Evil on the Left; Evil on the Right

Jeremiah Wright is just another run of the mill, in-it-for-the-money hack. In my mind there's nothing new or shocking about him or his rantings whatsoever. He's certainly not worth the press he's being given, and if I'm surprised by anything whatsoever about this whole non-event it's the fact that people are surprised by him - especially Christian evangelicals. This is why I've not wasted any time writing about him...until now.

Truth be told Jeremiah Wright is simply an antitype of John Hagee and his "Christian Right" ilk.

Look at the parallels:

Wright preaches a socio-communist "you're being held back" black poverty gospel and Hagee preaches a "name it and claim it" WASP capitalist prosperity gospel.

Both preach a government solution theology; the soteriology of Gnostic governance. Instead of Jesus Christ and His eternal gospel of grace, human government and/or politics is the solution to all their perceived woes and injustices - political action is the means to their ends. I've previously written about this obscene form of spiritual harlotry in a post entitled It Stands Alone.

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)

Both adhere to a corrupt "seeker sensitive" ecclesiology. Wright's brand of error appeals to the downtrodden and disenfranchised and Hagee's appeals to those who reap the benefits of the present system.

Both Wright and Hagee are intensely focused on a message of instant gratification. They aim for results right here and right now in this life, and anything less is unacceptable; "the afterlife can wait, I want my heaven on earth today; I want my BEST LIFE NOW!"

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:20)

And let's be honest here, it isn't just Jeremiah Wright and John Hagee who are preaching this nonsense. Pulpits across the land are preaching the exact same (though opposite) messages week after week. The error is rampant, the deception is massive, and hell awaits all the blind adherents of these other gospels.

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7)

Do we love those people enough to tell them the truth? Are we bold enough to share the simple truth of Jesus Christ crucified, dead, buried and resurrected on the third day for remission of sins?

I'd like to see the sincere, godly love of the TRUE body of Christ, the church invisible pour forth to our professing brothers and sisters who are immersed in these soul damning errors.

Though there's consumer Christianity on the right hand, and liberal Christianity on the left hand - yet there's still hope.

They've replaced the eternal Gospel with the vain imaginings of men - yet there's still hope.

They've replaced the cross of Christ with a plasticized, man-centered message to tickle the itching ears of their fickle adherents, hangers-on, yes men, and sycophants - yet there's still hope.

There's hope - real hope - in the hands that were pierced for our transgressions.

There's hope - real hope - in the heart that poured forth blood and water for remission of sins.

There's hope - real hope - in the nail scarred feet that walked up Golgotha and carried the cross of sinful, fallen humanity upon His torn and bleeding back.

May those who are called by His Holy Name - the Name above all names, the name to which every knee in heaven, on earth, and beneath the earth will one day bow, the name of the The Lord Jesus Christ, the Risen Savior, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the perfect and sinless Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, the Ancient of Days, the Almighty God - take up our crosses daily and follow after Him - after all, it's a light burden to bear, and for us it isn't optional; it's a command.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. (Luke 10:16)

A prayer: Oh Lord God Almighty You and You alone are holy and worthy of all praise and glory and power and honor and strength and wisdom and riches forever and evermore! Forgive us oh Lord for our wayward hearts and our unfaithfulness! Forgive us oh Lord for we are a stiff necked and rebellious people! Renew our hearts oh God and restore a right spirit within us! Help us, empower us, embolden us to be the people you've called us to be! Circumcise our hearts oh God that we might serve you with singleness of eye, not as men-pleasers but as humble servants of the Most High God! Write your holy law and righteous precepts upon the tables of our hearts of God! Make us a people of prayer oh Lord! Change us, mold us, shape us oh Lord into the earthen vessels that you would have us to be my King for you are the Potter and we are but clay! May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! Amen.