If the historical Jesus were running for our United States presidency, He would be a Demopublican, combining what is affirmative in both parties, rejecting shrillness, anger, posturing, and denouncing the corruption made inevitable by the necessary scrounging for money, much to the anger, I am sure, of television and newspaper profit makers, to say nothing of political hangers-on, and talking heads prostituting their voices for profit. In the case of abortion or the death penalty or war, He would place the work of every individual soul before God above all considerations. I think He would also be assassinated, lynched, or if you prefer, crucified as before.

Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s preaching and what should be Senator Obama’s response as a parishioner engages our American media understandably.

The matter really comes down to several considerations. A pastor preaching and pastoring is not called on to be a mirror in which the congregation can identify themselves. He or she is called on to be a kind of clear window through which congregants are called to see the vision of what they ought to be and do individually and collectively.

Continue »