MessiahWatch

Hey Tony Jones... still think this is "ironic"??

Huh. 

:)

By the way...  so Zach doesn't think I'm picking on Obama (I'm not- I'm worried about the weight some people are giving him in terms of putting their hope in a human being), just for the record, the chances of me voting for McCain/Palin have been rapidly diminishing over the last few days. Man, that Couric interview... Whew!

Comments

[starla]

the last few DAYS?!?!?!?

[bob]

I think I'm drawing out the decision mostly just to see how many veins I can cause to pop out on your forehead :)

[zach]

Bob, I think your concern is valid. Of course it's not very wise to put too much faith in the actions and words of one man.

But I think these kinds of posts, while the intent is coming from a good place, are a bit insensitive coming from a white male. While the video above may be questionable in some regard, I do think considering the history of the African-American folks in this country, the deep, deep wound of slavery and racism woven into the founding of this nation......this video may seem a bit more appropriate coming from that perspective.

So while you may be right in your concern, I guess I'm wondering if there are other fish to fry.

You wrote, "I'm worried about the weight some people are giving him in terms of putting their hope in a human being."

I could easily swap out some words: "I'm worried about the weight some people are giving Roe vs. Wade in terms of putting their hope in legislation."

These kinds of problems are found all throughout our social landscape. So some in our country are overly excited about Obama's candidacy. We get it. I just don't think it's a point that needs to be belabored like it has on your blog.

[Pat]

why is the singer so out of breath?

[Dan Brown]

The most unsettling bit was the kid with the T-shirt slogan: "I trust Barack Obama with my future"!!!

[rick]

Bob - I love the posts ... keep them coming.

I think McCain should have stayed with Letterman rather than Couric.

[bob]

Zach, I appreciate the concern. You are to me as I am to Driscoll. :)

For me, at least at this point, I think the issue is important enough AND I keep finding enough weird/scary/disturbing/entertaining (and non-ironic!) examples of obamamessianic thinking that it's worth highlighting.
I know you see it differently- I think we'll just disagree for now.

Of course, there isn't a ton of time left in the election cycle, so...

[Kester]

Awhile back our Austin Inklings group was interviewed by the religion columnist from The Austin Statesman. The best point to come out of the entire group (who were pretty evenly divided politically) was when one woman said, "We know that only one man can really save us, and He isn't running in the election."

It seems a simple point, but one worth making. I don't think you're beating a dead horse. As an Obama supporter, I think you're absolutely right to question Christians who would make a messiah of anyone but Jesus. While I think that some of it is ironic, too much of it is not.

[Jon]

To be honest, I don't see a lot of difference in people who put all their hope in Obama and those who put all their hope in the Republican candidate in every election whoever it may be because they are the only hope for the defeat of gay marriage or of abortion or whatever the conservative issue is on their minds in that particular election. People are always going to place too much emphasis on a specific candidate no matter what party or non party :-)they are a part of. My concern is that those same candidates don't buy into the hype. These are funny as examples of extremely ridiculous hero worship but shouldn't factor in to who you do or do not vote for.

[zach]

"I think you're absolutely right to question Christians who would make a messiah of anyone but Jesus."

I'd love to see any specific references from a Christian in any of Bob's messiah watch posts. Is this youtube video sung by a Christian? Are those kids all Christians? Are any of the artists who's images appeared on Bob's posts Christian? Maybe there was something from Rev. Jesse Jackson.....

This notion that Bob is doing this to provide some service to Christians who are teetering on the brink of worshiping Obama seems silly. If there are examples Bob wanted to point out where a Christian or any group of Christians were carelessly exhibiting messianic excitement for Obama, then great, let's hear about it. But the fact is is that the vast majority of these examples come from a very, very enthusiastic African-American demographic. And while I agree with Bob that it's not very wise to put all your faith in any mortal, I can understand why this excitement exists. I don't equate it to some boogie man in basement that we all need to be constantly reminded of. After all, it was only 44 years ago when African-Americans couldn't even vote.

[Jessi]

In regards to the Couric interview - just remember who is at the top of the ticket, and who is not... Will some bad Biden press also sway you back toward McCain? Cuz there is some footage of him looking fairly dumb as well...

[bob]

Zach- man, for a rock star you really know how to suck the fun out of the room! Maybe it's that emo thing :)

"I'd love to see any specific references from a Christian in any of Bob's messiah watch posts. Is this youtube video sung by a Christian? Are those kids all Christians? Are any of the artists who's images appeared on Bob's posts Christian? Maybe there was something from Rev. Jesse Jackson....."

Hey- you nailed it!
"“I cried all night. I’m going to be crying for the next four years,” he said. “What Barack Obama has accomplished is the single most extraordinary event that has occurred in the 232 years of the nation’s political history. ... The event itself is so extraordinary that another chapter could be added to the Bible to chronicle its significance.”

Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. on Obama's winning the Democratic presidential nomination

"This notion that Bob is doing this to provide some service to Christians who are teetering on the brink of worshiping Obama seems silly. "

It sure does! Good thing that's NOT what I'm doing...

Ok, now you've forced me to actually come up with a "purpose statement" for MessiahWatch... sheesh!

"MessiahWatch exists to document instances when genuine and legitimate excitement over the candidacy of Barack Obama crosses the line into irrational exuberance and takes on religious overtones. It is not meant to imply messianic aspirations on the part of Obama, but rather to highlight confusion on the part of genuinely well-meaning followers and fans of Obama as to the role of human politicians. It is not meant to imply that the candidacy of Barack Obama is not important or groundbreaking. It is both.
At its lightest moments it points to silliness, at its most serious to disturbing devotion which seems to ascribe to Obama characteristics beyond the legitimate realm of the political."

[zach]

"I'm just the pastor of a small church with a blog- trying to encourage us all not to look to a candidate or government to save us. If my church and my readers tended toward McCain supporters, you'd see things skew a bit differently as I challenged THEM. But since most of our church community and I think many of my readers are Obama supporters, well... that's where the challenge is going center."

I'm confused. So you're really NOT challenging Christians who put too much faith in Obama's candidacy?

[bob]

You implied my purpose was: "Christians who are teetering on the brink of worshiping Obama"

I don't think it's that overt.

By highlighting when genuine and legitimate excitement over the candidacy of Barack Obama crosses the line into irrational exuberance and takes on religious overtones I hope to 1. have fun 2. try to encourage us all not to look to a candidate or government to save us.

But trying to get myself and others to look at Jesus and tear down idols (be they material, political, religious, whatever) is just what I'm always trying to do, with everything, so...

[zach]

You say "a candidate" but it's only been Obama and I guess that's where you lose me. As if there aren't a multitude of examples of folks who've shown an "irrational exuberance" for McCain or the Republican Party and its platform.

[Dan Brown]

I'd love to see an example of someone expressing messianic expectations for John McCain. That would probably be even funnier. Post one here if you can find one, Zach.

[zach]

right here:

http://www.findingrhythm.com/blog/?p=1150

[Bob]

Good try. no cigar. An ad for a poll on "SodaHead.com"???

FInd some kids singing hymns to McCain or chanting his name while wearing paramilitary outfits, panting pictures of people kneeling in front of him while he releases the doves of peace from his chest and then we'll talk.

[zach]

oh, now all the sudden you have standards? funny.