Random Ramblings #47: A Tale of Two Pastors

Every Friday we’ll leave the topic oriented post, and instead post some personal comments.

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That whoosh you’re hearing is the sound of the world spinning around you as it continues going upside down. Listen to the news and you can’t help but hear it.

Today’s reminder concerns Pastor Luis Giglio, an accomplished and widely regarded minister who was scheduled to deliver President Obama’s benediction during his inaugural ceremony. Scheduled, as in past tense, because it recently came to light that a decade ago the reverend referred to homosexuality as sin, declared that only a relationship with Jesus Christ could enable homosexuals to reject that behavior, and expressed concern about the direction the gay rights movement would take the nation. A sample of the pastor’s commentary:

• We must “firmly respond to the aggressive agenda” of some in the gay community
• Widespread gay marriage “would run the risk of absolutely undermining the whole order of our society.”
• “If you look at the counsel of the word of God, Old Testament, New Testament, you come quickly to the conclusion that homosexuality is not an alternate lifestyle… homosexuality is not just a sexual preference, homosexuality is not gay, but homosexuality is sin.”

The revelation of these comments ignited outrage; Pastor Giglio gracefully bowed out of the inaugural proceedings, and the Obama administration had this to say about the controversy:

“As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration’s vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.”

OK, at first glance I’d say this is an administration’s way of covering their behinds and scrambling to appease a potentially angry constituency. The gay voting block mattered, after all, and still matters to this President, and I don’t begrudge him that. I disagree with his response and essentially say amen to Giglio’s words, though I don’t believe most gays have an “agenda”, and in fairness I think marriage is endangered far more by heterosexuals abusing it than by homosexuals attaining it. Still, I oppose same sex marriage, I consider homosexuality to be something outside God’s will, and I don’t share our President’s views on the subject. So what’s new?

I guess it’s the outrage factor that sticks in my craw this morning, the stark and unreasonable contrast between what does and does not cause this administration to apologize and explain. And nothing encapsulates that contrast better than a comparison between Pastor Luis Giglio and Pastor Jeremiah Wright.

Pastor Wright, you’ll remember, was our President’s personal shepherd for over 20 years, a man who, by Obama’s own account, influenced him to become a Christian and was his source of teaching and inspiration for decades. He was also the man who made, on record and from the pulpit, comments such as:

• “God damn America.”
• “The stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back into our own front yards. America’s chickens are coming home to roost.” (In response to the September 11 attacks)
• “It just came to me within the past few weeks, y’all, why so many folks are hating on Barack Obama. He doesn’t fit the model. He ain’t white, he ain’t rich, and he ain’t privileged.”

No reasonable person would conclude these remarks “reflect this administration’s vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.” And yet, when Rev. Wright’s words hit the fan, Obama’s response?

“I could no more disown him that I could my own grandmother.”

A calm, non-committal reaction to statements that shocked the daylights out of others. By contrast, when Giglio’s comments came to light, they were noted and acted on post haste.

So do me a favor. Re-read Wright’s comments; re-read Giglio’s, and for a moment try forgetting whether or not you agree with the positions expressed in either of the statements. Just consider the inflammatory level of each, compare them, then consider the way they were responded to.

Like I said, whoosh.

Imagine a formal dinner party during which one of the guests picks his nose at the table, tells crude jokes, then belches loudly, none of which moves the host to correct him. Then another guest briefly places his elbow on the table and the host, outraged, points at him and says “We don’t do that in this house!” That’s the selective, inconsistent outrage factor that’s got me scratching my head today.

All of which reminds me that this fallen culture is changing at breath taking speed, that some change is good while some isn’t, that logic and consistency are optional when emotions run high, and that my take on what’s right or wrong cannot be informed by my environment no matter how strongly the environment pushes, and that I answer to a higher and immutable power. More than ever, then, I need to cling to Him, know where He stands, understand what offends Him and what generates His approval, and, by His grace, see that my own life is being lived in conformity to His will no matter how starkly it may contrast to the values on display from Washington DC to my own neighborhood.

All of which means that at 58 I feel, more than I ever did at 16, like a rebel. How ‘bout you?

Have a great weekend. God’s best to you.

Love,

Joe