Posted on 08/05/2008 12:06:55 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
A new ad by Sen. John McCain has caused controversy because of its use of religious imagery. The ad features images of Obama and Charlton Heston playing Moses. Flashing across the screen, pictures of Obama’s rapturous greeting in Berlin alternate with the phrase “The One.” The ad is an attempt at satire, poking fun at the quasi-messianic enthusiasm with which Obama was greeted in Europe. But is there more to it?
Writing in an article on Beliefnet.com, Mara Vanderslice, an evangelical Democrat and founder of the political group Matthew25.org, argues that the ad implies that Obama supporters see him as taking the place of the true Messiah, and just so as the Antichrist. “As Christians, we have one Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ. It is blasphemous to suggest otherwise,” Vanderslice wrote.
In case you think Vanderslice is seeing something that is not there, bear in mind that Hal Lindsay, an evangelical writer argued in the WorldNetDaily that “Obama’s world tour provided a foretaste of the reception he [the Antichrist] can expect to receive…it seems the world is now ready to make his acquaintance.” Lindsay was not saying Obama was the Antichrist, but he certainly was blurring the lines. The idea that Obama is somehow a precursor to the Antichrist is not very soothing either.
This blog has argued consistently that religion has a place in the public square, that our politics and our civilization have paid too high of a price for the secularization of the polity and of the culture. But, it is also that case that religion must make itself reasonable, for its own sake, but especially when it enters the public square. Hal Lindsay should be thrown under the bus with John Hagee and Jeremiah Wright. The mantle of religion does not give anyone the right to be a nutjob with impunity.
What is refreshing is that such charges are being answered from within the evangelical community. There was a time when they would have had the airwaves to themselves. Earlier this year, when James Dobson, a leading conservative evangelical, attacked Obama a website went up called www.jamesdobsondoesnotspeakforme.com. The website was the brainchild of Kirbyjon Caldwell, an evangelical preacher who gave the closing prayer at George W. Bush’s first inaugural. The discovery of divergence within the evangelical community will not only help our nation’s politics, it will help the churches regain some humility. Vanderslice’s push back against those who are trying to paint Obama as the Antichrist is more evidence that the evangelical community is gaining in maturity. They are discovering what we Catholics have known for a long time: there are many ways to apply the teachings of Christ and as a Church it is wise to follow the dictum: in essential things unity, in inessential things diversity and in all things charity.
He reminds me of the anit-Christ in the “Left Behind” series.
Kinda creeps me out.
anit s/b “anti”
For some of Obamas followers, this IS nothing less than idol worship.
LOL!!!!!
He certainly is creepy.
Well, at least they didn’t call it racist ; )
ObamaChrist...
Obama is not smart enough to be the Anti-Christ....the prophecies foretell of one who can deceive “even the elect”.
Obama fools only air-headed liberals, the media, College Professors, and the cast and crew of Girls Gone Wild.
Well, we are still not sure where he was born.
Just sayin’
more people need to see that series (Left behind). it’s amazing to note the sameness.
Think about it. That is today's Elect.
The Church leaders, the Members of the Democrat Party, the politicians of Europe, the terrorists in the Middle East, Hollywood Stars, ad nauseum.
I guess the question is how do you define "elect"?
How about this? Mr. Obama is a sissy boy.
He’s AN Anti-Christ, in that he opposes all Christ stands for.
But he’s not THE Anti-Christ — too many people can’t stand him, and when it comes down to brass tacks, the dude’s an egotistical idiot.
The real Anti-Christ will draw the complete adoration and absolute devotion of millions. He will not appear bumbling, self-centered and racist.
Obama has gone international. All of Europe loves him. Muslim countries love him. Africa loves him. And a lot of Americans are going to vote for him.
Much of the world is prepared to bow to him.
And I made that same exact observation to my wife and friends last week without knowing that Mr. Lindsey said it. I think it's a valid observation.
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