Death Prayers and Presidential Politics

The more I think about it, the more horrified I get. First it was Pat Robertson calling for the assassination of Hugo Chavez and praying for the demise of uncooperative Supreme Court Justices. Now we have Rev. Wiley Drake, Pastor of First SBC in Buena Park and VP of the SBC, asking for his followers to pray "imprecatory prayers" calling for the demise of certain staffers of the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. Their crime against the people of God? They raised questions about Drake's endorsement of SBC Pastor and former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee's campaign for the presidency. Drake apparently used church stationary -- which in my mind and the mind of a lot of people constituted crossing the line of appropriate involvement.

As problematic as this issue is, more problematic is his praying for the deaths of his opponents. Of course he drags out some scriptures and justifies himself. But, I'm sorry, Jesus taught a very different ethic, one that is rooted in praying for one's enemies and doing good to them (Matthew 5:43-48). Jesus prays from the cross "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

Paul writes:

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord," No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 5:17-21).
Now personally I don't see the AU as enemies of the church, but even if you do, well there's another way of doing things. And, if, as I understand it, the SBC believes in the inerrancy of Scripture. Although I do not believe as much, I do believe that Scripture is our "norming norm," and that we are supposed to read the OT in the light of the NT -- or so I thought. From the mouths of Jesus and Paul, we hear something very different from the hateful statements of Wiley Drake.

The idea that we are called to pray for the deaths of those who disagree with us simply is not an acceptable Christian perspective.

I agree with the Interfaith Alliance, Mike Huckabee needs to immediately denounce Drake and the SBC should as well.

Comments

Anonymous said…
It's a shame you don't have a donate button! I'd definitely dnate to this fantsstic blog!

I guess for nnow i'll settle for book-marking and adding your
RSS feerd to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will tak about this site with
my Facebook group. Talk soon!

Popular Posts