BridgeLeader Network

By David Anderson, D. Phil 11/10/08

Many Christian evangelicals, particularly white conservatives, are struggling with how to accept president-elect Barack Obama, who they believe stands for everything they are against. How can evangelicals celebrate the euphoria of one of the most dramatic wins for African Americans both symbolically and pragmatically since the emancipation proclamation?

In their view, since the president-elect Obama stands for pro-choice and some pro-gay agendas, evangelicals feel a deep tension between their loyalty to what they believe to be God-given convictions and the joyful reactions of blacks who are completely born again with positive feelings of American patriotism they have never felt before. In addition, many whites and other ethnic groups are ecstatic to see a major shift from a stained history of racism and inequality. However, many republican white evangelicals I have spoken to are upset, confused, and even angry over the new direction this historical turn is taking. The dysfunction within the evangelical community is evidenced by its struggle to separate a historical landmark with political ideology. For some Christians, a vote for Obama equated to a vote for the anti-Christ.

For evangelicals, of whom I am one, celebrating Obama’s victory is somehow equal to betraying the tenants of the Christian faith. They wonder how others can be so emotionally charged and excited over the president-elect Obama’s victory as they witness people of all colors, classes, and cultures crying, laughing, celebrating, and rejoicing while they feel nothing but detachment and confusion. In fact, one white woman came to me as a black pastor for help and said, “I really want to be happy for Obama and all, but I need help because everyone in the world is excited about it and I’m wondering if he’s the anti-Christ or something. I want to be happy too. Can you help me?”

She’s not alone. Many white evangelicals and a few black ones too, have bitten into the fallacy that if everyone is excited about Obama, then it can’t be good. We must be in the end times and God will judge the world because people are literally too happy and too positive. It must be bad.

While some evangelicals wonder if all the moral standards from scripture have been tossed out the window with an Obama presidency the rest of the world moves on, celebrating across party lines and international borders. Millions have risen above policies and programs, at least for a short window of time, to savor the historical significance of the moment. But not others – no way! They will not concede a smile or one breath of joy because it may actually, in some small way, acknowledge that the same sovereign God who they follow might actually allow a black man to be president. Some have even cried out on conservative Christian radio stations that Obama is not black. I wonder what they think of his African American wife and children. Some have denied Obama’s claim to be a born again Christian even though he has given testimony to his confession of faith. Because some don’t subscribe to the same political ideology, which is anyone’s right, they feel justified in denying his racial and religious roots. Why is this? Is it because of theology or ideology? That’s a question each Christian must answer before God for him or herself.

In the meantime, how should evangelicals deal with the historical shift in power? In my humble opinion, there are six bridge-building solutions that will help us evangelicals celebrate the historical election of President-elect Barak Obama without compromising our biblical convictions we hold so dear.

First, voice your support for the historical moment that has swept this nation, and the world. In so doing, you are not signing off on Obama’s policies. You are simply acknowledging that a black man is the 44^th president of the United States of America. That is something everyone can be proud of, at least for a short period of time, before the partisan battles return to Washington after the inauguration. After this time, feel free to return to separate corner of the ring to fight for partisan policies that match one’s religious convictions.

Second, interview a few of your friends of color whether republican, democrat, or other and ask them what this election means to them personally. Listen to their stories and hear their heart. You can empathize with what they are feeling and enter into their joy. To not do this is to communicate to them that you really don’t care about their feelings, culture, advances in history, and significant events that affect their entire families.

Third, ask yourself a tough question. If a victorious Obama were republican but held similar views, would you be happy now? If the answer is yes, then you must face the fact that your feelings of loss are less about faith and more about partisan politics. If the answer is no, then you can rest assured that you are dealing with the issues. We won’t all agree on the issues regardless of a common faith. Therefore, the next point is necessary.

Fourth, grace must be extended to those who have a different view of the issues. You are not being asked to bury your convictions, but to be gracious in the way you communicate them. As an independent voter, I have received volatile emails from my white republican friends and family who have put out some nasty comments that don’t reflect the spirit of Christ, regardless of the candidate. Whatever happened to “grace and truth” as opposed to “truth and graceless rumors”? Whatever happened to “speaking truth in love”? If we as Christians lose our grace, we will lose our unique place in the public square to speak and be heard as ambassadors of Christ on the earth.

Fifth, “rejoice with those who rejoice” as 1 Corinthians 12 says. Regardless of one’s ideology, the bible teaches that Christians are to rejoice when other believers are rejoicing. I had one white Christian male say to me after the election that he’ll never understand how any Christian could vote for Obama. His assumption is that Christians would all vote republican, or at least as one block of solidarity against a democrat. Here’s a news flash: there are Christians who are not republican, but who hold the same values as white evangelicals. They simply believe that there are different avenues to achieve those values. Disagreement as to how to accomplish such values does not underscore biblical differences, but political and ideological ones. “When you have African Americans rejoicing over the ending of generations of slavery, segregation and Jim Crow culture, don’t you think entering into their joy, if even for a moment, would be okay?”

Sixth, affirm the deep feelings of accomplishment that so many are experiencing. To say to a black person “congratulations” for this historical moment of accomplishment is not giving in to the democrats, nor is it dishonoring one’s Christian convictions. Even the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, said that this election was an “extraordinary step forward” for race relations. As a black woman she is feeling something deeper than her political ideology. As a black republican male, General Colin Powell is feeling something deeper than his party’s platform. As a black preacher who has built his life and ministry affecting racial reconciliation among different races, I am feeling an overwhelming sense of positive emotion.

While there has been a lack of affirmation and congratulation from some of my white friends, I can say that there are some deep relationships I have with many non-black folks who have affirmed the moment with me, regardless of how any of us voted. I have treasured friendships with African Americans, Caucasians, Asians, Latinos, and other groups of people who have written, texted, emailed, or called to simply affirm the deep feelings of hope and reflection that the reality of the first black president of the United States of America engenders inside of me.

As I watched the election results with my half Korean and half white wife, she looked over to me and said, “Congratulations honey”. She didn’t know my vote yet, but she knew my heart was pounding during this historical reality that was facing both of us and our children for generations to come. Like other evangelicals, I too struggle with the political and biblical questions that any thinking Christian should be asking. But the most important question one can ask after the votes have settled the election is how can I support and pray for my new president? What makes this election different than any other in American history is that the White House will be occupied by a black first family. If some evangelicals cannot be happy about this matter because of whatever reason constrains them, maybe they can be happy for blacks who are proud and elated because they have seen a ceiling shattered with the blood, sweat, and tears of millions who have sacrificed for them from generations past.

Dear Bridge builders:

Whether you are from a red state, or a blue state, or from outside of the United States of America, history as been made as the first African American man has been elected president of the USA.

Congratulations to Senator Barak Obama. His victory is a message of inspiration to so many groups around the world because of the symbol of hope and unity he stands for. As multicultural and international crowds swell througout the world we are reminded that people long for a better day.

As Christians, we remember what Proverbs 21:1 says: “The heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord and He moves it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.”

Ultimately, God is our soveriegn Lord and He is the King of kings. He allows leaders to govern and those leaders are to lean on him for wisdom. Our responsibility is to pray for our leaders as the bible teaches.

As Solomon transitioned into political power after King David, he asked God for one thing – wisdom. As you pray for the Obama transition, pray for wisdom and a discerning heart. Pray for safety and peace among the various groups.

Take this moment to be a bridgebuilder by the way you pray, speak, and support this historical turn of events. America has a stained racial past – slavery for blacks, the civil rights movement, segregation, and Jim crowism. This past has the opportunity to now fade further into the archives of our collective memories as Barack Obama faces the toughest job in the world at one of the most difficult times in our history.

In case there is any doubt, we are all very much aware that President Elect Obama is just a man and is as fully human as we are. He is not our messiah, nor has he ever claimed to be. But he is the leader of the free world who God has permitted for such a time as this. Do your best not to be a gloater or a grinch – just be grateful that we are in a country where democracy lives and peaceful transitions of power are the norm.
 
As bridge builders, let’s unite in our calling to be ambassadors of reconciliation for Jesus Christ and never forget that we represent Him in our language, our responses, and in our heart attitudes toward our leaders.

Once again, congratulations President Elect Obama. What an accomplishment!

David Anderson