Looks As If Wright Is Wrong

I have followed the Jeremiah Wright story with some interest simply because I am a pastor who has more than a few politicians in his flock. At last count I shepherd a probate judge, a county commissioner, three school board members, and one city council member. Granted, none of these are running for he highest office in the land but they do bear heavy responsibility combined with unique exposure in a small, close knit community. I desire to challenge these leaders to impeccable integrity and want to encourage them to do their very best.

The first sound bite I heard from Wright's most recent public appearance gave me hope. He said something to the effect that while Obama was a politician he (Wright) was still a pastor. I like the tone of no compromise that set. Regardless of the political office with which a pastor is confronted, as an ambassador of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20) he is obligated to speak the truth and not to coddle the affections of those in power. I thought, "Here is a man with sound biblical principles he is willing to live with and is willing to share with others." But then the man kept on talking and the foolishness of his heart was revealed.

To seriously think that the US government engineered the HIV virus to exterminate the black community is asinine. To assert that the US provoked the attack on 9/11 is beyond any reasonable process of thought. And these are the two statements that attracted the most press. There were other statements that were equally ridiculous. Wright is apparently just another charlatan playing the religious game for profit (and apparently playing it well as his 10,000 sq. ft. new home on an exclusive golf course attests). There is no end of men like him who have the ability to whip a crowd into a frenzy over secondary issues and make them look like issues of primary importance all the while garnering wondrous sums of money for their talented twirling of plates.

Paul's words to Timothy could very well have been written about Rev. Wright,

"If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain."
1 Timothy 6:3-5

Paul also warned Titus about such men,

"As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned."
Titus 3:10-11

I am always amazed at the keen edge scripture holds. It certainly cuts quite fine. Looks like Rev. Wright is wrong, not only in his cultural assessments but more importantly in his spiritual responsibilities. Here end my dealings with the Wright who was wrong.