Opinion Roundup: Inaugural Prayers of Hope and Tears | Christianity Today

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Christianity Today, January (Web-only), 2009 |

Opinion Roundup: Inaugural Prayers of Hope and Tears

What John Piper, Charles Colson, Mark Driscoll, and others are saying about the Obama inauguration and its invocations.

Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 1/21/2009 12:12PM

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It's the spirit of Babel, Wax writes.

Or maybe it's just the spirit of hope and eagerness, says Brad Lomenick, director of the Catalyst church leadership conferences. "We all know we have an uphill battle. President Obama is not the answer to solving all the problems. I disagree with most of his policies. Almost all of his policies. But change can be good, and he has inspired us," he writes "I think he is a good man, and I am going to pray for him and his team, and do what I can to be part of the solution. But it is not about one man or one administration or one team. It is about our country. The American spirit and resolve just needs a nudging, a strong reminder of where we've come from, and where we are going. Today, I am proud."

Related Elsewhere:

More coverage of the inauguration is available at our politics blog.

Olsen also rounded up the history of inaugural Bibles and verses in a Christian History article.

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January (Web-only) 2009, Vol. 53

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Pat	Posted: February 01, 2009 8:51 PM


I personally loved Rev. Lowery's prayer. I wonder why people are "avoiding" addressing it? Does it (particularly the last lines about race) ring a little too close to home??

what?

Posted: January 25, 2009 10:34 PM


Why are evangelicals so narcissistic? American politics whether they be "conservative" or "liberal" do not match up with Jesus anyway. All human politics are a compromise. These buffons can't even call a spade a spade and criticize the damage G.W. has done in the world, to real people!

JD	Posted: January 24, 2009 3:49 PM

What a shame that not one of these ministers had the guts to comment on the extreme racist benediction given by Reverend Joseph Lowery. Yes, Reverend Jeremiah Wright was there, he just showed up as Lowery. My interpretation of the closing statement "white must embrace what is right," is the white people who voted for Obama were wrong. With regards to Gene Robinson's getting full presidential support. I have to agree that homosexuality is not the worst of all sins. But according to the Bible it is a sin. Let's see if I take the Epsicopal Church and President Obama's perspective then any sin can be justified so long as one is "predisposed" to it and "born that way." According to that standard it is acceptable to have, say an alcoholic - one that predisposed to alcoholism, of course - give the prayer and celebrate their drinking, so long as how they live does not hurt anyone. Each week model and preach acceptance of it from the pulpit. What about adulterous preachers w/accepting spouse?

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