Was Wright Right?

From April 25-28, Barack Obama's former pastor, Dr. Jeremiah Wright was ubiquitous in the mainstream media. He appeared on PBS's Bill Moyer's Journal on Friday night, and preached at the NAACP convention, and again at the National Press Club on Monday.

Most people were not impressed. They rarely are with prophets. The prophets of the Old Testament often taunted political and military leaders for the nation's sins and shortcomings, and then paid the consequences for their boldness. Then later generations would realize the truth of their words, repent, and erect a monument to honor their new spiritual hero.

Dr. Wright proclaimed an unpopular message, taking on the world's political and military super-power along with her leaders. He even had the audacity to challenge presidential contender Barack Obama, a member of the church Wright once pastored, "If you get elected, November the 5th I'm coming after you, because you'll be representing a government whose policies grind under people." Bold.

On the Bill Moyer's interview Dr. Wright went into detail explaining some of his comments made in a sermon he delivered on September 16, 2001--just five days after the horrific loss of life during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. His text for the day was the ancient Psalm 137, and his application to the immediate post-9/11 situation, when taken in context, was brilliant.

Remember, O LORD, what the Edomites (in this case, the terrorists) did on the day Jerusalem (the WTC twin towers) fell. "Tear it down," they cried, "tear it down to it's foundations!" O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us-- he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.
Psalm 137:1-9 (NIV)

He spoke about the desire for revenge in the aftermath of intentional terrorism. But as revenge is being exacted even the innocents get caught up in the wake of retaliation, while the loss of innocent lives gets labeled "collateral damage" in order to soothe the revenge-takers conscience or justify their cause.

He pointed out that in our nation's history and expansion that innocent peoples have been victimized, and they, too, have sought (and will seek) revenge against their oppressor when the opportunity presents itself. He reminded his listeners that violence never brings peace, it only breeds more violence. He challenged an angry, hurt, and revenge-hungry people to seek a better way--the way of Jesus:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

(the words of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 5:38-48)