The Obama Cult of Personality

America, you are about to be duped (if you haven’t already).  As Barack Obama takes the oath of office today, many will revel in the historic moment. While it is historical, the level of cult-like following surrounding our new president is unprecedented. Perhaps what’s most disturbing is the fact that no one pays attention to what he says, but how he says it.

During the campaign, Barack Obama pledged to give tax cuts to 95% of Americans. Sounds good, but dig a little deeper. What about the other 5%? Those 5% are the rich and wealthy. Those 5% are the job creators, the entrepreneurs, the achievers. He will increase their taxes, thus stifling economic growth. Additionally, a huge percentage of that 95% don’t even pay taxes! How can one cut taxes from someone who doesn’t pay taxes?! It’s essentially a welfare check given to people who don’t achieve and that money is taken from those who do achieve and make a good, honest living.

Yet, I’m supposed to just shut up and bask in the warm glow of the Obama inauguration. Ironically, the same people who are telling me to be quiet are the same people who called President Bush a war criminal and other nasty things during his eight-year tenure. Do I want Obama to succeed? If he’s calling for socialism, more government bailouts, universal health care, then NO! This country was founded upon the idea that the individual has the freedom to achieve his/her God-given potential without the blatant interference of a federal bureaucracy.

Having said all that, I will respect the office of the President. The Bible commands all Christians to pray for their leaders. I will do that, but I will not go along for the sake of merely getting along. Words mean things and the Founding Fathers didn’t put their lives on the line for this nation to abandon the Constitution and the freedom which they fought and died for.

Obama’s election and pre-inaugural love fest reminds me of Living Colour’s hit song “Cult of Personality”

I sell the things you need to be/I’m the smiling face on your TV/I’m the cult of personality/I exploit you, still you love me/I tell you one and one makes three/I’m the cult of personality

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said at one of his press conferences recently said, “Barack’s selling hope, and I’m buying.” Sorry, coach. I want the real thing:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading.” (1Peter 1:3-4)

Promising Prosperity

Today, the Dow Jones Industrial average fell below 10,000 points. Global markets are panicking in spite of the $700 billion “rescue” bill Congress passed this past week.

Moments like this reveal true character. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

How we view money is a direct reflection of our character and, unfortunately, un-Biblical views of money have seeped into churches. The prosperity gospel touted by “ministers” such as Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, et. al promise God’s blessing for poor people giving extraordinary amounts of money to their churches.  Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president Al Mohler makes an excellent point about how the prosperity gospel ultimately hurts those it claims to help:

“We are not promised economic or financial prosperity in the Gospel.  We are promised what money cannot buy and poverty cannot take away.

It is also easy for non-Charismatic critics of prosperity theology to look down on those who were so susceptible to its false promises.  Many devotees of prosperity theology are desperate in ways the more privileged cannot understand, and they are prey to both lenders and preachers promising prosperity.

I must wonder how many other Christians — far removed theologically from Charismatic prosperity theology — might have bought into a very different prosperity theology.  Have we all been seduced by the idea that prosperity is a given?  Do we now think that prosperity is our right?  Do we associate prosperity with the blessings we receive in the Gospel?”

John Piper expresses perfectly the danger of believing this false gospel.