; 1Ti 3:2/3:12; Ti 1:6).

You can say what you like about me, but leave my mother, my wife, and my kids out of it—unless you want a fight. It is the same with Christianity. If Barack wants to champion homosexuality as a normative lifestyle, that’s up to him and those with whom he resonates. I more than disagree with them and I will fight that position with every means permitted by law and common decency. But don’t try to misuse Jesus, the Bible, or the Church as if they were your personal cans of Play Dough. They are not yours to mold into idols made after your own image and likeness.

I tell you what scares me...I like listening to Obama speak. He is more than just a gifted orator. He is a preacher by inclination and intonation. A seductive, political preacher. But when he starts referencing Scripture while preaching his gospel to those who don’t know any better—or who don’t care—he becomes something more than just a Presidential candidate. He becomes a pseudo-spiritual demagogue. Now that’s really scary.