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About Tony Beam

Vice-President for Student Services and the Director of the Christian Worldview Center at North Greenville College in Tigerville, South Carolina, Dr. Tony Beam received his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and his Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Beam also serves as Interim Pastor at East Pickens Baptist Church

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Tony Beam

Pastor, Conference speaker, Professor, Talk Show Host, and Columnist

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Should Evangelicals Embrace Barack Obama?



Thousands of people pack arenas, stadiums, and even churches.  They scream, cry, shout, and some are so overcome with emotion they faint and have to be revived.  When the event is over people speak in hushed tones about the power of the service and how they can sense the anointing that seems to hang in the air. 

Are we talking about an evangelistic crusade or a mega church service?  No….it is a typical campaign stop for the man some are calling a “political messiah.”  With more smooze than a seasoned snake-oil salesman and more slogans and clichés than a Madison Avenue advertising agency Barack Obama makes his case to be President (or is it guru) of the United States. 

There is literally no substance to his speeches.  He speaks of “change” and how “the time is now.”  He constantly refers to his campaign as “a movement” and a movement it may be but it is a movement sans a message.  This is a campaign that seems to be less about the fitness of the candidate to serve and more about the fabulous nature of the campaign itself.  It is kind of watching a football game and being more enthused about the stadium than what is happening on the field. 

Obama speaks in ecstatic clichés to enraptured audiences.  “We can do this…it will not be easy…it will require struggle and sacrifice.”  He goes on to whip his crowd into a frenzy saying, “I want to speak directly to all those Americans who have yet to join this movement but still hunger for change: we need you.”  One of the lines that gets the most response is when he cries, “It’s different not because of me.  It’s different because of you.”  The irony is that the whole thing, the whole campaign or movement is absolutely about Obama.  It is about his personal charisma and charm.  It can’t be about the issues because there are no issues in play.  The entire “movement” is built on emotion and adrenaline.  It reminds me of the first Beatles concerts in the United States.  No one knew for months whether they could sing or not because no one could hear their music above the noise of the crowd.  We have no idea whether or not there is any substance behind Obama’s rhetoric because if anyone asks about the issues his supporters roll their eyes and look at you like some old coot that just doesn’t get it. 

Yet, some Evangelicals are flocking to Obama as if he the words he speaks are on par with Holy Writ.  But before he is anointed as “savior of America” it might be a good idea to peal back some of the layers of his movement so we can take a peek at his record.  Obama has been endorsed by the left wing of the left wing of the Democrat Party.  He enjoys the support of NARAL and Emily’s List.  Both of these extreme organizations not only support but also actually prefer abortions.  Of course, that makes sense when you consider the fact that while Obama was in the Illinois Senate he supported a bill that would have allowed babies to be left to die who were “accidentally” born alive after a botched abortion attempt. 

MoveOn.org, who just recently ran a full-page ad in the New York Times depicting General David Petraeus as “General Betray Us”, has endorsed Obama.  Responding to questions in the Family Research Council Action Values Voter Guide, Obama pledged to oppose any federal parental notification law concerning abortion.  He vowed to provide federal funding for therapeutic cloning and embryonic destructive research.  He promised to work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and to make sure no Federal Marriage Amendment will see the light of day.  He promised to sign legislation that would extend federal civil rights protection based on sexual orientation and “gender identity.” 

Obama answered, “yes” to the statement “I would sign a federal hate crimes law that included protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”  He stated that he opposes repealing the death tax and any legislation that emphasizes border security over all other forms of immigration reform. 

There can be no doubt that Barack Obama is both a Leftist dream and an Evangelical nightmare. He supports the most extreme agenda ever proposed for the American people.  Yet most of his supporters don’t’ have a clue because all they know is he represents “change.”  It would be good to remember that Karl Marx brought change to Russia and Fidel Castro brought change to Cuba.  Both forms of change came complete with chains that still bind people to the lie of Marxism.  Change without knowing which direction the change will take us is a scary proposition. 

Before Evangelicals join the “Movement” known as the Obama campaign they might want to follow Dorothy’s example in the Wizard of Oz and pull back the curtain to see just who the great and powerful Obama really is.  And they better do it before they wake up to discover we are not in America anymore.    


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Most Recent User Comments
mqsnerd
2/23/2008 7:39 PM
This campaign is the classic "style over substance" pablum we see every political season. Like Bill Clinton, Obama has a great oratorial gift. I have heard pundits say that Baracks' speeches don't 'say' anything... that's untrue. He speaks to the heart, the language of emotions... such speech is compelling, entrancing, and, by definition, devoid of serious thought (serious thought would 'break the trance')
This is not to say Obama isn't thoughtful, serious, or devoid of ideas. Quite to the contrary, Barack has many ideas he would like to implement... Programs and ideas that I consider dangerous to America. He is certainly to the left of Hillary in most ideology. Unlike Hillary, he knows how to wrap it up with a pretty bow.
He appeals to the heart, talks of change, redefines caring and fairness, promises to fulfill most of your dreams... an amazing story. What he doesn't tell you, however, is that for you to get your dreams, you must first wake up. That won't happen til november.
alisays
2/23/2008 6:12 PM
"It is about his personal charisma and charm. It can’t be about the issues because there are no issues in play. The entire “movement” is built on emotion and adrenaline."

It is because the American people are hearing what they have wanted and needed to hear. That there is a way for the world to be a better place and that it can start here in our own back yards. Just as a Jew who walked the Mid-East showed the residents of the land how to obtain a better life in the way, the platform Obama has set is one of experience. Show them it can be done, show them how it has been done and show them how to do it! For all the jobless and homeless and the less wealthy than we were a few years ago Americans, the message Obama sends is a blessing. A blessing in disguise? Can it be any worse than the stalemate of the campaign promises that have repeatedly let us down? We don't know the plans God has in mind for our country. But we do know what we want and cheer when we hear it. Ali
mdevoid
2/22/2008 8:26 PM
I feel that some of his background stems from a Muslem background. So do I think that Evangelicals should embrace Barack Obama, in my opinon I would have to say no. I am not just refering to his background. I feel that many leaders from around the world might not take him or Hillary Clinton very serious.

I feel like most, this would require much prayer, so I will pray to have God direct my path. I have learned a long time ago, that I could not make a sound decision without first goin to the Lord and seeking His guidance.

This elcetion will be the most important decision that America will have to make! I fell that we will need someone who will have the leadership ability to run a country that is in a recesion and a war. To say that we will pull our soildiers, sailor, and airmaen out of Iraq in one shot would be political suicide. I can say this because I have been in several confilct myself, and I have seen what a sudden pullout would do to our sercemen and women. Michael