Old Testament Christians

Did you catch the "news" about pastor and former Southern Baptist Convention officer Wiley Drake who claimed on “The Alan Colmes Show” on Fox News Radio that he is praying “imprecatory prayer” against President Obama. Here is a bit from the shows transcript:
Colmes: “You would like for the president of the United States to die?”

Drake: “If he does not turn to God and does not turn his life around, I am asking God to enforce imprecatory prayers that are throughout the Scripture that would cause him death, that’s correct.”
Can you believe this guy? So sad that many "Christians" hold to an Old Testament view of faith and of life.. small wonder "Christians" get a bad rap for being judgmental and hateful. It is my belief that New Testament Christians should filter everything in Scripture through Jesus.. here is what He had to say about praying for folks you don't like:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven."
My thinking is that Jesus wasn't speaking of “imprecatory prayer”.. hard to love someone and wish them dead. Here's hoping that Wiley Drake isn't praying for me.. or you.

9 comments:

  1. Drake sounds like one of those 'religious leaders' that Jesus continually had to take to task. He had better be keeping one eye open and looking over his shoulder as he prays those prayers.

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  2. I agree, Bob, one of the most striking things about Jesus is his concept of loving one's enemies. It's sad how frequently that is forgotten or ignored.

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  3. It's difficult and disturbing to accept that some of our (and God's) worst enemies are our supposed brothers and sisters in Christ. Somehow I doubt that God is in any way impressed by Drake's imprecatory prayers. Praying death on someone simply because they don't subscribe to your particular brand of Christianity is quite simply evil.

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  4. There are some people who will use anything to gain power over others, some use religion, some use politics.

    I think Christianity can be a powerful force for good in the world, some of my fellow atheists would be appalled to hear me say that, but my experience has been that there are many Christians who live Christ's servant model for the benefit of others.

    Sadly, some only use Christianity to gain power over others.

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  5. My prayers are for Obama and that he might be a wise leader for your nation.

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  6. I can't even respond because I don't think I can do so without cussing.

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  7. Oh my, how sad. No wonder Christianity has such a poor reputation to many.

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  8. My wife today told me that she looked up “imprecatory prayer” and here is what she got:

    "to invoke or call down (evil or curses), as upon a person."

    I think "Christian Witch Doctor" would have been a better title for this post.

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  9. Gives a whole new definition to "i'll keep you in my prayers".

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