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Title: Why You Should Think Twice before Bad-mouthing Obama
Source:
Bible Study Tools
URL Source: http://www.biblestudytools.com/blog ... =email&utm_campaign=03/18/2015
Published: Mar 18, 2015
Author: Mark Altrogge
Post Date: 2015-03-18 11:21:41 by redleghunter
Ping List: *Religious History and Issues* Subscribe to *Religious History and Issues*
Keywords: None
Views: 11025
Comments: 44
Conservative ex-rocker Ted Nugent recently described President Obama as a “subhuman mongrel.” Later he told Dallas-based talk radio host Ben Ferguson, “I do apologize—not necessarily to the president—but on behalf of much better men than myself.” PJ O’Rourke said, “Barack Obama is more irritating than the other nuisances on the left,” according to brainyquote.com There is even a Facebook page called “People Against Our IDIOT President Obama” It doesn’t surprise me that people would make these kinds of comments about our president. People have probably said similar things about every president. But what grieves me is when I hear Christians making these kinds of comments about our president, or posting comments like these on Facebook. Peter told his readers to “honor everyone.” Then after exhorting them to “fear God,” he exhorted them to “honor the Emperor.” Do you know who the Emperor was when Peter wrote this? Nero. One of the most wicked tyrants in history. He executed opponents, persecuted Christians, and even killed his own mother. It is reported that he had Christians dipped in oil or wax, impaled them on poles, and set them on fire as torches. In the Circus Maximus, he often wrapped them in animal skins and threw them to lions or dogs that tore them apart in front of the spectators. Yet Peter told believers to honor this man. We must honor those in power above us because God placed them there and gave them their authority. Paul said, “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1). Therefore, God calls us to honor President Obama. This does not mean we have like him or agree with anything he does or believe he is a good president. But we must honor him in our hearts and with our speech. For a believer in Jesus to call President Obama an idiot is a sin, not just against the president but against God. Let me ask a question to those who complain and rant against the president. Do you pray for him as much as you criticize him? Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 2, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, and intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1–2). God commands us to pray for our leaders. Do you? God takes his word very seriously. If we dishonor the President there may be consequences in our lives for disobeying God’s command. These consequences will be worse than anything the president does to us by his policies. So, honor Barack Obama. Whether you like him or not. Whether you agree with him or not. If you don’t know how to honor him, it would be better to say nothing and simply pray for him.
Poster Comment: Please note this is an OP/ED piece from a pastor to generate discussion.
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#7. To: redleghunter (#0)
Utter drivel in its absolute context. According to Pastor Altrogge, shall we just as well have knelt before Anton LeVey if he were President? And now 0bola? WHERE is it written that we should "honor" Evil?? Forgiveness and praying for a satanist or our enemy to find wisdom and repentance is NOT the same as "honoring" a satanic "leader" whose goal is to murder and maim us. More drivel from liberal, apologist "Pastor": "God takes his word very seriously. If we dishonor the President there may be consequences in our lives for disobeying God’s command." Baloney. We "dishonor" the Lord by "honoring" Evil. We are called to "resist evil.
Context is everything. In 1st century AD Rome if you went out in front of the Senate and hurled dung at Caesar as he marched by and told him you oppose his political stance of throwing Christians to the lions...then I see Peter's point. You would be as good as dead. I think the point he tries to skirt here is, yes we can be critical but as Christians we don't have to be 'monsters' or 'ugly' about how we do it. Here's an example of two ways to approach a simple subject. I think we both agree that the emperor's policies, at least most of them are from the pits of hell. So here are two approaches on how to 'protest' or opine on the hellian policies: 1. write an OP/ED showing the emperor he has no clothes and he is surrounded with bad leadership. Meets the intent of Pastor Altrogge. Right? 2. Or display your distaste for the policies of the emperor with a nice picture (worth a thousand words).
I think the point he tries to skirt here is, yes we can be critical but as Christians we don't have to be 'monsters' or 'ugly' about how we do it.... I understand the point -- there may be a high price to pay for civil disobedience...but Pastor Altrogge is specifically stressing an overiding point: That 0buma is to be "honored." However, DOES 0buma or any bloody tyrant who has hijacked authority by illegal means have a new authority to execute their wrath, injustice, and evil upon those who do and promote good? Rejecting and resisting evil, preserving life and limb, and rejecting coercion to commit evil on behalf of evil shouldn't be confused with "being ugly" or "monsters."
#17. To: Liberator (#16)
Rejecting and resisting evil, preserving life and limb, and rejecting coercion to commit evil on behalf of evil shouldn't be confused with "being ugly" or "monsters." If we go back to Peter's time and context I don't think how the author uses 'honor' was the same as then which I believe was 'respect' that authority. And respect that authority based on your highlight from Paul meaning we should be good citizens and not break the law for the good of society. Which means I doubt 1st Century AD Christians 'honored' or 'respected' the gladiator fights and fellow Christians fed to wild animals. That was evil and must be resisted.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestPeter told his readers to “honor everyone.” Then after exhorting them to “fear God,” he exhorted them to “honor the Emperor.” Do you know who the Emperor was when Peter wrote this? Nero.
#14. To: Liberator, tomder55 (#7)
Utter drivel in its absolute context.
#16. To: redleghunter (#14)
(Edited)
Context is everything. In 1st century AD Rome if you went out in front of the Senate and hurled dung at Caesar as he marched by and told him you oppose his political stance of throwing Christians to the lions...then I see Peter's point. You would be as good as dead.
Replies to Comment # 16. However, DOES 0buma or any bloody tyrant who has hijacked authority by illegal means have a new authority to execute their wrath, injustice, and evil upon those who do and promote good?
End Trace Mode for Comment # 16.
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