How Would Jesus Treat Obama?

How would Jesus treat Obama? The only way to really find out is to look at how Jesus treated the governing leaders of his day. How did Jesus respond to Herod, Pilate, and others who led his nation?

A quick summary reveals some mundane yet significant highlights:

1. Jesus paid taxes.
2. Jesus obeyed the law.
3. Jesus never mocked or made fun of his nation's leaders.
4. Jesus showed love to all without favoritism.

The first two (taxes and obeying the law) are usually understood by those who claim to follow Jesus (excluding music piracy and a few other so-called acceptable exceptions).

Number three, not ridiculing national leaders, has been a tough one for the Christian community. At some point along the way, I think Christians forgot that the President, Speaker of House, and others who serve in Washington are people who Christ died for as well.

Here's how I prove this point: When people think of Christians and politics, what comes to mind? Is it, "So many Christians are praying for our nation's leaders and have a high respect for their governing authorities. We should all strive to be more like them."? Unfortunately, this has not been my experience.

Christians+Politics usually ends up meaning conservative, white, Republican, talk-show loving, socialist-hating, Obama-administration bashing, rednecks and neanderthals (or worse). This stinks, but is too often true.

What can be done? Number four would be a great place to start: showing love to all without favoritism. If my Senator or President of Vice-President had a recording of your conversations for past two weeks about them, how excited would you be about meeting together face-to-face? I'm all for healthy debate on faith issues, but the basis for meaningful conversations with governing authorities, according to the example of Jesus, is prayer and love.

I'm planning to keep praying for and showing respect to my nation's leaders. If you want to laugh at late-night TV spoofs or spread gossip about your national leaders, please reconsider. There are plenty of people already doing that. Be like Christ. Pray for your leaders. Show some respect.

"Obama and Young Evangelicals" Interview Follow Up

Thanks again to everyone who listened in and provided feedback leading up to today's interview. I wish I would have had more time to communicate on some of the issues involved, but did my best in the time allowed to speak intelligently on major points of concern.

If you listened in and enjoyed the discussion, please let someone at WMBI know by emailing mornings@moody.edu or calling 312-274-9624. Thanks!

Obama Spirituality

As a Christian, I had never spoken out on politics. I just didn’t get too fired up about it. I was more concerned about making it to church on time and taking care of my own family than stressing over which bill was bogged down in Congress.

But then someone asked me to talk on the radio about Obama and evangelicals. I said, “Sure, why not?” I had no idea what I was getting into.

I found out after accepting the interview that many Christians don’t like Barack Obama. It’s not because he’s African American; it’s because of abortion, his views on same-sex marriage, war, and a whole lot more. But then I said the Bible gave two clear concepts for relating to our president: pray and submit.

People didn’t like that. They wanted me to call Democrats the devil and lead a movement to impeach Obama and make Jesus president. But I didn’t.

So now I’m the bad guy.

I get hate mail, hate Facebook-mail, hate email, and hate-blog comments—mostly from Christians.

Let me be honest for a minute: that just sucks. Jesus said A) love God, B) love your neighbor, and C) love your enemies. I don’t consider Obama my God nor my enemy but he’s my neighbor (not literally, but I’m originally from Indiana, so close enough). So I love Barack Obama. If you’re a Christian, pick options B or C and do likewise.

Then pray for him. He has a tougher job than you do and if he does blow it, it won’t help any of us. Plus, if you keep making Christians look stupid, we’ll eventually become the bad guys (we often already are) and people will ignore us completely instead of listening to our ideas to make this country a better place.

You don’t have to vote for someone to love them.

But if you’re a Christian, you have to love Barack Obama.

Whether you like it or not.


DILLON BURROUGHS is a writer on issues of spirituality.
He also serves as a social justice advocate for World Vision.
Dillon lives with his wife, Debbie, and three children in Tennessee.

Dillon Burroughs on Moody Radio about "Obama and Young Evangelicals"

Friday I’ll be on WMBI Moody Radio Chicago from 8:30-9am EST to talk about “Obama and Young Evangelicals.” Listen live at wmbi.mbn.org and maybe even email or call the station to tell them you liked the show (That is, if you actually like it.). Also, please pray for God’s wisdom and blessing for this one. I’m going to need it.