I Pray the Lord Your Soul to Take
A teachers union takes a cue from an “avant-garde” fundamentalist preacher. Union Memo Hints At N.J. Gov.’s Death “Dear lord,’ this year you have taken away my favorite actor, Patrick Swayze, my favorite actress, Farrah Fawcett, my favorite singer, Michael Jackson, and my favorite salesman, Billy Mays. I just wanted to let you know that Chris Christie is my favorite governor.”
I’ve seen that passed around for weeks in emails and text messages, only instead of Chris Christie it was President Obama.
Susan,
I haven’t seen that…but when I have heard people speak about our President this way, I have corrected it. It is wicked, no matter who it is directed to.
I haven’t seen that…but when I have heard people speak about our President this way, I have corrected it. It is wicked, no matter who it is directed to.
Roger Carlson, Pastor Berean Baptist Church
I’m not sure it’s wicked since the thing is laid out like a joke. It’s intended to expresses dissatisfaction w/the fill-in-the-blank leader in a humorous way. Since American governors and presidents are not kings, these roles are defined by constitutions and political culture. Around here, the latter includes not only permission but the expectation that citizens will express dissent and strong disapproval—sometimes in satirical ways.
Of course, we believers have a higher standard and should render honor to whom honor is due, but the “honor that is due” is still defined by constitutions and political culture. So there is more freedom there even for believers than there might seem to be.
All the same, opponents of an administration have to think seriously about public perception and whether saying certain things or in a certain way is going to hurt their cause more than help it.
Of course, we believers have a higher standard and should render honor to whom honor is due, but the “honor that is due” is still defined by constitutions and political culture. So there is more freedom there even for believers than there might seem to be.
All the same, opponents of an administration have to think seriously about public perception and whether saying certain things or in a certain way is going to hurt their cause more than help it.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
Approaching the throne of grace boldly is no matter for mirth or for political statements. God is holy and must be used for only reverent, God honoring purposes that respects His holiness and in no way makes Him to appear to be common, base and vulgar. We have to remember that God is a consuming fire, the sovereign Creator and judge. Politics is a secular matter and should be dealt with on secular terms using secular speech forms, not joke prayers. It takes a person who presumes his standing before God based on either a diminished view of God or an elevated view of himself to turn the grace of God into lasciviousness by turning prayer into a comedy club routine and Christian fellowship into a laughing parlor peanut gallery.
And allow me to also say that because of my extremely negative feelings towards our president’s policies and behavior, I find that the best way to avoid violating Romans 13 and Mark 12:17 with respect to the fellow is to speak of him as little as possible other than when I am obeying 1 Timothy 2:1-2’s commandment to pray for him. I wish that I had also done the same regarding our current president’s two predecessors, but I was much more brazen with my speech back then.
And allow me to also say that because of my extremely negative feelings towards our president’s policies and behavior, I find that the best way to avoid violating Romans 13 and Mark 12:17 with respect to the fellow is to speak of him as little as possible other than when I am obeying 1 Timothy 2:1-2’s commandment to pray for him. I wish that I had also done the same regarding our current president’s two predecessors, but I was much more brazen with my speech back then.
Solo Christo, Soli Deo Gloria, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Sola Scriptura http://healtheland.wordpress.com
[JobK] Approaching the throne of grace boldly is no matter for mirth or for political statements. God is holy and must be used for only reverent, God honoring purposes that respects His holiness and in no way makes Him to appear to be common, base and vulgar. We have to remember that God is a consuming fire, the sovereign Creator and judge. Politics is a secular matter and should be dealt with on secular terms using secular speech forms, not joke prayers. It takes a person who presumes his standing before God based on either a diminished view of God or an elevated view of himself to turn the grace of God into lasciviousness by turning prayer into a comedy club routine and Christian fellowship into a laughing parlor peanut gallery.
And allow me to also say that because of my extremely negative feelings towards our president’s policies and behavior, I find that the best way to avoid violating Romans 13 and Mark 12:17 with respect to the fellow is to speak of him as little as possible other than when I am obeying 1 Timothy 2:1-2’s commandment to pray for him. I wish that I had also done the same regarding our current president’s two predecessors, but I was much more brazen with my speech back then.
I have to agree with Job on this one. Imprecatory prayer - even if the believers should practice it - is no laughing matter and represents a clear violation of the NT commands to honor and respect the rulers that have been ordained by God.
I also find that it’s best to avoid talking about the President as well, and I think that we’d all be better off to spend as little time digesting his new positions on matters as much as possible. Be informed, but don’t be so much into it that your walk with God or your trust in Him and His Goodness is shaken.
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
I am grateful to see others who find these jests go too far. I understand that it is meant in a humorous way, but ultimately you’re expressing a desire - in prayer - that an unsaved man will die. He is behaving after the nature of his wicked heart, which is of course something we should oppose. But my impression from Scripture is that we are to pray for our leaders to make wise decisions and to allow us to worship in peace.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, 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. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, 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. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4
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