Why do some Christians and branches of Christianity come across at best as eccentric and at worst total lunatics, who need locking up? Is it because they are total fruitcakes or is it because I am just not holy enough to recognise their unique understanding of God's revelation which they enjoy? As an example, it seems as if some feel it is entirely rational to brand Barack Obama as the anti Christ, see this for the full story.
Why is it that a sizable proportion of the church seem to spend so much time debating issues which are red herrings? Shouldn't we as Christians be taking a leaf out of Jesus book (he spent much of his time talking to tax collectors and sinners I recall,) and concentrating on talking to people about their need for God?
Instead they seem to be getting involved in pointless arguments and speculative rhetoric, like the Pharisees did. This kind of pejorative, ego driven criticism really makes me mad!! Even if Barack were some kind of anti messiah, will discussing it in detail help? Yes, we are called to be aware of false prophets and to be on our guard, but the endless debate and speculation over so called 'end of the world prophecies' is just pointless! Wouldn't it be better (if those who believe this stuff have integrity), to encourage Christians to get out there and triple their evangelistic efforts, if they truly believe that the end is so close??
I have to say that if we are looking for the powers of darkness, then I am more worried about this branch of the church being a tool for Satan. Who knows how many searching people are being put off looking into Christianity because of this sacremongering tripe? Whilst they are debating the reasons why Barack, (or any other politician they don't especially like), is or isn't the anti christ, they have taken their eyes off the real task of speaking to people about Jesus.
It's not as if we are not warned in scripture keep our eyes firmly fixed on the ball...Paul tells us not to get involved in arguments over pointless things in Titus chapter 3..
8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.
If they feel that they are correct; then fine, get out there and intensify evangelistic efforts! After all, if the end times are that close then evanglelism can be the only rational response...If they are wrong, what immense judgemental damage have they done to smear and damn the integrity of Barack Obama?
Who will be next to receive this kind of vitriol I wonder?
Anyone else who doesn't quite fit into their particular understanding of Christianity I suppose..I'd better hold onto my hat...
3 comments:
Obviously those who label Obama as THE antichrist with no room for doubt and try to prove it by Scripture are loons. However, (and you're clearly an Obama supporter, so I fully expect an irrational response) you have to admit that Obama framed his campaign in Messianic terms from the the time that he won the primary on. Why? What was he trying to do? Why did he claim in his acceptance speech upon winning the Democrat primary that we would look back on that day (the day of his primary nomination) as the day "the earth began to heal"? Why would we look back on that day, as he said we would, as the day we "began to care for the poor" and as the day that "the oceans ceased to rise"? He was clearly claiming some sort of Messianic or God-like power. This continued in the media coverage for the duration of the campaign. And all the God-hating liberals who love to bash Christianity were asking the opposite question, not "is Obama the Antichrist?" but rather "is Obama the Messiah?" There's a blog dedicated to the loony news coverage where reporters try to frame Obama either as the Messiah or some sort of spiritual guru http://obamamessiah.blogspot.com/ The fact is that Chris Matthews the NBC news anchor (see here) said of Obama's campaign "This is bigger than Kennedy. [Obama] comes along, and he seems to have the answers. This is the New Testament. This is surprising." This is the sort of stuff that raises suspicions that he could be the antichrist--namely that unbelievers think he could be the Christ! But, there are (as John says) many antichrists already, not just one. And Obama even fits the classical description of denying the incarnation of Christ in my opinion, as do all pro-abortionists claiming to be Christian. Jesus' incarnation began at his conception in Mary's womb, and during her first trimester of pregnancy the "fetus" (Jesus) in her womb was recognized as Lord by the "fetus" (John the Baptist) in her cousin Elizabeth's womb so that John lept in the womb upon Mary's visit to Elizabeth's house. (Luke 2:21) Therefore, when politicans who claim to be Christian makes statements that they do not know when life begins, they deny the incarnation of Christ and prove themselves to be classical antichrists denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Such are both Hillary Clinton ad Obama, and Nazi Peloci too.
Thank you for your comments. What concerns me is that you have read my post but seem to have missed the main point. Whether Obama is an antichrist or not is immaterial. There have been many who could be so labelled (Nero, Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, Mussolini, Franco, Bin Laden..) Yes we need to be suspicious of worldly leaders because they are flawed. In essence, I have little faith in the political system because it is run by human beings who are all ultimately vulnerable to corruption when power is theirs. I agree that abortion is a great sin and do not like that aspect of Obama's policies, but at the end of the day, Christians need to concentrate on EVANGELISM not POLITICAL WRANGLES. That is the point I was making. Jesus' last words to his followers was to send them out to tell the world about him. People looked to Jesus to overthrow the corrupt government of the day, instead he died for us on a cross..Humanity needs to know why he did that, if they are ever going to choose to follow him and not a politician like Obama (or Clinton, or McCain) If we enter into pointless arguments then people will percieve Christianity as yet another political machine. IMO Christians should be involved in political justice issues but we MUST be careful that our focus is never dislodged from telling people about Christ. That should be our concern.
Are people really arguing over whether Obama is the antichrist or not? Or are they expressing concerns that at the same time this guy who framed his campaign in Messianic tone gets elected the same country that elected him is moving to socialism and giving more power not only to the Fed but to the World Bank also. Isn't it that they are expressing concerns that the financial crisis may result in a single currency for the world, and that there have been hints in that direction from the Fed, timed conveniently about the same time as the self proclaimed Messiah who promises to heal the earth and lower sea levels gets elected? The fact is that Obama probably isn't a dynamic enough speaker to be the antichrist since he uses uh way too much. Neverthless I wouldn't classify people expressing their fears as arguing. Maybe I just don't know the people you know. Personally I have more sympathy even for people who may be arguing strongly that he is the antichrist than for those who appear to be defending a man that clearly is a threat to our nation at least on the abortion front. That's all.
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