In his acceptance speech, Presidential candidate Barak Obama cited Scripture. Here is the quote of his concluding paragraph:
America, we cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done. Not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for. Not with an economy to fix and cities to rebuild and farms to save. Not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend. America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone. At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise - that American promise - and in the words of Scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess.
The closest verse I can find to the "hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess," is Hebrews 10:23 (with a little bit of Hebrews 3:6 included). Here is Hebrews 10:23 (NIV):
NIV Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Notice the difference. In the Bible, we hold to our profession in Christ because God is faithful. In the speech, we must conclude our hope is either in America, Government or Mr. Obama. Lets get it straight. Our hope is in Christ, not America, Government or Mr. Obama or any other candidate. All of those replace God with a person or place. All of those are an abomonation, or in this case, an Obomination.
4 comments:
Hopefully not an Obama-Nation!
I hate it when politicians use religious language - especially when it comes from scripture - to try to drum up support for their positions.
Although, to be fair, Republicans - particularly the current president - do this far more than anyone on the other side of the aisle.
Here's a couple of examples, pointed out by Jim Wallis. On the first anniversary of 9/11, Bush gave a speech in which he said "That hope still lights our way. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
This sounds suspiciously like the gospel of John, but they're not making reference to America.
Also, in the 2003 State of the Union address, though thankfully (?) this is just from a hymn : "There is power, wonder-working power in the goodness and idealism and faith of the American people."
I dunno about you guys, but I sure remember that line ending differently.
Good point, Garrett. I share your "I hate it" attitude when politicians usurp God that way. They can only do it because the electorate has made government their savior.
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