Posted by
JayPeriod on Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:05:44 PM
The pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, Jeremiah Wright, is in the news, primarily because he is the pastor of the church Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama attends. Were it not for this fact, he would most likely occupy the thoughts of average Americans no more than Pastor Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. Yet, here he is, in the spotlight, making statements that should embarrass the Senator.
Of course, we are told that Sen. Obama cannot be held responsible for the statements of his pastor. This is true. The Senator has not more control over what the man says than anyone else. What I do have a problem with is the way he handles what is said.
Every Sunday I attend the church of my choice. I enjoy the worship service, the people, and the messages which come from the pulpit on a weekly basis. The pastor is an intelligent man, wise in Bible history and interpretation. I learn a lot from sitting under his teaching.
After watching the video of Pastor Wright, though, I have to admit, if my pastor delivered a sermon like that, I would have to approach him afterwards and question what that had to do with the Bible. If it happened on a regular basis, I would most likely find a new church.
While it is true that we are not responsible for what someone else says, we are responsible for ourselves if we continue to sit under such talk. By continuing to stay in that church, the Senator opens himself up to scrutiny as to whether he actually believes what is said and feels the same way. If he does not find it offensive enough to leave, does he really find it offensive at all?
A pastor such as Pastor Wright, just like Pastor Phelps, has a responsibility to God and the people they lead to preach and teach from the Word of God. When they step outside of the parameters set forth in the Bible, they have stopped speaking for God. They then do more harm to their congregations than good, and should be confronted by their members. If those members say nothing and continue to sit under such teaching, they become responsible for what they are hearing. They open themselves to ridicule and criticism.
Unlike Pastor Phelps, whose congregation is almost entirely family, Pastor Wright's congregation chooses to attend and listen each week. By doing so, they support and approve of such racist and damaging speech. They, then, are responsible for every word that comes from that pulpit, Senator Obama right along with them.