Last week as the press released the President’s plan to address the nation’s public school children, conservative American parents panicked. As a Pastor, with very conservative values, I am particularly concerned with the reaction of Christian parents. I believe the negative reaction to the positive message delivered by President Obama actually became what Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, called a “national embarrassment.”
I understand the emotion of the reaction to the President. Today I received an email from the American Family Association on HR 3200 sponsored by nine leading democrats. As part of the proposed health care reform plan, HR 3200 makes provision for “school based health clinics.” According to the American Family Association the bill will “authorize Planned Parenthood, as a sponsoring facility to run a clinic during school hours on the grounds of public schools, with absolutely no accountability to either parents or school administrators.” It is this kind of legislation that causes Christians to take offense at a political agenda diametrically opposed to the very Words of God (Psalm 139:13-14).
The reaction of Christian parents last week stems from either fear or anger. As people of the Bible we recognize this administration’s ideology related to abortion clearly denies the directions of God as a much higher authority. As Christian parents we become angry for the generations yet to be born and fearful of God’s impending judgement on this country that we hold dear. Abortion is just one of the issues. The lack of support for biblical marriage by the administration and the endless propaganda targeting the next generation ( t-shirts, you tube videos and kids books) and a negative response understandably manifests itself in the hearts of Christian parents.
However, the harsh reaction of some Christians to the Presidential speech likely did more harm than good. I agree with Dr. Mohler, “Conservatives must avoid jumping on every conspiracy theory and labeling every action by the Obama administration as sinister or socialist.” When we do that we actually respond out of fear instead of faith.
Consider Romans 13:1-7. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” All world leaders including President Barack Obama are given authority as a ruler by God. This does not mean that Obama recognizes this or makes decisions accordingly. It does mean, as people touting a biblical worldview, we must respect the office of the President whether we agree with his positions or not. We should pray for him always and support him when his leadership is not contradictory to the Word of God.
In the case of President Obama’s speech, made available for parents to read ahead of time, many Christians reacted with disdain instead of seizing the opportunity to support the President and pray for him (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Next time, before we react, let’s gather information, consider the Scriptures, think and pray. Of course we will always stand up in protest when we recognize leadership contrary to God’s Word on specific issues.
Brian Haynes 
I’m not afraid to disagree with your viewpoint. And, I’m not afraid to disagree with the President. We live in the United States of America…a Republic of the people, by the people, and for the people. The Health Care bill will lower the standard of care that all Americans receive in the future. That includes our children. The Health Care bill will also reduce the level of care that our parents receive. It is clear we live in a culture that is beginning to despise the elderly. The Health Care bill will promote the demise of the unborn (even if it is by subsequent amendments or court decisions). If you want to refer to infer that those of us who can see the “writing on the wall” are an “embarrassment” that is your prerogative. However, in my eyes those men (Christian or not) who do nothing to stand for the cause of truth and justice and attack those who do are the “embarrassment”. This statement is even more applicable to men who are not willing to stand to protect their children, parents, and grandparent. Men who claim to be of God need to stand for righteousness and truth even when it may be unpopular with the present culture. .
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Mark,
Thanks for the comment. I think you totally missed the point of the blog post. It was not directed at the Health Care legislation or the demise of the unborn. I am adamantly opposed to those things as I make clear. As for the subtle remark about “Men of God standing for righteousness or truth” I can only say that you have again missed the point of the post. I am not a proponent of President Obama or the majority of his policies. I agree, as I state in the post, that we should stand up when his leadership or policies oppose the scripture. The post was directed at “how we react” on the local level. There are both positive and negative ways to respond to issues such as the president addressing children in public schools. As a shepherd I only cautioned the people of God to act intentionally, with facts in hand, and avoid emotional reactions. Again, thanks for your comment.
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I respectfully disagree with overall tenor of your article.
You see the actions and words of a few Christians who are in a state of panic as representative. I don’t think that’s the case. Most believers I know still understand that the King of Kings has not lost His job. He is not panicked.
Further you don’t recommend action beyond prayer. Prayer is crucial and commanded, but it’s not all that needs to be done. People also need to stand up and voice their concerns.
We really must speak even if it doesn’t change the course of action taken. Our God-given job is to speak the truth in love at all times. Not just when it seems like it might make a difference or be what people want to hear. The famous “Here am I. Send me!” passage from Isaiah 6 is about a message that God clearly says will be ignored. Isaiah is sent with the message anyway. If you know there is a bridge out on a road and no sign for travelers to alert them to the situation, what should you do? Praying is good. Praying while holding up a sign warning of the peril is even better.
Here is one example. The Health Care bill that is on the way is a matter of great debate. (That is not what this example is about at all.) What ISN’T a matter of debate among those who are pro-life is that there should not be in increase in abortions, and that those opposed to abortions should not have to fund them.
Should we pray? Sure. Should we be civil? Sure. Should we voice our opinions? Sure? Leaving out any one of those elements is wrong.
Thanks for reading,
Jim
Background:
Here is a really fast way to make your voice heard. http://capwiz.com/fof/issues/alert/?alertid=13732401
A quote from a discussion between Dr. James Dobson and Carrie Gordon Earll, senior director of issue analysis at Focus on the Family Action.
“The president promised that there would not be any money for abortion in this health-care bill,” Dr. Dobson says, “and yet, the Democrats have voted down every measure to take abortion out of this legislation.”
“That’s correct,” says Earll. “Every time we’ve tried to explicitly ban abortion, that’s been voted down. This promises to be the greatest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade… and it puts the government in the abortion industry.”
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I’m afraid I must disagree – not with the fact that we should respect the office of president and pray for the current president (we should) – but to the opinion that my opposition to him speaking to my children was one of ‘panic’. I was not in a panic at all. I simply didn’t want him speaking to my children. Would hearing his speech have hurt them? Probably not. It was the principle of the thing. I do not agree with his political views nor the direction in which he is attempting to steer our country. I do not want someone like this to be promoted as a role model to my children.
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THANK YOU! for saying what I have been thinking. Whiles some of his views are contrary to mine – I do not buy into the theory that he is from Satan, not that our President is doing everything in his power to destroy our country. He has children, he must live here too. Praying for him as the God appointed leader for this time is the right thing to do. Attacking everything he says and does, says more about the attacker than about him.
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