And, yes, I DO take it personally: A Brother Tim Op-Ed

I try to keep my posts proprietary to the blog on which they're written. However, as this story refuses to give up the ghost; I thought I'd launch my boat and see how it floats. This was originally published at the Blog of Revelation.

Obama Shakes Off Wright Jab

Although it was a stinger, it was by no means a knock-out blow. It never even drew blood. The pounding Obama has taken from the MSM pundits seems to have only proved to make him stronger, as witnessed by the primaries in North Carolina and Indiana last night. The question that the pundits of the MSM refuse to ask, even though it is asked daily in the blogosphere, is: What was Wright's motivation?

I have read and heard explanations such as, 'He was duped' or 'He's out to ruin Obama'. There may be some degree of truth to those explanations, but it is much more complex than that.

The Rev Jeremiah Wright is a self-aggrandizing, bombastic, egocentric, fool. He is an 'old-school' Black who refuses to accept or acknowledge progress. He is afflicted with what I would term, Plantation Syndrome. If he gets a traffic ticket; is declined credit; turned down for employment; or has his electric service cut off; the reason is always the same: "It's because I'm Black". It's the selfish resistance to accept responsibility; something I'm
certain he's preached on many times. It appears Wright has succumbed to the lustful desires of the flesh. Paul counsels in Galations 5:16-17 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Make no mistake about this: Rev Wright is an intelligent and well-educated man. Was he duped? To some extent. Was he trying to purposely hurt Obama? Again, to some extent. His motivation is spawned by his fleshly desire for vengeance.

The man started his calling with a good heart and noble intentions -- helping and lifting up the poor and downtrodden. In that, he experienced much success. Day-Care Centers; Outreach Missions; Food Pantries; and preaching the love and understanding of the Gospel of Christ. But somewhere, sometime, something went terribly awry.

I have several Black friends, including Pastors, and am no stranger to Black Churches and their style of preaching and worship. I have spoken with them about the Wright Debacle, and they are all of the opinion that, worse than the pain he has inflicted on Obama, is the damage he has done to the Black Church, and Christianity in general.

Black Preachers are fiery, entertaining, animated Bible-thumpers; but they are NOT vitriolic or hateful. The Blacks I have talked with, including the Pastors, feel adamantly that he does NOT represent the Black Church. From my personal experiences, I tend to agree with them whole-heartedly.

He's correct when he said, "Black Churches worship differently", but not in the way he implied. Black Churches are on a different, possibly higher, spiritual plane; due to the histrionic tribulation of subjugation. There is a lot of truth in what Wright said, but with his intelligence and education, the language and words he used, were both irresponsible and inexcusable. Mark 7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. So...... How did the flesh get such a death-grip upon a Man of God?

Frustration (I can understand that). But Wright let his frustration give way to anger, and his anger birthed a bitterness within him. Anger has a way, if not kept in check, to eat a man up, from the inside out. David advises in Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Wright was little-known outside of the Greater Chicago area, where he was highly esteemed. He saw in Obama, a chance to gain national prominence; to become, as it were, the next Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, or Al Sharpton. To him, the opportunity was irresistible.

However, after being forced to resign both his coveted position as Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, and his seat on Obama's Spiritual Advisory Committee; his frustration, anger, and bitterness reached the boiling point. When he was offered the 'National Spotlight' by his long-time friend, Rev Barbara Reynolds (an ardent Clinton supporter), at the National Press Club; he jumped on it like a duck on a June-bug. He had little or no concern for the ripple effect it would have on Obama, the Black Church, or Christianity. He thought only of himself, and his need to vent his anger and bitterness. He felt the National Press Club event was the perfect venue for the unleashing of his vengeance. Wrong---- It only tarnished his reputation, and sullied his message.

He should have prayed for discernment, as to why the MSM was giving him so much airtime, when preachers like John Hagee, Pat Robertson, Rod Parsley, Jerry Falwell, et al, make the same comments and worse; yet are given little to no coverage. Hypocrisy rears it's ugly head again.

So what do we do now?

I would exhort all people of faith to pray for Jeremiah Wright. I have, and will fervently continue to do so. I pray that Rev Wright will be blessed with:
Inner-peace -- To be freed from the bonds of the demons of his frustrations, anger, and bitterness.
Strength -- To combat the lusts of the flesh that are overtaking him.
Wisdom -- To see the error of his ways, and a return to the good works the Lord has commissioned him to do.

And what should Rev Jeremiah Wright do?

He should repent, apologize, ask forgiveness of those he has wronged; and above all, keep his mouth shut tight till the Holy Ghost gives him utterance.

Will he do it? I don't know. Given his mindset and performance over the last couple of months, it appears doubtful. But hey.......Scripture tells us that only God can change a heart, and with God, all things are possible.

Alors, I will keep the faith and continue praying.

Peace and Grace,
Brother Tim