A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO BARACK OBAMA'S ELECTION

"Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king." 1 Peter 2:17

"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." Proverbs 21:1

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." Romans 13:1-2


Christians are called by God to show honor and respect to our leaders. This is an unconditional command, and should only be questioned if such leaders require believers to renounce their faith, worship anyone other than God (see Daniel chapter 3), or personally sin against God. This requires much restraint on the part of the Christian, since most world leaders do not hold beliefs in line with Biblical teaching.

Although Barack Obama calls himself a Christian, his personal theology seems heavily slanted toward humanism. He is also much less of a fundamentalist conservative than his predecessor, George Bush. This is bound to cause problems between President Obama and fundamentalist Christians and right-wing conservatives. Addressing United Church of Christ members in June 2007, Obama challenged "so-called leaders of the Christian right" for being "all too eager to exploit what divides us."

Barack Obama has made it clear that he would like to unite all peoples under a common banner of unity and peace. It will be difficult for him to accomplish this, however, when he supports (or even initiates) laws that enable and condone behaviors such as abortion and homosexuality, which the Bible clearly denounces. It would be naive to think that Obama will seek to placate Christian groups in any way, except where it benefits larger interest groups as well.

Thus, a follower of Jesus Christ must determine whether to follow the clear directive in God's Word: "Honor the king", or rebel against the leaders that God has set up. If a believer chooses to rebel for the sake of righteousness, that person should consider carefully that God "establishes kings and removes them." (Daniel 2:21) Even when Saul was unrighteous in his pursuit of David with intent to kill him, David would not lift his hand against the king. Even when the apostle Paul was struck at the command of the High Priest, and Paul insulted him --- Paul was remorseful when he found out that he had insulted the High Priest. (Acts chapter 23)

God wants people everywhere, especially his children, to show respect for their leaders. Followers of Christ are to be examples to the world, and not emulate the disrespectful behaviors that have been so prevalent in President Bush's tenure in office.