I was even more troubled by the Catholic theologian endorsing Obama. She won’t be one for long. Endorsing a pro-choice candidate? That’s a big no no for them.

I have to admit that I’ve loved most of what I’ve read by McLaren but I feel like he’s lost me on this one.  I’m not sure that I want any Christian/Pastor endorsing any candidate.  It’s like putting a holy stamp on a guy who is sure to disappoint.  I’m not sure how this is any different than Dobson stumping for Bush 4 & 8 years ago (and maybe that’s the point).

Why can’t we focus on Kingdom issues, even in the political arena instead of placing our hope in one man/woman to represent our Kingdom hopes and dreams.

This just feels like it will end with a bunch of Christians disappointed that they put their name (and Jesus’ name) behind another candidate.

I agree with Andy, I think it’s a bad decision for a pastor to endorse any candidate.  Seems to me to be an abuse of the role. 

Wendi

About the “as a pastor” observations… McLaren’s not a pastor (or even a local church leader anymore) supporting a candidate (and he has never, I think, been an ordained pastor either --not that I think there’s anything wrong with that… on the contrary). Anyway… He’s a private citizen/celebrity. (He is no longer a pastor at the church he founded, although I think he still attends and occasionally speaks there.)

My problem is with any Christian leader of that ilk supporting a candidate. Since they all break their “promises” eventually, it makes us, I think, look foolish, and I’m thinking that we’re dangerously close to the leaven of the pharisees…

I think it’s funny that Brian normally tries to almost HIDE his true opinions, or express them in sometimes cryptic fashion… but not in this case.

well, there’s no way I can vote for Obama now, is there?

Okay Leonard, I see you looking my direction with your last post.  Touché.  In my defense I’d say that what bothers me about Dobson’s endorsements is that he seems (IMO) to have to vilify the opposing candidate or position.  He also too often seems to imply that he is presenting the “Christian” position.

I didn’t realize that McLaren was no longer shepharding a church, which changes my position a bit (I’ve not been following him very will I guess. Is Caldwell still pastoring?) I’m not all that concerned with the fact that people in public positions fail, or at least show that they are fallible.  My issue is that when a local pastor endorses someone, he/she is using their God-given position for purposes that are not of the kingdom.  IMO, an abuse of power.  Outside of that role, I’d say be cautious, and for heaven sake, and if your guy (or gal) messes up, don’t spin the story or make excuses to make them (and you) look better.

Wendi

Above all that, I think it’s a pretty cheesy commercial. Not very well done.

I think this is one of McLaren’s worst ideas ever.

Of course he’s not supporting Obama as a private citizen. Private citizens don’t get stuck on commercials because of their recognizable mug. No, McLaren is trading in his influence, gained through legitimate means, for political influence. I’m very saddened by this.

Obama’s imagination of the abortion issue is desperately anemic. He plans to bulk up the military and send more troops to Afghanistan.
McCain’s understanding of evil is arrogant and blasphemous. His enthusiasm for war and defeating ‘the enemy’ is as unChristian as it gets.

The ‘Christian’ vote? There is none.

As an aside, Matthew 25 is about a metaphorical judgment of the nations on the basis of their treatment of Jesus’ disciples. It has nothing to do with ‘social justice’ (except perhaps by imaginative extrapolation). The parable of the sheep and the goats (key word: parable) is Jesus’ way of telling his disciples that he’s with them, that he won’t abandon them, and that their lives are accounted for.
The Church is God’s plan for the world. Not the democrats, not the republicans.

Peace,
-Daniel-

Yikes ~~ that commercial is scary is so many ways.  I know that I won’t be donating to Matthew 25.

Daniel writes

[As an aside, Matthew 25 is about a metaphorical judgment of the nations on the basis of their treatment of Jesus’ disciples. It has nothing to do with ‘social justice’ (except perhaps by imaginative extrapolation).] I couldn’t disagree with your statement on that more, and neither, it seems, can any of the commentaries on my shelf (especially in light of all of the other instruction in the Bible for how God wants us to treat the poor).

But…

You also wrote [The Church is God’s plan for the world. Not the democrats, not the republicans.] I couldn’t agree more.

Well, lets see, if the overall reasoning by all of the commercial’s supporters is that Obama has been married for 16 yrs, and he has two daughters, and these are his qualifications for President, then let’s find someone who has been married for 17 years, because this person would be even better qualified.

What about abortion, taxes increases, and the loss of inalienable rights of free speech due to Obama’s homosexual marriage support?  I guess Biblical and moral perspectives don’t matter if you’ve been married for 16 yrs. 

Obama is a man who disavows much of what Scripture teaches on moral issues, but he is sure working hard to make it sound as if he’s a Biblical follower.  Very curious.

Ah yes, Mr. McLaren,
Just read an interesting story about Obama’s half-brother [same father] who lives in squalor in Kenya. To bad Obama doesn’t float his brother a few bucks.

Interestingly, McClaren declares himself a “pastor.” Listen to the video, again.

“As a pastor, I know you can learn a lot about a man’s character based on how he treats his family....” --McLaren

Yep, poor George Hussein Onyango Obama could use a hand, but where is big brother. Yes, you can learn a lot by how a man treats his family.
fishon

I could care less that McLaren chose to publicly endorse a candidate. I won’t. But to say that he is saying it as an individual and not a pastor is laughable.

He is leveraging the title Pastor in his endorsement. If it were as an individual than why say Pastor/Author. Or Pastor on the name of every other person that shares in the video.

He is absolutely and without a doubt making this endorsement as a pastor. His choice...absolutely. Appropriate...debatable...obviously.