Obama vs. "Oh, Bomb 'Em" -- Who's the Christian?

Republicans and self-styled "Christians" are agog over what Andrea Mitchell of NBC characterized as the "crisp, immediate, forceful response" John McCain gave to Rick Warren's question about evil during the forum at the Saddleback Church. They dismiss Barack Obama's "more nuanced approach."

"Sen. McCain was crisp, decisive, knew what he was about, knew his values," Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R, Minn.), who is a favorite of the "Christian Right," proclaimed on Face the Nation on Sunday. "Sen. Obama, I thought, was hesitant, halting, and quite wandering in his answers."

Pastor Rick asked the following question of both candidates: "Does evil exist? And if it does, do we ignore it? Do we negotiate with it? Do we contain it? Do we defeat it?"

Here is a portion of Obama's reasoned, considered, "nuanced" answer:

"Evil does exist. I mean, I think we see evil all the time. We see evil in Darfur. We see evil, sadly, on the streets of our cities. . . . It has to be confronted squarely . . . . I think [it] is very important for to us have some humility in how we approach the issue of confronting evil, because a lot of evil's been perpetrated based on the claim that we were trying to confront evil. . . . in the name of good. . . . [J]ust because we think that our intentions are good, doesn't always mean that we're going to be doing good."

Here, in stark contrast, is McCain's answer:

"Defeat it."

One can't get much more "crisp" and "decisive" than that! And it sure sounds like the proper Christian answer to what to do about evil, doesn't it?

Sen. McCain's values, which he knows so well, are based on that revered commandment from Jesus, "Shoot first and ask questions later."

Let's see, that's from . . . uh . . . the fifth chapter of Matthew, isn't it?

Oops. That's where Jesus offers an answer to Pastor Warren's question on what to do about evil that is nearly opposite to Sen. McCain's:

"But I say to you, 'Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.'" (Matt. 5:39)

Several biblical Proverbs also reject Mr. McCain's "crisp, immediate, forceful response." A few examples:

"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty." (Prov. 16:32)

"A man of quick temper acts foolishly, but a man of discretion is patient." (Prov. 14:17)

"He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." (Prov. 14:29)

"A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention." (Prov. 15:18)

And, from the Christian New Testament's Letter of James: "Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God" (James 1:19-20)

Three years ago, when President Bush was, as he is now and was prior to the 9-11 attacks, on his long August vacation in Crawford, Texas, Cindy Sheehan and other mothers who lost sons in Iraq War staged a protest near his home. One of their signs read: "Who would Jesus bomb?"

John McCain gave a memorable version of his standard answer to that question when he was asked in 2007 about his Iranian policy. He sang, to the tune of "Barbara Ann": "Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran."

In my new book, Grand Theft Jesus, I offer a name for these people who stand Jesus on his head. The person who had the greatest impact in overturning the teachings of Jesus lived 1700 years ago. Constantine won the Battle of Milvan Bridge in AD 312 after a dream led him to have Christian symbols painted on the shields of his soldiers.

Emperor Constantine is usually said to have converted the Roman Empire to Christianity. What he actually did was convert Christianity to the Roman Empire. He gave Jesus the fourth century equivalent of a shot of anabolic steroids and transformed the Prince of Peace into the Prince of War and ally of the rich and the ruler.

The Jesus Thieves who have committed identity theft against the Prince of Peace should be called Constantinians.

In Orange County on Saturday (as he has on many other occasions), John McCain showed himself to be a Constantinian, not a Christian. But this will do him little harm with the Republican "base" of the "Christian Right," because they, too, are Constantinians who shout "JESUS!" at the top of their lungs but ignore his teachings.

The choice in November is Obama or "Oh, Bomb 'Em."

Constantinians will vote for the latter, but Christians who are actual Jesus Followers may prefer nuance to crisp, angry decisiveness.

{Historian Robert S. McElvaine is Elizabeth Chisholm Professor of Arts & Letters at Millsaps College. His latest book is Grand Theft Jesus: The Hijacking of Religion in America .

Comments

[mac814]

Does anyone know how McCain feels about the draft? Think he would reinstate the draft? How would Americans feel about him then?

[kristycu]

he would have to after he start a war with Russia and Iran- and maybe even North Korea and china if he get a chance to

[gwinegarden]

It's the 11th century Christian attitude. "Kill them and then pray over them".

[kristycu]

that may be true, but the point is- they were true christian when think in those terms, that is the point. you can say all you want "in the name of GOD" but it doesn't make it so

[juzcuz]

McBush claims he's pro-FOR-life but he doesn't think twice about entering into more and more wars, more bloodshed and many more DEAD bodies. I say the old man from the dead is not really for the living.

[Pyott]

Conservative evangelical Christians have been given countless chances to recognize something within themselves that is critically inconsistent with their core belief system. Here, Obama graciously provides them with yet another opportunity (which all but a handful of them will, of course, ignore): "One thing that's very important is having some humility in recognizing that just because we THINK that our intentions are good, doesn't always mean that we're going to be doing good."

You'll find the vast majority of conservative evangelical Christians actively supported the Iraq invasion and now obstinately refuse to concede it was, in fact, a ghastly mistake. They go to such great lengths to express a strong and unequivocal belief in the sanctity of human life, and yet they blatantly ignore the grave moral implications of the invasion and occupation of Iraq, which has to date accounted for:

(1) 150,000+ violent deaths and counting;
(2) 250,000+ non-violent deaths associated with the invasion & occupation;
(3) 200,000 wounded (incl. 15,000+ amputees);
(4) 20,000 PTSD cases;
(5) 3 million refugees.

Some honest soul searching would seem to be in order.

[someoneuwontlike]

moral implications? what does a liberal know about morality?


nothing.

[Pyott]

You're right. It's pure COINCIDENCE liberals take such effort to discuss and think about moral issues. We really don't care or know anything about them. That just wouldn't make any sense, would it?

Seriously now … you might want to re-think your claim. Mull it around your head, some. Then try to THINK about what you're saying, instead of following your first, angry impulse.

First of all, in most respects, there isn't a vast amount of difference between conservatives and liberals. While critical moral and cultural (and psychological) fault lines certainly exist between them, they actually agree on the great majority of moral issues. We humans tend to only focus on the conflicts, distorting our sense of perspective (including yours, apparently).

Having said that, I think there's good evidence to suggest CONSERVATIVES and TRADITIONALISTS (while wonderful, moral creatures in most ways) suffer from a greater degree of impaired moral reasoning: largely because of a flawed, uncontrolled process of what I’d call, "moral-emotive bonding."

In other words, they tend to bond so STRONGLY to the moral judgments of their parents, families, and peers, they become far less capable of tempering the emotional component of moral development with the very necessary intellectual one.

How ELSE do you explain why significantly greater percentages were on the wrong side of the great moral issues of history: slavery, African American voting rights, segregation, racism, women's suffrage and other rights, labor rights, workplace safety . . . not to mention, democracy itself?

[hopefulinpa]

I thought this forum was to get a look at the candidates in an open an honest talk about themselves and how they come to conclusions and deal with things, not a stump speech. Obama answered this in a way I expected. We got to see more of the man, his humor, his humility, his thoughfulness, his religious beliefs, and his intelligence. McCain seems to think intelligence is something to scoff at. What we saw of McCain was his same old stump speech. He came out and was so relaxed because he knew the questions and only had to repeat his stump speech. I know longer have any respect for Warren either since he started off the whole show with a lie and did not probe further into why McCain thought his first marriage was his moral failure. It was, but I for one would have liked to hear him answer some questions about it.

[Soothsayer08]

Thank you for ths post. I was wondering on Saturday night how "so called" Christians could applaud and rejoice at the idea of killing someone? All John McCain talks about is war and that means, in case these Zealots didn't realize, that entails killing innocent people of the country they invade or bomb. Most of the people dying in these ill advised wars are not resposible for their leader's actions. Just as we aren't. Thanks for also quoting the appropriate scripture befitting Obama's character in contrast to John McCain's. These religious conservatives probably haven't even heard of the books in the bible that they came from. Neither has Paster Rick Warren.

[LAB10]

Grumpy old trigger happy men shouldn't be allowed to play with bombs.

[feo]

McCain and other Constantinians (great word) think that abortion is evil. Okay. So, how many fetuses did McCain exterminate while flying his plane in Vietnam? Abortion by bombing? Long-distance abortion? Sounds pretty evil to me.

[BTJ46]

Thank you for this. It is a shame that so much of the coverage of the Saddleback event focused on style rather than substance.

[SilviaMaria]

The world is not white and black, evil and good, etc. The world is more complicated than "Defeat Evil" that McCain proclaimed. Sometimes it our quest to defeat evil we are not better than them. I think that Obama's answer was much better because it makes people think about what we do (and there is nothing wrong with thinking). His answer was a lot more Christian than McCain's. Here is the difference between the two men; Obama did not try to please the crowd, he gave an honest answer; McCain did shouted the usual political slogan and this just shows what kind of opinion McCain has of our intellect, the less we think the better for him and his kind.

[thehardertheycome]

I only wish that there was a way to get this kind of thinking out to the masses. The Republicans are doing what they have sucessfully done time and time again. They take the positive and make it negative. In 2000 they made Americans believe that it was okay that a man who did not have a control of the simpliest of the english phrases and not able to convey a coherent thought the man that this country would want to vote for.

In 2004 they did it again. They portrayed the man with no military experience as the "best' one to be commander in chief. In 2008, they are taking a wreckless, underachieving war monger and selling him as the candidate that has "foriegn policy" experience (when he has neither set nor been a part of any foriegn policy decision) and the man that is best again to be commander in chief. Once again they have people ready to vote against their best interest.

[uclafan]

Well said!

[sxm342]

Do Christians really read the Bible? Or do they just believe what their preachers, ministers, priests tell them? If Jesus were to come again I wonder how many of them would recognize Him; follow Him and how many of them would reject Him; crucify Him.

It is almost like we are reliving Biblicals times with the Scribes and Pharisees.

[DaOne]

Render unto McCain what is McCain's, render unto God what is God's - JC.

[AntiSocialite]

"There is only one good, namely knowledge, and only one evil, namely ignorance.­"

-Plato

[flipbiscut24]

Who's the Christian?
Easy answer.
Neither.

[astheworldturns]

What? Bizarre.

[gwinegarden]

Then who is?

[mach]

I would add that a cursory glance in scripture shows that war and the death penalty are justified:

Numbers 35:16 And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

17 And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

18 Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

We have a right to self defense: Exodus 22:2: “If the thief is caught while breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there will be no blood guiltiness on his account.”

And we are required to defend the innocent: Deut. 19:10, “So innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance, and blood guiltiness be on you.”

In the NT Christ Himself told his discpiles to buy swords (Luke 22:36), John the Baptisit didnt scold the soldiers for their warfare, but told them to be honest and pray and even Paul used the military for protection.

[Northernmom]

Most of your quoted scriptures are from the Old Testament. The Luke reference is regarding keeping him safe until such time as he could be sacrificed. Jesus told us he came as the New Covenant, replacing the old teachings. He led by example. Take a look at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5)
Blessed are the poor in spirit
Blessed are those who mourn
Blessed are the meek
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
Blessed are the merciful
Blessed are the pure in heart
Blessed are the peacemakers

He also said that we are to feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner if we are to inherit the Kingdom of God. Matthew 25.

I don't see anything about bombing. I see a lot about reconciliation and taking care of our fellow human beings.

[Nooneyouknow]

As Shakespeare said, "The Devil can quote Scripture for his purpose." There's a passage in the Bible that can be used to justify just about anything, especially if some twisting is applied. However, I would have though Christians would stick with those parts of the Bible that pertain to Jesus. It's sad how often I hear Christians use parts of the brutal Old Testament to justify their prejudices, especially when they can misinterpret it to their purpose; for example, the words in Leviticus that are used to justify persecuting gay people. Far too many Christians have, by their words and example, rejected the words of Jesus.

[CharlesJ]

And it all boils down to the fact when it comes to war....Ble­ssed are the Peacemakers. In other words, dialouge. Kill them with kindness is another way to defeat evil or those that would do evil. But when all else fails, defend yourself. Obama has the right approach.

[cap57]

Very well said,

In the book written by Pastor Warren, ( Daily Inspiration ) he says this, You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you are, and your place in God's family. ( This has been Obama's message from the beginning. )

From ( Daily Inspiration ) A wise, mature person is known for his understandind. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is. ( Proverbs 16 : 21 )

I will forever believe that God is on Obama's side, and because I am a Christian I will pray for God to keep him and lead him always in the right direction.

[SurrealPumpkin]

Don't forget:

This is the first and greatest commandment , Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul, all thy strength;
The Second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

I need help with the citation for it. Er, sorry, I learned it from the King James Version of the bible.

[mach]

Are you actually implying the word of God and his commandments were to be erased at Jesus's coming....­again, please look up the distinction between prietly laws and moral (Gods Law) --which is timeless. Prietly laws were held throughout the OT to usher the High Priest, the annointed one, the Christ.

[RasAlula]

You have to separate the New Testament teachings of Christ from the teachings of the Old Testament. Moreover, Paul is not Christ. You can't say Paul did something and so it is what Christ taught. Paul, like all of us, was an imperfect man. Anyway, the point of the article, I think, was not to say Obama is Christlike. I think it is to point to the hypocrisy of McCain, Republicans and the "Christian Right". It is certainly arguable that Christ would not be for war mongering, greed and hypocrisy.

[BTJ46]

You are correct that there are many confusing and seemingly contradictory passages in scripture, which is why scripture deserves more than a cursory glance.
As a Jew, we consider the words of our Torah as a part of an ongoing dialog that continues with Talmud and the discussions of sages. While Torah does support capital punishment as your citations show, reflecting a primitive society with no real penal system, Torah also proclaims 'cities of refuge where people who have incurred a 'blood guilt' can reside without threat and thus end the cycles of violence.
Rabbi Areyeh Kaplan in the 60's interpreted Torah to mean that only wars commanded directly by G-D in the Torah were justified. All others are prohibited.

[mach]

I am unsure how you can say that the Torah does not support capital punishment. To the contrary, it is mandatory in the Torah nand describes what form of punishment should be allowed.

According to the Mishnah (Sanhedrin 1:4) the death penalty could only be inflicted, after trial, by a Sanhedrin composed of twenty-three judges and there were four types of death penalty (Sanhedrin 7:1): stoning, burning, slaying (by the sword), and strangling.