Barack Obama
By now most people are aware of the presidential primaries taking place within our country. On the Republican side, there’s Senator John McCain who’s virtually locked up his party’s nomination. And on the Democratic side, there are Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, who are still battling toward a showdown at their convention involving super delegates.
This truly has been one of the most extraordinary presidential races in at least the last 40 years. Whoever is elected president, Republican or Democrat, will make history in some manner. However, for right now, Senator Barack Obama’s at the center of the political stage. He is attracting crowds the size of NBA playoff games and rock concerts where tickets are hard to get. Wherever he speaks, arenas are packed as people wait in line for hours to listen to the speeches of this gifted orator. People have even created sneakers with his picture.
What are we to make of the phenomenal excitement created by this leader who has a better than average chance of being elected to the most powerful job on our planet? McCain and Clinton have recently, and will more regularly, criticize his speeches as dreams lacking substantive solutions. And yet, it has not stopped arenas from being jammed-packed to hear what Senator Obama has to say.
What is even more incredible–a word I think is overused, but not in this case–is the number of young people from ages 18 – 30 years who have actively become engaged in this particular election. They are coming out in droves in order to be involved in the process with an enthusiasm not seen since the protest of hippies back in the 60’s. So many young men and women have turned out in support of Obama that this seems to have turned from an election into a movement. And why is this the case?
Maybe the bottom line is: People, particularly young people, really want HOPE. College student Brittany Washington is one of millions of young people who have had enough negative experiences with our country’s health and educational system to be extremely cynical (See Obama Supporter Brittany Washington). Yet she’s an example of one of those young people whom Senator Obama’s message, “The Audacity of Hope”, has moved from spectator to participator.
I’m neither going to persuade you as to for whom to vote, nor should you infer from this article for whom I am voting. What is clear is that Senator Obama is proving every week that in our country hope continues to be a staple that’s in very short supply. One Biblical author writes: “So these three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love…” (1 Corinthians 13:13; NCV). Of course, he assumed that hope would be found in heaven not in politics. Then again, I certainly invite your thoughts!
sending...
Dear Bishop Greene,
I think your blog subjects are great and this one is speaking to my spirit.
Here are some of my thoughts. I have not been alive long enough to compare presidential races but I think we can agree that this race is and will be one of the most historical races in
American history. And yes, at center stage is Barack Obama. I was thinking to
myself today, “what is it about Obama’s message that has resonated with people so highly?” Are we as Americans wired to believe in something greater and better than ourselves? if so, is Obama playing off of that?
The more and more I listen to Obama, I see the subtle Judeo-Christian
influences. The conversational preacher tone. The message of Hope and the
audacity of Hope, which has scriptural basis in 1 Corinthians 13:13; NCV as you have noted. Is he posing himself as the NEW political Joshua for America? If so then what is this new “promise land” that people want? I think the most important thing to take home is the fact that his ideals are attractive but it is his character that carries weight (referring to your sermon two sundays ago on “weight”). We can agree that most Americans believe the poor deserve access to healthcare and that there should be limits on the privatization of the educational system. But what brings Obama to “global phenomenon” status is the credibility of his character. His consistency of good character in the Senate and his personal life makes it appear to most of his supporters that he is someone who can actually deliver on his word. Yes he has loads of talent, but I think it is his character as a human being that makes his political rhetoric come alive.
best regards,
Christopher Hope
Bishop Greene,
I pray all is well and I miss you guys! In terms of the “Obama” movement, I agree that his message of hope, coupled with his message of change, is stirring up something in people. Also, the context within which the Democratic race is taking place is very interesting. In fact, Obama and Clinton represent two different ideologies (in my opinion). If Clinton’s president, then that would mean that for the last 2-3 decades, our country will have been run by 2 families. Therefore, Obama’s message of hope and change resonates with people who want something different.
Aside from the political side, I often struggle with the “role” of Christians in the realm of politics. It’s funny because I normally criticize politicians for not really demonstrating Jesus’ love with regards to helping improve the lives of everyone. Therefore, I always felt no real reason for me to get into (or really learn about) politics because I don’t trust them. However, talking to my brother as he heard me complain, he said something very interesting. He said that the reason why I have so many issues with politics and the fact that, according to him I had a “squeaky clean” image, I should get involved in politics. Now I feel like my calling is in education and if I did get into politics, it would be on a more local level (e. g. school board, city council). However, I’m still not clear (maybe I never will be) as to the role we as Christians should play in the political arena. Initially, I feel like we can bring about massive change, and put pressure on politicians to bring about massive change by doing things on a more grassroots level “outside” of the political realm (e. g. Martin Luther King). But then again, Jesus was in the midst of the troubles and corruptions of His time and changed them through Love. Are there any theological positions on the role of Christians in politics? Just a few thoughtz