Fearing the End or Ending the Fear?

As we approach the final days of the 2008 Presidential race, there are pockets of religious, conservative Christians who also believe that we are nearing the “end” of another sort.  As a Christian, I agree that we are in what’s broadly termed “the end times.”  However, I must acknowledge a more sinister perversion of end-time theology that threatens to undermine truth in any discernible form.

Since the primaries, I have been aware of both overt and covert attempts to draw lines between Senator Barack Obama and…yes, the Antichrist.  Admitting that there are many professed believers spreading this lie is almost too painful and horrible to articulate.  In fact, my first introduction to this poisonous rumor was so frighteningly cloaked within scripture, that I purposely missed my only opportunity (before our overseas deployment) to attend a rally for the senator.  I was actually afraid that by supporting this man, I could be angering God.  Against my wishes, I stayed home, and have regretted that decision to this day.  

Living in Germany, I have watched (along with the entire world) how Sen. Obama withstands a daily barrage of attacks with the steady grace and tact that can only be derived through prayer.   Through the circulation of flyers, e-mail, and even stated boldly in the pulpit (disregarding the “law of the land” while benefitting from tax-exemption), scripture is further twisted in a desperate move to instill fear and confusion within the hearts of Christian fundamentalists.  Simply put, there is an organized effort to use religious superstition in order to attack a fellow Christian.  As a result, I am choosing to “stand up” and denounce this injustice.  Did we learn nothing from the Pharisees?  Demonizing Barack Obama is ABSOLUTELY wrong.  I could attempt to unravel the claims point by point, but I see in 1 John that it won’t be necessary…

 In 1 John 2:22 (NKJV) it states: “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?  He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.  Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”

Although it has been exhaustively reported, it is worth repeating: Sen. Obama has plainly professed his Christian faith through different outlets including the Los Angeles Times, and Rick Warren’s televised “Faith Forum” at Saddleback church.  Sen. Obama doesn’t just say, “I’m a Christian,” he explicitly states that Jesus died for his sins, and through God’s grace and mercy, he can have “everlasting life.”  His foundational beliefs are expressed through his desire to treat everyone with dignity and respect.  Isn’t that what Jesus asked us to do-love one another? 

If one is to believe the bible, this completely disqualifies Sen. Obama from being of the spirit of antichrist.  Now, there should be no more discussion, since the basic criteria for being antichrist has not been met.  

Alas, there are those who simply don’t want to believe that Obama speaks the truth.  Where are the “fruit testers” when you need them?  It’s unfortunate that this is even a topic for discussion, but I have been confronted with this fallacy too many times to ignore it.  Sadly, I expect an intensification of this ”smear” until the final ballots are cast.  No, you probably won’t hear any prominent political figure publicly try to label Sen. Obama “antichrist,” but the sentiment is being evoked, just the same…   

The opposition vacillates from celebrity to socialist, to elitist…And even “the messiah.”  Imagine my surprise, as I stumbled upon a recent interview (MSNBC TV online) with McCain campaign manager, Rick Davis. I believe it was the the morning after the last presidential debates when he sat there, making a point of saying that “Obama made a deal with the devil…” (regarding campaign financing).  That was an unusually harsh and out-of-place statement, considering the subject matter.  Are we to believe that these words were just randomly used, without any thought of their impact? 

Clearly, fear can be a great motivator-they are counting on it…But hope and love-there is nothing greater.  Please join me and many others across the nation in praying for all of our leaders and their families, for supernatural protection and continued favor (where it exists).

May every legitimate vote be counted.

Amen.