Barack Obama’s church has told the Lie of the Month when it said that, “Trinity United Church of Christ’s ministry is inclusive and global.”
That, alone, would be bad enough, but the public statement from the church tells me a lot more about the church than Wright’s sermons ever could.
Here’s a paragraph from the church’s statement that interested me. Tell me if you notice anything missing:
The following ministries have been developed under Dr. Wright’s ministerial tutelage for social justice: assisted living facilities for senior citizens, day care for children, pastoral care and counseling, health care, ministries for persons living with HIV/AIDS, hospice training, prison ministry, scholarships for thousands of students to attend historically black colleges, youth ministries, tutorial and computer programs, a church library, domestic violence programs and scholarships and fellowships for women and men attending seminary.
You know what I don’t see there? I don’t see one single thing about winning people to Jesus. I don’t see anything there about preaching the Bible and leading people to the saving knowledge of Jesus’ immeasurable sacrifice for them. I see nothing there about salvation or atonement. I see nothing there that comes anywhere close to the Great Commission that Jesus Christ gave to all believers, everywhere.
Imagine that a white man, lost and needing Jesus’ redemption, came into that church on a day when Wright was accusing America of manufacturing the HIV or of earning the attacks of 9/11. Would that man have heard of his need for salvation? Would he have felt comfortable coming back? We all know he would not. Wright would have driven that man even farther away from God because he felt it better to push his own agenda than preach the Bible. I wonder how many thousands of people have come through his church without ever hearing of the great sacrifice Jesus made so that everyone, regardless of gender, color, social status, or nationality, could spend eternity in Heaven? I suspect the number will shame Wright if indeed it is important to him.
Now there is nothing wrong with a church reaching out to the community, providing aid and comfort to the afflicted as much as it possibly can. Every church should seek to do as much good in this world as possible. But all of those outreach missions are a distant second to the most important job a church has, that of preaching the saving gospel of the Bible. Any church that is performing that mission vigorously will be far too busy for its preacher to be spewing hate from the pulpit or to brag about its manifold good works on this earth.
(via Ed Morrissey)
UPDATE: Welcome, readers of the New York Times Political Caucus blog and RealClearPolitics! While you’re here, drop in a discussion of Barbies and Bad Guys, see who’s blaming Iran on whom, and see what happens when you’re responsible with your money. And if you’ve a yen to do some shopping, I’d be much obliged it you hit any of the Amazon links. It’d help a ton!
[...] Jimmie: You know what I don’t see there? I don’t see one single thing about winning people to Jesus. I don’t see anything there about preaching the Bible and leading people to the saving knowledge of Jesus’ immeasurable sacrifice for them. I see nothing there about salvation or atonement. I see nothing there that comes anywhere close to the Great Commission that Jesus Christ gave to all believers, everywhere. [...]
Does the following make you feel better?
From http://www.tucc.org/about.htm
The Pastor as well as the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to a 10-point Vision:
1. A congregation committed to ADORATION.
2. A congregation preaching SALVATION.
3. A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
4. A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.
5. A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
6. A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
7. A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
8. A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
9. A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
10. A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/jwalking/
Above is a link to David Kuo blog Beliefnet.
He offers some very good insight – and praise – for Sen. Obama’s ability to separate the “sin” from the “sinner”
Anyone who bothers to research Sen. Obama’s writings, read any of his books understands that when he went to Chicago as a community organizer at 27 years of age – not a as a child — he was advised to join the Church to understand the plight of the black man. That this would help him do a better job in the community.
Obama came to Chicago with a black face but as a white man.
The multiple culture and as Obama says “little bits of America” in him are what makes him truly unique. He stayed at the Church for the good works they did for the community. This is not in dispute.
That over the course of 20 years Rev Wright said some deplorable things is also not in dispute.
What is most upsetting about this whole episode is that if thinking people are willing to abandon a cause and a movement based on a few minutes of targeted, isolated video – how commited were they in the first place?
Obama is the same man he was before FOX and co started incessantly replaying the same clips over and over again.
Was what Wright said about 9/11 vile? Yes but I hate to tell you what my Rabbi said at the service after 9/11 and am glad for his sake no one videotaped it
Obama is to be commended not derided for being able to separate the messenger from the message –
Maybe if we had people in government who could do this we would not be having the fifth anniversary of a pointless war this week
If we allow ourselves to be manipulated by YOU TUBE then shame on us all
I wonder just how many members of this AfroCentric church are missionaries in Africa. Last I looked it was Rev Rick Warren partnering with the President of Rwanda to help that nation.
Allison – Who said anything about abandoning the mission, or whatever it is he purports to work for? I”m not asking him to abandon anything. If he truly believes that America deserved 9/11 and that this is the a country to be closely and inseparably identified with the KKK, let him.
I would expect, though, that most Americans find such thing repugnant and will vote accordingly. What I want him to do is have some courage and take an actual stand for or against, which is something he has yet to do.
As for manipulation, well, you can equivocate all you want. What Wright said wasn’t just a couple of one-off things. He meant them and they are an undeniable part of his “ministry”. ABC didn’t have to steal the sermons in question. They bought them from the church. Is that a close enough identification with the message of hate? It is for me.
Anon – That Salvation takes second place to anything certainly wouldn’t make any Bible-believing Christian feel better. Nor would the obvious political statements that bump such things as helping Christians to grow in the faith and being a Christ-like example to the world.
HUFFINGTON POST
Obama’s Minister Committed “Treason” but When my Father Said the Same Thing He Was a Republican Hero
Frank Schaeffer, 03.16.2008
When my late father, Religious Right leader Francis Schaeffer, denounced America and called for the violent overthrow of the US government, he was invited to lunch with presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush, Sr.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....91774.html
I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Wright speak at the seminary where I work. Unlike the soundbites that are airing in the media, his message IS a message of the all-inclusive love of Jesus.
From the TUCC’s mission statement:
“We, as a church family, acknowledge, that we will, building on this affirmation of “who we are” and “whose we are,” call men, women, boys and girls to the liberating love of Jesus Christ, inviting them to become a part of the church universal, responding to Jesus’ command that we go into all the world and make disciples!”
Dennis, as to missions in Africa, the church and Dr. Wright in particular, have spent a good deal of time and money in African missions, this, in addition to the great investment they make to their local community in Chicago’s South side.
You said you did not see anything in the list of ministries about Jesus. But that is a part of all of it – -they are always bringing people to Jesus in their ministries. Dr Wright has talked about the Great Commission too.
I have attended this church myself and I was absolutely shocked when I heard these tapes like God damn America. I don’t mean to excuse those, but if all one sees is these soundbites– the most inflammatory statements out of so many hours that he preached- – one comes away with a very different impression than gained over years of hearing entire sermons. I have not attended weekly but enough to know Dr. Wright truly did not say things that extreme all the time. I would not have gone back there if that is what I kept hearing. Instead, I found inspiring his biblical knowledge and his Gospel-based emphasis on reaching out to those less fortunate.
Some people seem to think the Jim Crow era is ancient history, but it is just a few decades ago when black citizens were being beaten and even murdered – - with connivance of government entities- -for questioning in any way being cheated out of payment for their work, for coming back from the war in a military uniform and looking too proud, for even talking about wanting to vote; they were allowed only the least funded, worst equipped schols and were supposed to only have the lowest, dirtiest, most dangerous jobs; and the government conducted unethical medical experiments on unconsenting black patients.
I don’t mean I blame anyone for what others did. But the truth is that most African Americans over a certain age have some very painful memories, and these come out in emotional and even ugly ways at times. And despite the great improvements, it is not all in the past. The example Wright mentioned of taxis passing you by is something that black people no matter how professional looking, experience on a regular basis… and it grates at your nerves.
But even with regular occurrences like that, younger African Americans have opportunities our grandparents never dreamed of for education and careers, and can have relationships of equality and friendship with people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. This seems even more true for the generation after me. Those of us who are younger struggle to balance the older and newer experience – - we respect that the sacrifices and struggles of our elders have allowed us to grow beyond their experience and their views. But just like the Jews, we want to never forget what they went through.
(Sen. Obama probably expressed it better than I did, talking about how African Americans, and Americans in general, are in a stage of transition – -I think it was in his interview on CNN, and then in speaking in Indiana.)
As for a rich white man coming into the church and hearing it, I can tell you a rich black person is not given a free pass – - he might hear “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Dr. Wright consistently preached a message to the wealthy and middle class church members that they should not turn their backs or think themselves superior to those who have less.
You’re equivocating, Ariane. Wright has preached unadorned hate from his pulpit and used that hate to fuel the church.
When his church felt the need to speak out, it spoke out not as a church but as a partisan political entity.
Some people are racist and full of hate and fear. Just the thought of our Country accepting a person for their integrity, hardwork, wisdom and commitment to social causes is not enough. I’m a person that truely loves all people but I can and do think for myself. I have learned not to take everything that I hear from the pulpit personal, preachers are people too. If sermons are constantly offensive I will express my concerns and then eventually start looking for another church. In the case of this sermon I feel that all Americans were feeling all kinds of emotions; fear, anger, frustration, blame, and some guilt. There is truth to what the pastor said. The way it was said was outragious and could offend many but it was not meant for everyone it was for his flock who he felt needed to not feel like victims but to take some responsiblity for what was happening and become more empowered to change things. Sometimes both the truth and change hurts.
I’m very sorry, but I for one cannot allow vitriolic blasphemy that stares me in the face pass as “Afrocentric Christianity”. The good Rev. Wright has previously proclaimed himself a disciple of “Black Liberation Theology” and is clearly using race as a divisive wedge to promote disfunction and acrimony.
Matt. 7:15-16 (NIV)
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.
Obama should step down. There is no way he can explain himself out of this relationship with his pastor.
Wake up America.
If you want a Democrat in office, support Senator Clinton. Otherwise McCain will be the nominee.
I sincerely feel badly for Obama….I think he is a learned man who has wonderful..progressive ideas that are now severely diminished by his association with the so-called minister! Do I think he subscibes to this hateful rhetoric…no! But on the other hand how can he explain the fact that he attends this church and conciders this man his mentor? You can’t have it both ways! The past is the past….it can’t be changed….we have to move forward! This so-called minister is preaching 60’s hate rhetoric and trying to keep the racial divide alive…not trying to heal the wounds of the past! I grew up in the 60’s and remember the Civil Rights movement and all that went with it1 It was a tumultuous time and there has been incredible change for the good in the last 40 years! Let him talk about that! That said….I think that if Obama was intending to run for president he should have cut himself off from this church or expected the fallout! It really is a shame….
“…by their fruit you will recognize them.” Shannon, check out the list of ministries (http://www.tucc.org/ministries.htm) that Trinity UCC supports and perhaps you will see their good fruit. Take the time to actually read Black theologians like James Cone, and perhaps you won’t be so quick to pass them off as wolves. We’ve been living with the “vitriolic blasphemy” of Eurocentric Christianity for a thousand years, a brand of Christianity that condoned African slavery in to begin with, so I’m not sure that you have the high ground here.
[...] like, for example, Jimmie at the Sundries Shack. Here Jimmie, good Christian that he is, smears every congregant at [...]
If you don’t understand how helping the poor and needy is an integral part of bringing people to Jesus, maybe you should spend some time working with Habitat for Humanity.
We all know he would not.
As a matter of fact, regardless of what “you all know,” there are numerous testimonies all over the web, including a statement from the (majority white) United Church of Christ, about how welcoming and inspiring the Trinity church is to all people, including white people.
You’ve seen a series of five second clips editted together by someone working to make the man look as bad as possible, and you think you are in a position to judge his preaching, his career, and how he runs his church? What a larf.
Wright has preached unadorned hate from his pulpit and used that hate to fuel the church.
That’s interesting, Jimmie. Please, fill us in on the multiple sermons you’ve sat through from the Reverend Wright, which led you to that conclusion.
Wake Up America was right. A vote for Obama is a vote for McCain in the white house. Obama is not what he wants America to belive. His explainations are silly. You really have to listen to what he says because his expainations are specific yet allow people to hear what they want to hear.
He was into the music that is why he forgot to put his hand on his heart when on stage with Edwards, Richardson, and Clinton in Iowa during the National Anthem. Never mind he could see them and they all had their hands on their hearts.
He just asked Tony Resko to look at at his home since he was a Real Estate developer and let him know if it was a good deal. That what he told Time Magazine. Never mind that Resko’s wife who makes $30,000 per year bought the lot next door for over a million and sold him 10 feet of it latter. Resko got no financial gain from the deal but by buying it Obama was allowed to get his home. Seller required both lot and home closed on the same day. Resko is on trail for kickbacks because he peddeled political influence but I am sure he bought(his wife) bought that lot just because he was a good friend. Certainly there was nothing in it for Resko right?… at least that is what Obama wants you to believe.
He went to a church for 20 years but he NEVER WAS SITTING THERE WHEN THOSE WORDS WERE SPOKEN. See how specific that is. What he does not answer is the general tone of those comments were probably head many times. It is obvious Reverand Wright is very angry, prejudice, and hates white people. How has this afected Obma after 20 years of influence from his spiritual leader. Is that how Obama
feels? Is wife’s slip of the tongue that this is the first time in her adult life that she is proud of american makes a lot of sense now. Lets not forget this is where they brought there children to church… the congregation was excited as Reverend Wright made these hate filled comments. The Church agreed with his comments. The church now is angrey at Obama and feels he threw Wright under the bus. Why would that be? Perhaps because they know that Obama agrees with his spiritual advisor and his message of unity with whites is an act. More will come out and he will continue to give America silly explainations that make no sense.
Hopefully America will wake up before it is too late.
joe – The church is selling those sermons. That’s how ABC got them.
Y’know, it’s funny. You could easily condemn a church that quotes a Bible verse that says that homosexuality is a sin and call that divisive, but Wright gets a pass.
Give it a rest. In America the imperial grand marshall of the KKK can on a major new station Fox to be exact, say they are going to kill Obama if he is elected president but a pastor of a church can not make TRUE STATEMENTS about the WHITE AMERICANS running the country without being persecuted and his members being victimized for statements made by him. Obama is not his pastor. Does Hillary even go to church? What is her pastor saying about racial segregation that still exist even in the presidential campaign today. When will the face of America have no color. When will believe start judging people by the contents of their character and not the color of thier skin. Why does not white America admit that they are afraid that if elected Obama’s governmental platform will be racially bias just as their have been for all these year. Example Katrina. Well, I think not, Senator Obama is bigger than that. He speaks of a government that is not a democracy but a republic, that includes all people just as our founding fathers intended for it to be. He is speaking of a government that is based on the organic constitution and not the corporate constitution that we have been taught in school. A constitution that is the Constitution for the United States of America. Not that corporate constitution that says the CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. People it is time for a new government that does not create racial division. One that makes every politician accountable for their actions to the constituency that elected them to office. One where the politicians are not concerned about further personal agendas but providing a service that will cater to the will of the people. Senator Obama will be elected. Sorry folks God will prevail. It is time for man to realized that his arms are too short to box with God and that it is time for his will to be done. Man is not more powerful than the source. Let’s stop the BS, the truckload of scandal is with the Clintons and Senator McCain. Please quit grabbing for straws. Obama is probably one of the cleaniness politicians that I have seen in my life-time run for office. The Obama’s are clean and decent people. That is what we need in the White House. His campaign has product out so many positive things. We now understand more about the political process. There are more people getting involved in the process than ever before. We are paying attention to politics in record numbers. That in itself says a lot about his campaign of hope. We need a change and he is the only candidate that truly represents change. Google Clinton Scandals and you will understand what I mean. Media, get real and report the real issues. This is your country too and the American people don’t need slanted reporting. They need the truth.
Williams – What you consider true, I consider laughable. Luckily for me, I have facts on my side. All you have is hate.
I don’t envy you.
Imagine that a white man, lost and needing Jesus’ redemption, came into that church on a day when Wright was accusing America of manufacturing the HIV or of earning the attacks of 9/11.
I gotta say, having gone to a church as a kid that only saw black faces in the pews when they visited, this amuses me. No, churches don’t really segregate by race anymore, not openly or consciously. But do you think there are still churches in America where you won’t find a black face on any given Sunday? Pretty obviously, there are. So to imagine that blacks would not also desire to have their own churches that teach a message that is suited to their own people is a little, eh…silly.
[...] Neo-neocon Micky Kaus Betsy Newmark Small Dead Animals Libertas Prof. Bainbridge American Digest Sundries Shack Paragraph Farmer Melanie Phillips Wizbang Ann Althouse Ambivablog How to Win Friends and [...]
You shouldn’t feel bad about Salvation takes second place to Adoration on the list of TUCC’s mission statements, Jimmie. Do you what is meant by Adoration?
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01151a.htm
Get the facts on your side, Jimmie and don’t let it, um, colored by other emotions…
I wish there was a way to re-edit one’s comments to correct the obvious mistakes…
And today Obama actually said Trinity couldn’t be black racists because the congregation is 99% white.
Raino, the actual quote according to what I see on the net is:
“United Church of Christ is, by the way, a 99 percent white denomination.”
You are welcome to argue the fine points (UCC/TUCC) but you are, um, misspeaking here. Tsk.