No Room for Zealots?

In 2008, during his campaign, President Obama's affiliation with certain religious leadership was put into question. Namely, that of Jeremiah Wright see this link.

During the controversy, President Obama simply responded by stating that Rev. Wright "...is like an old uncle who says things I don't always agree with," telling a Jewish group that "...everyone has someone like that in their family."

The American people listened to the then candidate Obama, and believed him. Since his election, he has done nothing of the sort that would lead people to believe that he shares all the same radical views as Jeremiah Wright. Are they friends? Sure? I don't know. There was a period of time where their paths intersected, but time moves on, and so do some affiliations and acquaintances.

John Hagee and C.Peter Wagner are two endorsers of 51 National, Local, and Youth oriented pastors listed on the website of www.theresponseusa.com (which, by the way, includes the Catholic Bishop emeritus of Corpus Cristi, Bishop Rene Henry Gracida). What is happening with this event is that John Hagee is agreeing with a vision set by the Governor, and not vice versa. Him endorsing the event is not Rick Perry endorsing all of Hagee's beliefs - much the same as President Obama not agreeing with all that Jeremiah Wright believes.

When Rick Perry ran for office, I'm assuming he didn't say he was an agnostic, and upon his first day of office, show up to work with a 40 foot replica of the Ten Commandments to put in the middle of the floor of the Texas State Legislature. No. In fact, he's been quite consistent; and whether you agree with his beliefs or not, you can't say he hasn't been forthcoming. We are however, at an impasse as a nation; a time of great social upheaval, be it good or bad. That is something everyone can agree upon. In terms of solutions, some people would rather just focus on solving issues rationally and humanistically, without room for spiritual or moral opinions that would "interfere."

Consider the "Freedom From Religion Foundation," and their lawsuit against Governor Perry. Well, Governor Perry disagrees, and until the court rules, he's allowed to.

Although this wasn't the question asked, my greater concern is a lack of social element of the Gospel. If you're going to bring that many Christians together to pray, is there anything else they could do to make known the love of God? We have a responsibility to intercede in prayer, but we have an equal responsibility to be the hands and feet of Jesus; to care for the poor and the broken. Worship heals the heart, but the body can still be hungry.

I will leave you with the words of Jesus, not a Governor, or an Old Testament prophet, when He speaks of fasting in the Bible. Here's what He says:

"When you fast, don't make yourselves look sad. The hypocrites do that. Don't be like the hypocrites. They make their faces look strange to show people that they are fasting. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you fast, make yourself look nice. Wash your face. Then people will not know that you are fasting. But your Father that you cannot see will see you. Your Father sees the things that are done in secret. And he will reward you." - Matthew 6:16-18

By Matt Maher  |  July 15, 2011; 5:10 PM ET Save & Share:                 
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