2008-11-05 03:00:21

Change has come: Obacalypse Now?

Filed under: Faith,Justice,News,Politics
Posted by: Craig

Did you weep?   As Barack Obama was announced as President-elect, I cried for a while.   Whether you shed tears of joy or disappointment, we all witnessed a historic victory.   I never dreamed that our country would elect a black president in my lifetime.   Our nation seemed too haunted by our past.  In 1964, as the Civil Rights movement began, Sam Cooke sang, “A Change is Gonna Come.”  Yet, after a remarkable voter turnout, an unprecedented, multicultural moment has arrived.   The election of Barack Obama as president proves that “Change has come.”   So how shall we respond?

Despite a Democratic majority in Congress, will President-elect Obama be met with cooperation or resistance?    Many white evangelicals may be tempted to view Barack Obama’s presidential victory as  ”Obacalypse Now.”   Seventy-five percent of white, born-again voters backed Senator John McCain.   Do these Christians want to go down in history as having led the opposition to one of the most important and beloved presidents in American history?   Or can Caucasian Christians come to see this election as more opportunity than tragedy?    It is not too late to come alongside this remarkable moment.   Before anyone starts throwing stones, I encourage the conservative Christian community to pause, reflect, and maybe even repent.  

Countless emails were forwarded to me during the waning days of the campaign.  They took on an increasingly desperate air.   I was told our nation was “in harm’s way.”  I was encouraged to pray for “a person of righteousness to rule.”   One compared Obama’s infomercial to the techniques of Adolph Hitler’s Nazi propaganda.   It was alleged that Barack was actually an African-Arab.  Clearly, some people of faith are very scared.   

Focus on the Family’s incendiary “Letter from 2012″ spun the most alarmist scenarios.    Under President Obama, they predicted a left leaning Supreme Court would embrace homosexuality with such aplomb that the Boy Scouts are banished, Catholic adoption agencies are outlawed, and Christian broadcasting will be prohibited as hate speech.  (Perhaps they understood the spirit behind their letter better than they realized.)  Time will tell whether Focus will be seen as a prophetic or pathetic.    Obama’s victory may be a financial boon to ministries baptized in the politics of fear. They may redouble their efforts to divide those that God longs to join together.   But as people of faith shouldn’t we repudiate such blatant appeals to our worst instincts?

Are we ready to resume our role as agents of reconciliation? Can we recover our biblical calling to pursue righteousness and justice? Those noble words are linked 55 times in the Hebrew Bible. Memorable verses like Isaiah 1:16, Proverbs 21:3, and Amos 5:24 unite justice and righteousness as complimentary aspects of a glorious vision. This is where things are made right, where God’s people begin to resemble a peaceable kingdom, where shalom reigns over our relationships.

Some churches emphasize personal piety, stressing our need for purity and righteousness. Other congregations focus upon our public responsibility, the need to reform social structures and provide for the poor. The ancient Jewish community could not imagine one without the other. Their faith was holistic, not subdivided into public and private realms.

We must not mistake America for ancient Israel or anoint ourselves a “Christian nation.” We do not place our faith in a political party, but in a single person, Jesus of Nazareth. Our allegiance is not to Republicans or Democrats, red or blue states, but to a king robed in purple splendor. But we must live out our private faith in public ways, practicing personal purity while advocating liberty and justice for all.

This election offers contemporary Christians an opportunity to embrace a more complete faith. White evangelicals have much to learn from the embodied faith of black Christians who have prayed and marched for their rights to vote and worship. They worked with whoever would rally to their cause to alter American history. What happens when justice and righteousness unite in even a brief holy kiss? Those rare moments produce remarkably far-reaching results.

In his 2007 Address to the American Academy of Religion on “The Folly of Secularism,” Dr. Jeffrey Stout of Princeton University suggested a way forward. He chided secularists who would seek to remove religion from the public square. Stout suggested that the most hateful preachers will continue on their mission with or without government protection or permission. But the idea of banishing such speech from the political process is ill-founded folly. A secular America might come to resemble Islamic nations where religious moderates find solace only in alignment with religious conservatives they might otherwise disdain. Stout challenges us to resist calls to an exclusively secular or a Christian America.

Writing a year before the economic meltdown, Stout suggests, “If a new coalition is going to succeed in breaking the hold of billionaires and bosses on our political institutions, it will have to include millions of theistic moderates, as well as a lot of people more like me, who consider themselves atheists, agnostics, and “spiritual but not religious.’” I caught a glimpse of the coalition Stout described at the American Academy of Religion’s convention in Chicago this week. I saw Obama stickers on black Christians, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and atheists. Even a few evangelicals dared to “Barack the vote.” Their buttons included references to verses like Micah 6:8 and Matthew 25. Will God’s people act justly and love mercy? Will we put into practice Jesus’ challenge to feed the hungry and the thirsty, to look after strangers, to care for the sick and visit prisoners? We all witnessed how greed possessed those in power. The profound voter turnout demonstrates how desperately we long to take back our government.

Stout noted how, “People who sincerely wanted conservatism to be compassionate and American foreign policy to be just and humble are wondering what their true friends might be in the age of Katrina and Guantanamo Bay. They were shocked that their leaders were dividers, that the prosperity which was supposed to be trickling down to the poor was actually getting sucked upward by the richest of the rich.” We all feel conflicted by the justifications and lies that sold us on war in Iraq. All this disappointment has resulted in the political realignment that surrounds us. What will we do with this distinct moment in time?

Stout concluded his address with inspiring examples of historic reforms. Committed Christians combined with liberal intellectuals to usher in the abolition of slavery, women’s right to vote, and the civil rights movement in America. We’ve seen how Polish citizens overwhelmed the Soviet Union with religious and political force. Apartheid ended in South Africa when reformed minded Christians like Desmond Tutu and Allan Boesak teamed with the political acumen of Nelson Mandela. Can you see the implications? Enduring social reform arises when left and right, Christian and secular forces unite for the common good.

An Obama presidency offers Christians a remarkable opportunity to fuel a massive social movement. Much good can be accomplished on behalf of the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed around the world if we form some unlikely coalitions. We can work together on creation care, protecting the environment for the sake of our children. We can advocate educational reform that may reduce the number of lives languishing in prisons. Surely we can make college more affordable for working families. We can work to reduce third world debt, granting people the economic freedom they desperately deserve.

Or we can focus on the high profile things that divide us. Twenty years into the cultural wars, are we finally ready to ceasefire? Our single issue voting hasn’t resulted in substantive change. Most of my generation consider themselves conscientious objectors in the culture war. We didn’t start it. We actively resist it. Will conservative Christians consider the (temporary) defeat of gay marriage the cornerstone of a political future? Or can evangelicals finally admit that the culture war is a failed project. Two-thirds of voters under 30 backed Obama. When the Barna Research Group asked 1000 young people what they associated with the word, “Christian,” those outside the faith said, “judgmental,” “hypocritical,” “anti-intellectual,” “anti-homosexual,” and “too political.” Do we really want to reinvest in a war that has produced such strange fruit? Are we willing to drive an entire generation away by continuing to define ourselves by what we’re against? The biggest wedge we’ve developed is between us and Jesus.

I was so grieved by the divisiveness that accompanied the 2004 election that I embarked upon a documentary that sought to heal the breach. Purple State of Mind was intended to be a survey of America’s voices. Instead, it became an opportunity to dig even deeper into how faith and doubt divide us. My college roommate, John Marks, and I demonstrated that we could remain friends despite our differences. We made the film as an act of hope on behalf of our children who inherit a remarkably diverse nation. Surely compassionate conservatism can work with a gracious liberalism to forge a future.

To an either/or Christian community, I wrote a both/and appeal, A Purple State of Mind book. It outlines how we can forge a united future even with those we vehemently disagree with. We must push past old divisions rooted in the fifties versus the sixties. We must bring together youth and wisdom. We must follow our creeds with deeds.

If white evangelicals devolve into obstructionist postures, we will guarantee continuing gridlock on much more than social issues. Pressing matters of war and economics deserve to take center stage. If suburban Christians actually embrace Obama’s historic presidency on matters they can agree upon, they may find a surprising ally, someone who shares concerns for justice, equality, and religious freedom. Breakthroughs begun by Christians in civil rights and voting rights in America could be extended around the globe. People of faith concerned about genocide in Darfur could join forces with an Obama White House. Religious freedoms may be extended in the Sudan, in China, in the Middle East if Christians uphold their biblical mandate to pray for their leaders. I hope and trust that is not too big an “if” to wish for amidst a fearful mood of “Obacalypse Now.” To those who opposed him, President-elect Obama has already declared, “I will be your president, too.”

Comments (14)

14 Comments »

1. [...] Original post: Change has come: Obacalypse Now? [...]

   Pingback by Change has come: Obacalypse Now? | Adoption and Orphans Information — November 5, 2008 @ 5:33 am

2. I say amen, brother. The alternative for Christians is political and cultural suicide.

   Comment by John Marks — November 5, 2008 @ 6:27 am

3. Amen, too.

   Comment by Jason — November 5, 2008 @ 8:34 am

4. [...] Purple State of Mind "After a remarkable voter turnout, an unprecedented, multicultural moment has arrived. The election of Barack Obama as president proves that “Change has come.” So how shall we respond?" (tags: faith activism church politics obama) [...]

   Pingback by Links for November 5th | jonathan stegall — November 5, 2008 @ 5:01 pm

5. Some compelling stuff here. I’ll be sure to return. Thanks!

   Comment by SimpleMeditationTechniques — November 5, 2008 @ 7:23 pm

6. This is the best thing I have read on the subject. Well-stated, Craig!

   Comment by Howard Brooks — November 6, 2008 @ 11:47 am

7. Thank you. What an awesome piece.

   I do not know how I found you out here on the vast expanses of the internet, but I thank God for the discovery. You have just laid out very concisely the feelings that I’ve been trying to convey to people for years. Although I take part in the political process and exercise the rights given to me by the sacrifices of my ancestors, I refuse to yoke myself to either political affiliation. It’s comforting to know I am not alone.

   Comment by Eureka! — November 6, 2008 @ 4:44 pm

8. Oh, I’m sorry, I must have been mistaken, I thought our Savior came two thousand years ago- boy was I off! Too bad the unborn won’t be able to enjoy the justice, equality, and chance at religious freedom that Barack Obama will surely be ushering in.

   Comment by Roosha — November 7, 2008 @ 11:29 am

9. Hello Roosha, thanks for the push back.

   We’ll see how long the honeymoon lasts. Surely, any pretensions of Obama’s messiahship are bound to be dashed rather quickly. The media is pretty good at tearing down whatever they build up (see Britney Spears, Kobe Bryant, the TV show “Heroes” etc.). If they doesn’t work, there are always the strongest levelers we face–our spouses and children. They have such a profound ability to remind us of our limitations and failings!

   Comment by Craig — November 7, 2008 @ 7:47 pm

10. I must admit, I am saddened to see this post. Yes, it’s historic. Yes, I’m thrilled that many finally are seeing past skin color HOWEVER. . .

    Obama is NOT what we as Christians should be standing behind. Many of his. . . er. . . most of his policies seem rather anti-biblical. As a Christian, should this not be how we vote? Rather than rally behind the black man to destroy racism, are we not then, just putting racism up in the spotlight? Using the color of one’s skin to “unify” people? What he stands for is not what this country should be for. If he succeeds in getting what he wants, it will be many, many more moons before a person other than your average white male will get into the white house again. Obama may well set back advances to stop racism many decades. We should pray for the man and his family, yes. But to state that we should be celebrating is quite another, and very wrong, idea to be espousing. To think. . . it’s a “good idea” to force people to do good things for others? We’ve seen that in socialist countries. It does not work. No, it’s NOT right that the rich keep getting richer, and many hard working poor seem to be stuck. But it’s equally NOT right to require the rich to give up their wealth when many of them worked hard to get where they are at. It should be on THEIR conscience to give. Rather than say let’s back a socialist who wants to play Robin Hood, why don’t we as Christians unite to share our wealth? Oh, because that would require sacrifice that we have to see on our part. We don’t want any part of choosing to help. Rather, you uphold that the government should force everybody to help out. The government was not ever designed to interfere with our lives in this way. The government was to keep us safe, and we to look after each other. But believe what you will. I have seen that America is so hungering for “change” that it cares not if it’s for good or bad, just so it’s something different.

    Comment by MasterNyte — November 9, 2008 @ 10:16 pm

11. Dear MN,

    Obviously, it is too early for any of us to truly know what an Obama administration will do. But I choose to walk forward in faith rather than fear, to give the ‘better angels’ an opportunity to have their day. Clearly, the policies of the last eight years have dug us into a massive hole. We are eager to crawl out and a majority of Americans considered President-elect Obama the best person for that very challenging job.

    Comment by Craig — November 10, 2008 @ 5:59 pm

12. This race was not determined by race. It’s not even so much about “change”. For many people their vote voiced a desperate plea for sane government. Insanity: doing the same thing, the same exact way, over-and-over-and-over again, and expecting different results each time. I accept this as a viable reason for anyone, Christian or otherwise, to have voted for Barack Obama. We did witness an incredible moment in history. Yes, I would have loved this for John McCain and Sarah Palin, too. But it didn’t happen. I’ve moved on and am choosing to trust God at His Word, Proverbs 21:1.

    I am growing increasingly dismayed by Christians on both sides of the aisle not recognizing the bile in their own affiliations. Can you blindly support a party that supports the right to life for the unborn, but has managed to legalize the torture of breathing human beings? Can you blindly support a party with benevolent ideals, but one who also has ideals contrary to Biblical principles and casts judgments upon those who they’ve deemed “less enlightened”? If asked to yoke myself to either one, I’ll pass.

    As an American citizen I’ve rendered to caesar what is his and took part in this process. That’s where I draw the line. I refuse to pass judgment on Christians based on their political affiliations because through a relationship with Jesus Christ I am given the opportunity to see each one of us through His eyes. So, while we may disagree theologically from time to time, it’s clear that we have been commanded to be in unity with each another and act in love towards one another at all times.

    One more thing… I am really growing tired of the socialism argument. We, the American people represented by our federal government, have just invested in the private debt of some of the wealthiest people in this nation. If this ‘investment’ isn’t socialism, I need a new dictionary. Also, my spirit of fairness is feeling less than convicted that the top 1% of the nation will not continue to see their tax cuts increase 3 more percentage points over the next 2 years. I’ll allow generations of my family to shoulder your debt, if you let the guy making 40K a year currently paying 11% federal income tax only have to pay 9% for the next 2 years. You say “redistribute the wealth”, I call it a “more than moderately fair trade off”. Po-tat-o, pot-at-o.

    Comment by Eureka! — November 13, 2008 @ 4:27 pm

13. Excellent Eureka! I’ll pass too. However, I still question the role of judgment among Christians. With a critical mind instead of a critical spirit, I believe it is our duty to love each other and serve each other generously and unconditionally … and at the same time to analyze and adjust our beliefs, behaviors and actions that from time to time resemble more of the world than Jesus’ new creation (new Genesis).

    When our brothers and sisters in Christ participate with the powers outside the church in oppressing, hoarding, killing and so on … then I’m thinking that we don’t have any other option (biblically and authentically) but to call a duck a duck … and rebuke, correct, heal, cut off the beliefs, behaviors and actions that are out of line with the “new creation.”

    And the approach is done in I Corinthians 13 love and Galatians 5 freedom (and so on).

    When folks choose “old creation” clothing to wear, they do so in opposition to Jesus and the new creation he instituted. And we saw Jesus’ approach … over and over … and one time he made a big scene in the temple. And he always disobeyed the religious rules by bringing wholeness and healing and freedom on the Sabbath. He reframed this new creation as one in which we must do the Father’s work because that’s what the Father is doing, and what the Son did, and what the Son prayed to the Father that we would also do (John 17).

    Is there a way around “getting political.” Jesus’ politics will often (and did in his day) call into question the politics of our structures, whether they be our federal, state or local governments, our churches, our businesses, whatever.

    And Jesus said there would be division in families (not peace) because (I think) some in our families would choose to stay with the old creation living (legalism, rules, individual achievement, storing up treasures on earth) and others would choose new creation living.

    Love, love, love. Love enemies. Serve enemies. Serve each other. It’s incredibly difficult, and it requires such thoughtfulness, boldness, cautiousness and faith.

    Maybe forgiveness should be our shoes, our clothes, our words. Forgive as you have been forgiven. The test is can we do this while at the same time standing against injustice and instead creating justice?

    Comment by NIck — November 20, 2008 @ 12:51 pm

14. I am a lover of Jesus and an african american woman. I am pro life and everything pro jesus and justice. I beleive there is no Jesus without Justice. I love your peice, it describes things that i have been talking to other white conservastives, black christians and non believers about for the past six months. I would love to post this on my facebook, is there anyway i can do that.

    Comment by Faith — February 12, 2009 @ 3:57 pm

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