Is This How We Should Pray?
| Last week I posted on the difficulty of following Jesus' teachings when involved in, commenting on, and talking about politics. I had no idea about a recent sermon preached by Tempe Pastor Steven Anderson of Faithful Word Baptist Church. In it, he specifically calls for President Obama to die and burn in hell. He even goes so far as to say that he will pray for this. Somehow when Jesus called us to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us, I am not sure he had this kind of prayer in mind. Here is the CNN report by Rick Sanchez that includes Pastor Anderson in his own words. It should send chills down your spine. My friend Roy over at Thin Places has also posted on this. Even if you are not trying to lead a life following Jesus, does this stuff concern you? |
posted by Dave Miller at 8:22 AM
Comments on "Is This How We Should Pray?"
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James' Muse said ... (2:25 PM) :
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Dave Miller said ... (2:59 PM) :
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Pastor David Curtis said ... (9:42 AM) :
post a commentThese kinds of things give us all bad names, Dave. Its why I am hesitant to call myself "Christian."
You know it James. But it is a reality being thrust upon us.
This is absolutely appaling that this pastor (I use that word with hesitation because I don't think he is really shepherding his sheep)would preach hate against any one individual, no less the President who claims to have placed his faith in the same savior that this pastor is depending on.
Regardless of your opinion of any individual and their politics, lifestyle, moral stances, etc. there is no place in the Bible for us as individuals to preach personal hatred of an individual. Yes the Bible declares that there will be judgment for those individuals who are in rebellion towards God and his truth, but that judgment is in God's hands not in our hands.
A couple of verses that I am guessing this pastor left out of his sermon are these:
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. (Ezekiel 33:11)
The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. (2 Pet. 3:9)
The truth of the matter is that God is angered with sin and will execute his judgment on sin. The rest of the story is that God loves every individual on Earth (John 3:16) and that Jesus died for every individual on Earth (Rom. 5:8) and that God's desire is far and away that everyone would turn from sin and trust in Jesus. Not that everyone would die in their sin as this pastor seems to be preaching.