I have researched Rev. Wright's theology. He is heavily in to Black Liberation Theology which has no vital link to actual biblical Christianity. Liberation Theology of any stripe uses Christ as a figure of liberation from social oppression and bids church members to rise up and against the oppression and oppressors (in Black Liberation theology that would be the rich white oppressors), etc. etc. The personal need for the forgiveness of sins and Christ's ability to save our souls for eternity are either in the background to social liberation now or absent all together. There is also a strong "African-Centeredness" notion in Wright's teaching. It's a sort of racism no matter how Rev. Wright wants to paint it. So, what would Barack Obama's response be? In a written statement Obama said-
"None of these statements were ones I had heard myself personally in the pews,” Obama told FOX News. “Once I saw them I had to be very clear about the fact that these are not statements that I am comfortable with. I reject them completely they are not ones that reflect my values or my ideals.”
Now, which is worse- a person who commits himself to such a church and it's racist teachings for 20 years or a person who "commits" himself and his family to such a church yet doesn't agree with it's core principles?
On one hand we have a principled person, although his principles would be morally offensive and extremely detrimental toward effectively performing the job of President.
On the other hand we have a person who could be quite connected and seemingly committed to a church that offers no ambiguity about it's core positions, yet ends up saying he doesn't agree with particular statements that support those positions. Is he a fake? Such a person seems very unprincipled to me.
Such is one of the major problems I have with Barack Obama. Who is he and what does he really believe? He wants us to believe he doesn't agree with his pastor on the statements in the clips? His pastor is simply espousing Black Liberation Theology (BLT). Is Barack saying he doesn't agree with BLT? If not, he doesn't agree with a MAJOR Tenant of his church. Who would stay 20 years at church that teaches as one of it's main emphases something you do not agree with? Would you stay at a church that doesn't preach the gospel? Black liberation from rich white oppression is Wright's gospel. The statements in the clips are reflective of a core belief of Trinity United Church of Christ and Jeremiah Wright. Does Barack disagree? What in particular does he disagree with? He wasn't very clear in his written statement.
He may reject these particular statements by Wright, however in so doing he is rejecting the theology that drives them. How can a guy stay at such a place for 20 years and expect anyone to believe he is principled?
In the end I am afraid most Americans won't see the significance of this story. This is a nation that elected Bill Clinton....TWICE. Character does matter. As a nation we just don't seem to get it.
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I had the pleasure to point this out to two of my co-workers. Both I know who would vote for Senator Barack Hussein Obama Jr. should he get the nomination of his party.
Now one was not aware of what had transpired (black male), the other did. The one who did claimed that everything the Reverend (using that term very loosely) Jeremiah Wright said was true (white female).
How pleased I was to give to the (white female) what Senator Barack Hussein Obama Jr. said regarding the Reverend (using that term very loosely) Jeremiah Wright’s comments. As I handed the printed AP story to her, I said to her quoting what Senator Bentsen said Vice President Quayle, "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."
I can understand how Senator Barack Hussein Obama Jr. could stay in the same church for as long as he has, I did the same thing when I was in the PCUSA. However, my former minster albeit a liberal in his theology and politics never crossed the line like the Reverend (using that term very loosely) Jeremiah Wright’s did.
If Senator Barack Hussein Obama Jr. is a Christian, he is nominal at best. I still contend he is a Muslim Apostate, so that is why it does not supprise me that Senator Barack Hussein Obama Jr. can remain a member of Trinity United Church of Christ because to me the Reverend (using that term very loosely) Jeremiah Wright is no different than Louis Eugene Walcott Farrakhan, the acting head of the Nation of Islam (NOI) as the National Representative of Elijah Muhammad.
So I pray should Senator Barack Hussein Obama Jr. get his party’s nomination, that we the American voters will stop him, By Any Means Necessary!
Now, which is worse- a person who commits himself to such a church and it's racist teachings for 20 years or a person who "commits" himself and his family to such a church yet doesn't agree with it's core principles?
Hmmm, is that a trick question? :-) Seriously, I think this “controversy” will only get larger. It’s not simply a “few” radical statements that his pastor made that is at issue. To begin with, I’m willing to bet that these clips are only the tip of the iceberg regarding the radical anti-white, anti-American rhetoric espoused by “Rev.” Wright. As you pointed out: “The statements in the clips are reflective of a core belief of Trinity United Church of Christ and Jeremiah Wright.” Absolutely correct. There’s simply no way Obama can legitimately feign ignorance about such a “central” teaching of his church.
Second, there will probably be a lot more evidence forthcoming which shows that Obama was very aware of these types of statements, and he’s simply not being honest about it now. Plenty of people are scouring the records, so I’m sure there’s more to come.
Third, the undignified atmosphere of that type of church service alone will appall most Americans who see it. “Rev.” Wright and his congregation looked like a bunch of nut-jobs! Who wants the mental picture of our next President “whoopin-and-hollerin” and jumping up and down like a lunatic to that type of preaching? It’s like watching the black equivalent of a back-woods, hillbilly snake-handling tent meeting -- or a Benny Hinn concert (I’m not sure which is worse!). I can’t imaging that image disappearing from people’s minds any time soon -- especially since it will be shown over and over again by the media.
Fourth, as we could see from the ABC video clip, a number of Barack’s fellow church members feel the same way as “Rev.” Wright does. The more they speak out in his defense, it will simply confirm everyone’s suspicions -- that this type of anti-white racism is more than likely the predominant feeling of most of the church members. They’re defense of Barack so far has basically been, “That’s black life in America, and there’s nothing to apologize for. What Dr. Wright said is true!” The more the media interviews these type of church members, the worse it will get for Obama.
In the end I am afraid most Americans won't see the significance of this story. This is a nation that elected Bill Clinton....TWICE. Character does matter. As a nation we just don't seem to get it.
Man, I hope your wrong about that! Personally, I think this will sink Obama’s campaign. I thought he had it in the bag, but I can’t see him being able to weasel his way out of this one. Most American’s will be profoundly offended by all of this, and in the end they won’t vote for him. Oprah’s good, but she’s not that good!
Wright is a pure racist, if his sermons are any indicator of his true beliefs. I'm not sure the media will hold Obama's feet to the fire on this issue, though. Did you hear the journalist refer to Wright as "captivating"?
How can this "Reverend" even call himself a Christian while "preaching" this kind of hate, racism, and anti-Biblical garbage?!? It is incredibly offensive to me to hear a supposed "man of God" trash the Gospel of Christ like he does. What happened to preaching Jesus Christ and him crucified?
I am grieved that many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have been sitting under such harmful and heretical teaching. Matthew 7:15, Matthew 24:11, and 1 John 4:1 come to mind.
I pray that God will remove the scales from the eyes of the people in this church.
Good comments.
Roger, I hope your gut on this is right and I'm wrong, I truly do.
My opinion of American "wisdom" is hideously low, I admit it.
Rick, one correction- I don't agree with voters stopping Obama "by any means necessary". I doubt you meant that the way it sounds, but just to clarify.
The way to "stop" Obama is not to vote for him. That's the only way we should be concerned with.
I would never advocate violence to solve a political problem. Yes, that was exactly what I meant by “Any Means Necessary!” That is by not voting for Senator Barack Hussein Obama Jr. and for pointing out through the political arena what a fraud, a socialist Senator Barack Hussein Obama Jr., and his supporters are. For anyone to think otherwise would put them in same camp as Reverend (using that term very loosely) Jeremiah Wright and Louis Eugene Walcott Farrakhan, the acting head of the Nation of Islam (NOI) as the National Representative of Elijah Muhammad whom I suspect had a hand in the assassination of Malcolm Little X.
Rick, I figured. Good clarification.
In case I want to run for political office, I didn't want your comment to be used against me...someone might insinuate that I hang with a bunch of radicals!
:)
'Surrogates for Barack Obama on Sunday downplayed the significance of Obama’s relationship to a controversial pastor and suggested the discussion is a diverson from bigger issues in the Democrat presidential race.' This was from Foxnews.com. Unfortunately, Americans are myopic...as the Reverend Felich pointed out, this nation elected Clinton twice.
What does this say about the seriousness of a man’s walk with the Lord? That he would not know and then address what his pastor for 20 years was vomiting forth? And he espouses that he is qualified to be our commander and leader, president of the United States! When confronting error or false teaching, I am drawn to the powerful mandate, spoken forth, from the undefiled, Word of God in Galatians 1:9-11.
Obama has said he wants to do away with red states and blue states and to reconcile us. He represents the "change" and his visions will bring about a "New America." Well what is that?
He has the most liberal voting record in the Senate which impacts every position whether it be a social issue, the war, or the economy.
We should be wary of "guilt by association" but nonethless how could one not be affected by the mindset of the church after being a member for 20 years? How could he remain a member? Did he not hear any of this?
Do we now want this man to be Commander in Chief? I hear agendas at this church and not the gospel as our government is accused of poisoning blacks with drugs or the HIV virus or having a hand in the Twin Towers debacle. It is a gospel of hate and diviseness. Jesus is a black man that was despised and punished by white men?
Let us not hope that the LORD has turned us over to our own desires and passions and let loose the consequences. As one prophet proclaimed that the LORD has sent a plague throughout the country. A malaise that is the lack of HIS word from being uttered. The prevention of HIS word. An utter scarcity. America is in not any better shape than Isreal or Judah were.
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