Now these are the same folks who argue that Obama's preacher screaming "God damn America" doesn't matter, and that the publication of terrorist propaganda in his church's newsletter shouldn't reflect poorly on him. But somehow they want to make these statements into something that should cause someone to look askance at Sarah Palin.

Mike Rose, senior pastor at Juneau Christian Center

• From an April 27, 2008 sermon: “If you really want to know where you came from and happen to believe the word of God that you are not a descendant of a chimpanzee, this is what the word of God says. I believe this version.”
  
• From a July 8, 2007 sermon: “Those that die without Christ have a horrible, horrible surprise.”
  
• From a July 28, 2007 sermon: “Do you believe weÂ’re in the last days? After listening to Newt Gingrich and the prime minister of Israel and a number of others at our gathering, I became convinced, and I have been convinced for some time. We are living in the last days. These are incredible times to live in.”

Now let's consider Pastor Rose's statements.

The first, on evolution, isn't one that troubles me even though I think it is wrong. Within Christianity, there is a healthy range of opinion on the issue of human origins, from out-and-out creationism to various forms of Intelligent Design to unquestioning acceptance of evolution with the Genesis accounts being seen as an allegory. Indeed, Pastor Rose's position is what Christians generally have accepted for most of the history of Christianity, and so I'm not terribly troubled -- even though I consider him to be wrong. And especially since Palin has clearly stated her support for teaching evolution, this does not reflect upon her in any significant way.

The second shouldn't surprise anyone. This is a pretty standard interpretation of the words of Christ himself -- "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And while theological debate exists on what (if any) provisions God makes for those who have never heard the Gospel preached, I'm not familiar with any orthodox Christian body that denies this essential truth of Christianity. Why this would be seen as scandalous by the writers is beyond me.

The third? We Christians are called to always be prepared for the return of Christ. The Bible offers clues as to what that will look like -- but also tells us that no one knows the day or the hour. I don't find the kind of speculation Rose engages in to be theologically or spiritually fruitful -- but I fail to see how such a belief would disqualify someone from holding public office.

David Pepper, senior pastor at Church on the Rock:

• From an November 25, 2007 sermon: “The purpose for the United States isÂ… to glorify God. This nation is a Christian nation.”
  
• From an October 28, 2007 sermon: “God will not be mocked. I donÂ’t care what the ACLU says. God will not be mocked. I donÂ’t care what atheists say. God will not be mocked. I donÂ’t care whatÂ’s going on in the nation today with so much horrific rebellion and sin and things that take place. God will not be mocked. Judgment Day is coming. Where do you stand?”
  
• From an October 28, 2007 sermon: “Just giving in a little bit is a disastrous thingÂ…You canÂ’t serve both man and God. It is one or the other.”

Okay, let's look at the highlighted quotes from Pastor Pepper.

I'll break the first one in half. After all, Scripture clearly tells us that the purpose of all creation is to glorify God, so no one should find that part troubling. The second part, about America as a Christian nation, again should not be terribly troubling -- it recognizes the reality that from the very founding of the earliest Spanish, French, British colonies upon this continent, America has been a nation with an over-whelmingly Christian heritage, made up overwhelmingly of Christians. Our heritage is springs from the Judeo-Christian tradition contained in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. Our heritage is not Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, or atheist -- America is historically,culturally and religiously, if not constitutionally, a Christian nation.

The second one should not even raise an eyebrow. "God will not be mocked." Judgment Day is coming." You call that controversial and extreme? You would have to be an absolute ninny with no knowledge of Christian theology to be taken aback by a preacher saying such things.

The third should be even less surprising. For a Christian, God comes first. Duh.

So I have to ask a question. Why highlight these quotes as in any way controversial? What is the agenda here?

Posted by: Greg at 03:00 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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