About a month ago, I was over a friends house helping him celebrate his wife's birthday. As usual, our time together usually ends with a deep discussion of the "heavier" things in life; religion and politics. Before I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior, I looked forward to these moments. In the past, this was the time when we bonded about our shared experiences and similar opinions about our lives. However, my friend is not a Christian and doesn't share my political views as well. Oddly enough, he gives me credit for showing him how to question things he once thought to be true. This comes from my admission that as I grew in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, I give Him credit for revealing truth to me in areas other than spiritual matters alone. On this night, my friend started talking about some reading he has done as it pertains to our political and economic system here in the United States. He, proudly, boasted about his ability to look at "both sides" of every issue in order to determine the "truth" about it. As evidence of these efforts he showed me two books he has read. The author of one of the books I recognized as a conservative. I didn't recognize the other book or its author, but assumed it was written by somebody who would be on the political and social Left. I think my friend was trying to convince me that he questioned everything and didn't just accept what he was told as the truth without question. But, as our conversation progressed, I discovered that for all his posturing about giving equal time to both sides of an issue he seemed to fall on the side of the Left, or liberal side of the issues, more often than not. For example, when we talked about the current Presidential Election, whenever he gave an opinion it seemed to be in favor of Barack Obama or, at the very least, favored the liberal position. Whenever I offered evidence that disputed his conclusions about John McCain or Sarah Palin, he always trashed them. He only proved to me that he really wasn't interested in truth, but only that which lined up with his preconceived notions about a subject. My friend, like many others, feel that by questioning the status quo they will eventually find truth. However, all they end up doing is defining truth by what they feel and what they have experienced. Therefore, they never question anything that agrees with their "standard" of truth.
"We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:16-21
Conservative radio talk show host, Rush Limbaugh, said this about Barack Obama, "Well, what do I admire about Senator Obama is that he has mastered the art of charismatic demagogue. He's a man who says nothing, literally nothing, better than anybody..." My friend, and apparenlty, millions of others have been swayed by the, empty, but highly emotional appeals of Obama without questioning the truth of his statements. How many of these individuals, who follow after charasmatic leaders without question will also turn and deny the truths of Scripture? The cartoon above illustrates this point. It shows how the miracle of Jesus turning water to wine pales in comparison to Obama gaining so much support with his empty words. What is most disturbing is how the Bible has much more evidence supporting it than much of the rhetoric proclaimed by Obama and others like him. How many times have we heard a scoffer question the divine origin of the Bible? In many cases, their only reason is that whatever evidence they would accept as proof of something being divine has not been met. But, how can someone who doesn't know God have any idea of what His Word would look like? They do not! The Bible has stronger manuscript evidence then many historical writings we accept without question. More evidence than acclaimed authors such as, Homer, Plato and Aristotle. How many of these scoffers understand that the Bible has remained nearly unaltered from its original form? Yet, the greatest testimony to the authenticity of the Bible is the eyewitness testimony of those who wrote it. One of those eyewitnesses, the Apostle Peter, says that they didn't follow cleverly invented stories. He, and others, actually took part in the amazing events they detail for us in the pages of scripture. And these events have been validated by secular sources who have nothing to gain, except for salvation, by upholding the truth of the Bible.
"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:1-4
The motto of Barack Obama's campaign is "Change We Can Believe In." His supporters are ferocious in their support. I believe they believe in this motto for three reasons. One, Obama is not President George W. Bush. The 24/7/365 onslaught of anti-George W. Bush rhetoric has led to his administration being blamed for everything deemed wrong with the country and world. This plays right into emotions of his supporters who seem to support him because of who he is not, but can any of them tell you who he is? Secondly, Obama is a Democrat. Since President Bush is a Republican, the fact that Obama in not gives him a leg up in his emotional appeal. The Republicans have been blamed for so much, whether right or wrong, that any alternative is deemed a good one. The third, and final, reason his supporters believe in his "change" is that Obama is an African-American. The historical ramifications fo him becoming President has blinded many of his followers to the truths about his character. I joked to a gentleman the other day that change is not always good. The weather could go from sunny and calm to a tornado in a matter of moments. I firmly believe that the emotional appeal of Barack Obama has trumped the fact that his policies, worldview and character are something that is dangerous. This is a perfect example of the warning Paul gave in his second letter to Timothy. Many of Obama's supporters are Christians. But, the fact that they are being led by their emotions has led to them ignoring whether or not the beliefs they claim to have are being reflected in their candidate. Obama makes them feel good. After all, he proclaims that he will "heal the planet," that the "waters will recede" and that a "light will shine down on you" making you vote for him. Sounds good, but is a total emotional appeal. Scripture warns that whe we are not grounded in truth we are tossed by every wind of teaching. For many caught up in the mania surrounding Barack Obama, they are being tossed like clothes in a washer and dryer! Who cares if is true if it feels good? It is amazing to see the unquestion support of Barack Obama by his followers. Many of them seem to look at him like he is a savior, or a messiah of sorts. They do not want to hear or acknowledge anything bad about him. They have definitely turned their ears away from truth and turned them to myths. Even when that fact of that myth is plain to them.
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