Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (Romans 1:29–31)

Inauguration
Tuesday, January 20, 2009, the United States inaugurated its 44th president. The event celebrated a man revered by many. Indeed, Peggy Joseph was overwhelmed with the notion that “I won’t have to worry about puttin’ gas in my car. I won’t have to worry about payin’ my mortgage. You know, if I help him, he’s gonna help me.” The siren song indeed did sway the masses. Yes, Obama may help you, but the sweat and toil to pay your bills will come not from Obama, but from tax paying, working people around you. With his hand on the Bible, Barack Obama recited the Presidential Oath of Office:

I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Of course, the question remains whether or not President Obama will keep this commitment. Perhaps he has had a change of heart, but his public statements in the past certainly give pause:

…the Constitution reflected a [sic] enormous blind spot in this culture that carries on until this day, and, and, a, and that the Framers had that same blind spot…reflected the fundamental flaw of this country that continues to this day. (Barack Obama, September 6, 2001, Interview on Chicago public radio station WBEZ, “Slavery and the Constitution”)

…the Warren Court…wasn’t that radical. It didn’t break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution…. (Barack Obama, January 18, 2001, Broadcast of the WBEZ’s Odyssey program, "The Court and Civil Rights")

…on the truly hard cases, the truly big arguments, we have to take context, history, and the practical outcomes of a decision into account….the Constitution—that it is not a static but rather a living document, and must be read in the context of an ever-changing world. (Barack Obama, 2006, The Audacity of Hope, pp. 89–90)

Critical Appointment
Very early in his term, President Obama, a self-labeled “progressive,” received the responsibility of selecting a justice to the Supreme Court. With his bias, and a Congress stacked in his favor, he could have appointed someone much more threatening to the cause of liberty. In spite of his apparent disdain for the limits on the welfare state imposed by the Constitution and his obsession to “bring about redistributive change” (Mark 14:7), President Obama picked a justice who, at least on the surface, seems to show restraint with regard to legislating from the bench. Yes, the selection of Sonia Sotomayor covered the politically correct bases. Nevertheless, we need to remember that President H. W. Bush appointed her to U.S. District Court in 1991. Time will tell on this one, but hopefully, she will not significantly disrupt any “balance” the High Court might have.

The Bible According to Obama
Barack Obama has repeatedly and publicly affirmed his personal faith in Jesus Christ:

I believe in—that Jesus Christ died for my sins, and that I am redeemed through him. (Barack Obama, August 16, 2008, “Saddleback Presidential Candidates Forum”)

I submitted myself to His will and dedicated myself to discovering His truths. (Barack Obama, June 28, 2006, “Call to Renewal” conference)

Whether or not his claims hold water, I shall not say; however, the marks of a Christian he does not have (Matthew 7:20–23; I John 3:14; 5:2). In particular, Barack Obama discredits God’s word and those who espouse its sacred value.

Now this is, is gonna be difficult for some who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, as many evangelicals do…. (Barack Obama, June 28, 2006, “Call to Renewal” conference)

He obviously does not share this view. How sad it is to realize that he earned his law degree from Harvard University, a school named after a Christian minister and with strong Christian roots. He now serves as President of the United States, a nation founded, defended, and nurtured by godly people. These facts of history remain true—in spite of his implications to the contrary:

Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation…. (ibid.)

Now let’s consider some of Obama’s many challenges to God’s word. The Bible says, “all scripture is given by inspiration of God” and “is profitable” “for instruction” (II Timothy 3:16–17). It also says we do not have the option to pick and choose (Matthew 5:18) what is true or to surmise our own version of the truth (II Peter 1:19–21).

Which passages of scripture should guide our public policy? Should we go with, a, Leviticus, which, a, suggests slavery’s okay? Or we could go, a, with a, Deuteronomy, which suggests stoning your child if he strays from the faith. Or should we just stick to the Sermon on the Mount, a passage that is so radical that it’s doubtful that our own defense department would survive its application…. Folks haven’t been reading their Bible. (Barack Obama, June 28, 2006, “Call to Renewal” conference)

First, Mr. Obama says that the Bible suggests in Leviticus 25:44–46 that slavery is okay. Instead, it declares the humane treatment of slaves. The Bible does not promote slavery any more than it promotes divorce (Matthew 19:4–8) but simply recognizes and regulates its practice (I Timothy 1:8–10). In the year 1865, the United States adopted The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, formally abolishing slavery in this country. Perhaps after over 140 years, his focus could turn more appropriately to a slavery that continues to plague man today today:

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (John 8:31–34)

Second, he points to a teaching in Deuteronomy 13:6–11 that under the Mosaic Law, no matter how close the relative, if he tries to entice you to commit spiritual adultery (worship other gods), you should stone him. Spiritual adultry, like physical adultry, and murder each relate to defying God and defiling the body made in His image. Each of these very serious offenses appropriately earned the death penalty. Obviously, this law applies to the culture of the Jews as a spiritual offense, not a civil offense. In addition, he seeks to forget that God, not man, defines right and wrong, yet Obama dares to question God.

Third, his reference to the Sermon on the Mount grossly ignores context. Jesus makes no reference to civil law here. Instead, He explains the fundamentals of living a genuine spiritual life. No reference, direct or implied, applies to national defense. When questioned by Pilate, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world….”(John 18:36).

And even if we had only Christians in our midst…whose Christianity would we teach in the schools? Would it be James Dobson’s or Al Sharpton’s? (Barack Obama, June 28, 2006, “Call to Renewal” conference)

Neither. You need to read the Bible and understand it for yourself. The Bible teaches not consensus but truth (John 17:17). To suppose that your reason (or man’s reason in general) supplants God’s word is outrageous. Like so much of what you believe, Mr. Obama, you have it exactly backwards:

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (I Corinthians 1:25)

The practice of using biblical principles as a guide for government presented no difficulty for many generations of this country’s history among people who genuinely knew God and honored His word.

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (I Corinthians 2:13–14)

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…. (John 16:13)

So you see, the problem lies not with others but with you, Mr. Obama. You need to read your Bible, take it seriously, and stop hiring crackpot writers who seek to manipulate scriptures to justify their own depraved agenda. Along this same line, he made the following remark:

No matter how religious they may be, people are tired of seeing faith used as a tool of attack. (Barack Obama, June 28, 2006, “Call to Renewal” conference)

The truth hurts. It offends people (Romans 5:20; 9:33). Jesus, who most would agree had some religious aspect to Him, said, “I came not to bring peace, but a sword” and to divide families (Matthew 10:34–37). In John 14:6, Jesus expressed a total intolerance for any religion except Christianity. In John 4:1–13, Jesus used the word of God to thwart the three temptations that Satan hurled at Him. “The word of the Lord endureth forever” (I Peter 1:25). Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). The “sword of the Spirit” is “the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12).

Jesus repeatedly minced no words in attacking the religious leaders of his time (Matthew 21:12–13; 23:27; John 8:44). Clearly, the people to whom Mr. Obama refers do not want their evil practices exposed as sin. Instead, they work in a “progresive” manner to gain first acceptance, then approval, and finally privilege. In fact, the real attack going on here seeks to silence Christians by aiming squarely at removing their First Amendment rights—from our living document, no doubt.

Some have even speculated that Barack Obama might be the Antichrist. Based on his inept references to the Holy Scripture, I would have to guess that, at least for the present, he is not. Satan directs and empowers the Antichrist (Revelation 12:9; 13:2–4; I Corinthins 4:4; Ephesians 2:2). We know Satan has an excellent grasp of God’s Word and the clever ability to manipulate it for deception (Genesis 3:4–5; Matthew 4:6).

Let’s explore one last unenlightened remark:

If people find that [civil unions for homosexuals] controversial, then I would refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think, you know, is in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans. (Barack Obama, March 2, 2008, Rally at Hocking College, Nelsonville, Ohio)

Even a casual reader of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) can discern that it raises the bar on the Law of Moses as practiced (Matthew 5:22,28,32,34,39,46). Jesus’ teaching diminishes neither morality nor the marriage covenant. Romans chapters one though eight presents the most scholarly, clear, and careful description of the spiritual condition of man and God’s plan to rescue man from it in the Bible. To call anything in that treatise an “obscure passage” (obviously making reference to vv. 1:26–32) betrays extreme spiritual ignorance. To read more about President Obama’s Christian “faith” you may wish to examine the following link: http://www.defendchristians.com/news-and-articles/296-obama-qdevout-christianq

Nobel Peace Prize
Last year’s pick for Time Magazine’s Person of the Year and everyone’s (well, almost) all around good guy piled up another honor. Can’t you just see him jogging to the podium to pick up his award? Yes it's, your President and mine, Barack Obama. It’s interesting to note that he received the nomination for this honor just eleven days after taking the oath of office—quite an accomplishment. While Mr. Obama said he was both “surprised and deeply humbled,” somehow he had a speech prepared to respond to it. Of course, for an accomplished speaker and professor of his stature, this should be no surprise. Certainly, by this point in his life, he is well prepared to accept awards that he does not deserve.

My only regret here is that this glowing torch couldn’t have been passed directly from Al Gore himself (the 2007 recipient)—another highly deserving giant in his field. Doesn’t it intrigue you to consider who might be next? Could it be an unborn child for the accomplishments he might make to save the planet from global cooling? Time will tell.

President Obama said he will give the $1,400,000 prize to charity. He hasn’t specified which one. We’ve all heard the expression, “charity begins at home.” Perhaps that’s what he had in mind. It’ll be interesting to learn where the money finally ends up. Here’s an idea. Maybe he could use it to pay one millionth of the $1,400,000,000,000 deficit associated with his first year in office—just a thought.

There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked. (Isaiah 48:22)

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (I Thessalonians 5:3)

Time Magazine’s Person of the Year
These days you can find nearly everything on the Internet. Still, a search for the Federal Reserve Chairman’s oath of office comes up dry. This really shouldn’t surprise us though. The Federal Reserve operates, to a large degree, in secrecy. The affiliation with the U.S. government and the word Federal in its name lead most to reckon the Federal Reserve as a branch of the government. Of course, it is not.

For his work in fostering the theft of trillions from future generations, secretly and relentlessly manipulating financial markets, failing to warn of an impending crisis, obfuscating the pending financial meltdown, filling the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet with trillions of nearly worthless “collateral,” lending credibility to rigged government economic figures (http://www.shadowstatistics.com), allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to merrily create worthless debt with impunity, advocating the rescue of elitist banks with taxpayer money, and his ongoing deception related to the value of fiat currency, we give Ben Bernanke the award of Person of the Year. Of course, this is quite a step down from God, but apparently at this point he will take what he can get. He had better, because eventually the jig will be up on his little scheme.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:19–20)

Corrupt Congress
It seems these two words just go together—sort of like peanut butter and jelly. My wife, Betsy, and I enjoy an occasional old movie. This past year, we saw a real eye-opener. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, released in 1939—seventy years ago, presents a plausible story of a Senate without conscience. Jimmy Stewart played the role of a naive, appointed Senator caught in a web of corruption that nearly destroyed him. It portrayed the Senate motivated neither by wisdom nor consideration for country, but purely by graft. Regardless of the extent the movie reflected the state of the Senate at that time, the story certainly rings true today.

The oath of office for Congress includes defense of the Constitution but also words affirming no obligation to any entity (foreign or domestic). Last year Congress passed (and George Bush signed) the TARP bill. Just a few days ago Congress passed the Health Care Reform Bill. Both pieces of legislation make a mockery of the Constitution and the oath by expanding the reach of the Federal Government and the Executive Branch in particular far beyond their intended bounds. They also demonstrate greater regard for elitist banks and corporations (entities whom they actually represent) than the U.S. citizen (whom they pledge to represent).

Stray Cat Crisis
The top story of the moment with regard to covenant breaking has to be the tragic Tiger Woods saga. Sadly, his scenario of life runs rampant in our society. What a contrast! On the one hand he’s young, invincible, wealthy, bigger than life, with a will of iron, admired by all, with a lovely wife and family—a man who had it all. Yet anyone without the power of God in his life becomes helpless against the temptations of the flesh. Tiger is certainly not alone. Solomon, a man far greater than he, who fell much deeper into the same pit, wrote these words:

For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell….His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. (Proverbs 5:3–5, 22)

Covenant Keeper
In spite of the rampant unfaithfulness, bankruptcies, charlatans—covenant breakers of every sort—we have hope. God keeps His covenants. As promised, He sent His Son to die in our place and take the penalty for our sin.

…Christ Jesus…. made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant…. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.(Philippians 2:5–8)

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (I Peter 2:24)

Jesus Christ came, just God as promised, and will come again to lead, not in arrogance and deception, but in truth and righteousness.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True and in righteousness he doth judge…. (Revelation 19:11)