The Firestorm Over Obama’s Preacher
Filed Under: General
I’ve watched with interest the unfolding controversy over some of Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s comments in past sermons. I just finished reading the transcript of Barak Obama’s speech delivered this morning concerning his relationship with, and the comments of, Pastor Wright. It is worth reading this before commenting on this subject.
Years ago, while I was studying the largest churches in the United States, I took my family to Chicago to worship at two large churches there. On Saturday night we worshiped at Willow Creek Community Church - a suburban, predominantly anglo congregation, where Bill Hybels preached an excellent message. Then on Sunday morning we worshiped at Trinity Church where we heard Jeremiah Wright preach a very powerful message. Trinity is a fascinating church. It is the largest church in the United Church of Christ with, at the time, more than 5,000 per weekend in worship attendance. It is located on less than five acres of land in the heart of the urban core. Most people walk to church or take the train. The community is predominantly African American and income levels are significantly lower than in the suburbs. People line up at 6:00 a.m. to get a seat for the early worship service. The music was powerful and moving.
LaVon and I and the girls were warmly received by the church members we met. After church I met with a couple of their lead staff who were gracious and told me about their church’s ministry. Later I listened to a couple of Rev. Wright’s sermons on audio tape and read one of his books. It was clear that he was coming from a perspective of black empowerment, and doing all he could to encourage blacks to believe in themselves and to stand with and for one another. In this limited exposure to him (three sermons and a book) I did not hear any of the kind of harsh rhetoric that he’s seen offering in several soundbytes that have created the current firestorm.
I have read these comments - a handful of excerpts from various sermons - several of which seem inappropriate and out of place for any pastor. Often we talk about black and white thinking that comes from the religious and political right. Rev. Wright’s offending comments reflect the same kind of polarizing and black and white thinking only from the African American sociological left. Both tend to demonize one’s opponents in a way that serves to divide people rather than bringing them together in pursuit of the common good. I find that the left and the right are interesting bedfellows at this point - while their perspectives are often polar opposites, their way of thinking and talking about those with whom they disagree is very similar. In addition both tend to oversimplify complex issues and offer sweeping generalizations that inflame rather than inform. Of particular interest to me were Wright’s comments after 911 which struck me as, in a strange way, similar to those of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson after 911.
Assuming my experience at Trinity is more the norm than the soundbytes we’ve been hearing, and that these comments were taken a bit out of context and are not typical for Wright, I can understand why Obama would have been able to sit under his preaching and loved his pastor, while still finding himself in disagreement with him at times. If the soundbytes represent the week in, week out comments of pastor Wright then it would seem difficult to understand how Obama would stay in the church.
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Dave | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
I thought Obama gave a very good sppech the other day in Philedelphia. It won’t satisfy everyone and some will never be satisfied because they are only interested in his defeat. I thought the man addressed the comments by his pastor head on and made clear they were not his own views. I did not have a problem with him refusing to disown his pastor. Most of us have not been in this church Sunday after Sunday and heard Rev. Wright preach. While the soundbytes being played over and over in the media cannot be defended or justified I think it is unfair to assume these hateful comments are the sum total of this pastor. Obama has a long relationship with his pastor and he is the only one who can and should make any decisions about his future relationship with Rev. Wright.
I thought Adam’s comments comparing Wrights statements to Falwell and Pat Robertson were interesting. Of course the late Jerry Falwell and the always interesting Pat Robertson offered up that America was getting what it deserved on 9-11. They pointed to God as the instigator of the attacks because of our various sins. Rev. Wright in effect agreed with Falwell and Robertson that America deserved it’s fate even though he would certainly disagree with the two religious icons and their list of “sins” that caused us to suffer. Both views are repugnant and certainly not fitting of the Gospel view of God’s providence or His grace.
chuckrussell | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
I tend to disagree on this one. I think Wright’s comments are so far beyond the pale - The notion of the Government targeting African Americans with Aids, and the Honoring of Lewis Farakan, lead me to believe that there actually are some serious underlying issues here. My sense is that Obama can only escape this drag if he comes out and says that it was wrong of him to ever associate with Jeremiah.
I also find it disturbing that Obama would suggest he hadn’t heard about these comments before. I simply cant believe that. If Adam says anything remotely controversial its all anyone can talk about for a week. So either 1. Obama didn’t attend regularly at all - which undercuts his claim to be connected to the faith community. or 2. The outrageous comments were so commonplace as to not generate significant “Buzz” around the church. or 3. Obama did know and had heard of these comments previously. Any of these scenarious leave him in an inexcusable position. His only option, I think, is to totally repudiate Trinity and the Pastor, and Leave the Church. Anything less leaves the question…Why would you continue to associate with this border line Anti-Semitic/Anti American organization.
cokey | Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
Surely there is not a preacher who wouldn’t admit to sparking controversy with a view taken out of context or poorly delivered. The public and media blow these things way out of proportion. Rev. Wright certainly crossed the line with his comments, especially considering his position. But who can deny that God has a wrath? Very little is spoken of the wrath of God anymore at the risk of cheapening His grace. I find that the Bible is very clear on the reasons for the sufferings of the Jews, and others as well. There isn’t much scriptural evidence of things ‘just happening.’ Is God sovereign and omniscient, or does the god of chance rule on Earth? We are quick to credit God with blessings and healings and such, but rarely do people attribute cursings to God, as if they happen to us when we don’t “deserve” it. I think we relate pain and suffering to evil in this comfort-absorbed culture. Evil, of course, does produce a type of suffering, but the greatest suffering in history secured our only deliverence from evil. Throughout history, radical preachers were killed for their messages. Some deserved it, but many did not.
xuxagirl87 | Mar 23, 2008 | Reply
Its unfortunate that such a mess can come from this, the misguided words of a religious man.
I’ve read some of what Senator Obama has said on this matter, and though he retains enough respect for his pastor (and friend) of 20 years, to not renounce him completely for this or any other misspeaking, he has made it clear that he does stand behind such ideologies.
The senator and his pastor are two different men, and though it may have been justified to question the extent to which such words may have gone, it is not fair to assume that Senator Obama believes everything his pastor does. I therefore maintain my trust for the Senator, and his ability to lead this country.
chuckrussell | Mar 23, 2008 | Reply
Consider a hypothetical - What if Adam were to hold a gala banquet and honor Fred Phelps for his life of ministry and service to the country. What if he further dedicated the cover of our Vision magazine and an article within it to praising Phelps activities over the last 20 years. This is essentially what Wright has done. There is no moral difference between Farakahn and Phelps, in fact Farakahns influence is more widespread and thus deadly, - so the question is. Would you remain a member of Resurrection of Adam did such a thing?
moviechurch2003 | Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
Adam,
Thanks for this balanced post. I’ve been struggling as to how I should respond when people as me what I think of this issue. It’s good to hear from someone who’s actually visite the church before and heard him first-hand.
Brian Jones
www.brianjones.com
Dannar | Apr 6, 2008 | Reply
Racism: This is a difficult subject. I am afraid to say anything for fear of offending blacks, whites, Mexicans, Orientals, even fellow Christians, as well as people of other faiths. How does love of one’s friends, social group, church group, even love of Christ turn into hatred? I don’t know, and I won’t pretend to. I can only share my own experiences, feelings and fears, and then hope that someone will help find answers for me and others. I won’t try to defend or attack Barak. And I can’t make any assessment of Rev. Wright, having never attended his Church or visited with his congregation. I will have to accept Adam’s assessment of the Reverend, but I would be more interested in the views of his congregation, because, in my opinion, the views and actions of the congregation speak best for the pastor.
Before I say anything, I want to say that I am not blaming anyone, certainly not those I love the most or even myself entirely ; I am baffled as much by my own failings as I am at others’. It is interesting that those I know the best, I love the most. No matter how great their failures! Actually, I may have even stumbled upon something central to the issue…hmmm…? Maybe if I knew everyone better I would love them all!
Okay…hmmm…I don’t know how to say what I want to… Today at church I looked around the auditorium to see how many people were at the service. As I did this, right or wrong, I looked for black people who might have started coming to the church. Ever since the service that dealt with racism at The Twilight Theater last year, I began to have expectations of a less pale-skinned congregation. Not for political correctness, not so that I could brag that my church was fully integrated (though I might do this), but because, ever since the service at Twilight Theater last year ,I have been acutely aware, maybe even a little paranoid, about the non-integration (I won’t say segregation) of black and white Christians here in Kansas City.
This bothers me because it seems against Christ that we should worship apart. It feels like two sides of a family that had a feud long ago and never emptied themselves of their grudges. Coming from a broken family, I have worked all my life to keep the two sides from the friction that started before the divorce of my parents. It was not pretty, and it was often heartbreaking, but I always tried.
Today, all Christians are my family: Catholics, Baptists, Methodists (“This ism, that ism, ism ism ism” as a very famous ex-hippie put it). There have been many divorces and separations between these groups in history, but “blackism” and “whiteism” seems to even separate the other “isms.”
So, back to today, I saw a black teenager with his family. A warm gut instinct made me smile. I was happy to know that this family didn’t see the overwhelming pale-skin population as in any way defining what we believed in. But almost immediately, if not concurrently, I felt shame. After all, I’d passed dozens of white people with only nods, but when I saw him I felt a Christian gladness.
Martin Luther king is one of my idols. I was born in the year he died, and throughout my childhood I heard his “dream” broadcast again and again, and I guess it became part of my dream, but now it is 40 years since his death, and though we may have reached the other side if the mountain, race relations are not “all milk and honey.” I have no explanation for why, but I know we have to grow more together than apart. There are not two Kingdoms of God, and there are not two Heavens, so we have to walk together, hand in hand, as Rev M.L. King dreamt would be so…
So, when I saw that teenager here with his family, I smiled.
This reply is getting too long. I had intended to say more about my black friends and my white friends, how they don’t always hide so well their paranoia’s and their grudges. They are my age, and I know well how these particular grudges began. Racism was not wiped out during my childhood and not today. I endure, though ignore, racist remarks from those who I know well. I know them to well, not to love them. I’ve argued too long to think that I can change them. I secretly pity them for their irrational fears and paranoias, but I still love them.
So… I at least cannot blame Barak as a person or a Christian for staying loyal to his pastor, and I even understand Wright’s point of view on many things (from the little I know), but anger (as Adam pointed out today) will only cause a sickness of the soul, and it is highly contagious. Revenge is sweet for a few moments, sometimes, but the peace that comes from love endures…
So, I have more observances than answers. For the fuller account, there will be a book (LOL)…
Anyway, I’ve lived long enough to know that this is as much as I have to offer many times. And, with the help of the observations of others, I think this can be a lot. I do believe that we cannot love one another better until we know one another better. And to truly know someone is to know the ugliness that saddens their beauty. But God knows us all, I’ve heard, and still loves us. Christ knew Peter would betray him before Peter did himself…We’ve all betrayed Christ in something small or great. He knows our ugliest side and took its burden upon himself. I can never truly know anyone as God knows us, but I believe God does, and he thought we were worth saving. So maybe it’s worth getting to know one another better. Maybe we’ll find we love someone we thought we hated.
And that’s the best I can do for an answer…Help will be greatly appreciated…:-)