earlier today, we announced, via our email list, a special 4 day deal on a new book release:
barack obama: an american story
and, as expected, there’s been a flood of angry emails accusing us of all sorts of things, questioning if we’ve lost our souls, and wondering about our discernment. most assume (not surprisingly) that the book — written for teenagers, in our “invert” line — is a political book (which it isn’t).
so, let me attempt to unpack this a bit, giving some background as to why it is we published this book.
it all started when our parent company, zondervan, was getting set to release a quick-to-press book on sarah palin. about the time this book was going to the printer, we had a discussion about how engaged teenagers seem to be in the election this time around. and we were commenting on how so much of this seems to be due to the unprecedented nature of this election — that we were either going to end up with the very first female vice president, or the very first african american president. either way, this election was going to be, of course, rather historic, and allow entire segments of the youth population (girls and non-white guys) to consider the notion that opportunities for them are not limited.
(as an aside, one of my fellow middle school small group leaders at church shared a story about how wild the discussion was in his 8th grade guys small group last week. a bunch of the guys were talking smack about obama, and one of the two african american kids in the group was getting visibly annoyed. my friend tried to get him to verbalize what he was thinking and feeling, and he declined, saying he didn’t think he could do it without totally going off on the other guys. during a short break a few minutes later, the leader had a chat with the guy, and he said something like: “for me, it’s not just about whether or not he’ll be a good president. i’ve just always heard that i could be anything i want to be — but i’ve always known that there were limits, because of my skin. obama being elected changes all of that for me. and i have a hard time even knowing how to put that into words.”)
back to the storyline of how our book came to be…
knowing that teenagers were more engaged than ever, and that with palin and obama in this election, it was bringing up issues of gender and race that were buzzing amongst teenagers, we thought it might be helpful to have life-story books on both of them. we discussed that it was a bit weird to have a book on a vp candidate and another on a presidential candidate (rather than a book on mccain to go alonside a book on obama). but we weren’t interested in creating books about political issues, per se. we were talking about these life stories of people (both of whom seriously claim to be people of faith, of course).
so, we set out to create a youth edition of the zondervan palin book, as well as have a book about obama’s life story written very quickly (like, in less than one week). our original plan was to crank these out and release them a few weeks prior to the election. but within a couple weeks, we’d hit too many snags on the palin book to make it a reality (which is funny, because we’d originally thought it was going to be the easier of the two to get done). we’d also heard from buyers at store chains that they thought it was too late for pre-election books, and they didn’t think they would carry them. they only thought they would carry a book about whichever one won the election.
so, with the obama book manuscipt already written and in the edit process, and no palin book on the horizon (and, by this point, the polls were slanting significantly in obama’s direction), we held off on sending anything to the printer (remember, the buyers only wanted something about whoever won). on the 5th, we pulled the trigger on the print run, and the book became real.
so, what was originally intended as 1/2 of a paired set of life stories became a stand-alone product about the newly elected president.
now, many of the dozens of angry emails we got today (so far — i’m sure there will be many more) say things like:
- why is youth specialties getting into politics?
- how could you support a baby-killer? there is no way he is a christian.
- we will no longer have anything to do with you, and will tell all of our youth working friends to avoid you also.
this breaks my heart, in so many ways. but let me start with this: i don’t have to agree with someone to find inspiration from their life story. i read a fascinating book about houdini last year, and loved it. and there was much about him i found myself admirable. there was even more about him i found distasteful. but i’m glad i read the book!
second: i find it so difficult to understand my fellow followers of jesus who question another person’s salvation because they disagree with them on a particular issue (or, on more than one issue). let me offer an illustration of this…
ron luce is the national leader of an organization called “acquire the fire“, and a nationally known author, speaker, and trainer of youth workers. ron and i have publicly talked about the many ways we disagree — some of which are quite strong, to be sure. but i don’t, for a second, question ron’s salvation (or even his heart or motive, for that matter). and, i think, based on our previous interactions, that ron would say the same about me.
the reality is, palin and obama were the two candidates who spoke publicly about their faith on a regular basis (moreso than biden or mccain). it is god’s role to decide on salvation. yes, i am to be discerning in my understanding of truth, but it’s not my place to decide who’s a christian and who isn’t.
in addition, while the bible isn’t exactly prescriptive about our engagement with elected officials (or royalty, for that matter), it does have these things to say:
Colossians 1:16
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Titus 3:1-3
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
Romans 13:1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:5
Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
at youth specialties, we have democrats and republicans and independents on staff. we do not have a political agenda. we have a christ agenda. and we have an agenda to provide resources for youth workers. we know that every resource we create won’t be your cup of tea (shoot, as a youth worker, not everything we create is my cup of tea, that’s for sure!). so we ask you to use your discernment, yet remain open to a new thing that god might want to do in your heart.
for more on this book, here’s a pdf from our publisher about why we did this book, including a bunch of helpful embedded links.
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Okay class, show of hands…How many of you have already read this book? Zero…hmmmm…maybe a little bit of a rush to judgment then.
c’iest la vie! Down with the resistance!
Marko, Thanks for publishing this book! I’ve been doing some writing on this subject myself and agree with your reasoning for writing this book! Here is some of what I’ve been writing as well: http://youthmaster.blogspot.com/2008/11/president-elect.html; http://youthmaster.blogspot.com/2008/10/arguments-and-apologetics-pt-2.html; http://youthmaster.blogspot.com/2008/10/20-somethings-and-obama.html; http://youthmaster.blogspot.com/2008/08/faith-of-barack-obama.html
I too have gotten a lot of heat from Christians for discussing this topic in the light in which I did. Thanks for writing and reading!
Marko, Good Stuff!
i worried that this book would be more divisive than intended. the minute i got the email about the book i thought, ‘this certainly is permissable, but not beneficial.’ although not the original intention (as mentioned in the post), this book doesn’t build towards unity in the body of Christ, but works against it. it’ll blow over, but ys should maybe come out with another letter that’s less of an apologetic for the book, but one that intentionally reaches out to the offended. i love ys and anticipate that mark and his team will work together with anyone who’s offended. he’s personally been very kind to me.
The book is no surprise to me. Neither is the timing. The negative response of some should be no surprise to YS or Zondervan either.
Choosing to publish a controversial book is your decision. Dealing with the negative opinions it creates simply goes along with the territory. Please don’t play the role of the poor oppressed publisher who is disappointed by those who say you never should have published the book.
For the reasons you have outlined, you felt it was needed. I won’t try to guess at your motives, but please grant the rest of us the right to disagree without questioning our motives either.
You made a business decision. Please don’t play the “broken heart” card.
The background explanation is great. All books are better understood by this type of info.
Buying the book simply cos so many people are annoyed (Even though I don’t agree with many of Obama’s opinions – I don’t agree with a lot of the behaviour of other Christians either – which are every bit as destructive.)
You speak as if you are in some vacuum or something that is disconnected from the actualities of real life. Many have questioned Obama’s salvation – I am not here to do that. But as a follower of Christ it breaks my heart that Obama voted repeatedly to support the death of unborn babies. No matter how you slice it that type of “fruit” from a person life doesn’t please God. We as a nation traded babies for the economy. And for YS to think that they can publish a book like this in a vacuum without it supporting his positions is simply naive. Sure it’s inspirational but Christian or not his position on this key issue is so far from the heart of God. God loves life and even took back the keys of death. I will still use YS stuff but the credibility that your Naïveté has inadvertantly given to his ungodly positions grieves me.
I took the time to read every post that is listed above mine prior to making one. Being a self professed political junkie as well as a youth pastor, I must (as some others do) look at this from that perspective. While none of us agreed with all of the political platforms of Barack Obama, I’m sure none of us agreed with those of John McCain either. What has taken place here is very saddening. The political process and its habit of planting seeds of discourse and sometimes outright lying in order to get one candidate or another elected has caused a division in the church. We have some Christians who decide that based on one issue, one candidate is against the will of God and they cannot support them while not looking at any other platform stances.
As Americans we have the right to vote, but we also have the responsibility to be informed voters. On the other hand, as Christians, we need to be cognizant of the big picture. Historically, politicians know how to push polarizing topics out there to get your attention and this season, it was abortion. How about looking at all of the platform stances taken by the opposing candidates and testing it with God’s word? Then make your decision. Also, look at how they run their campaign. I didn’t make my decision until about a week before I voted. It was largely on the nature of the campaigning of the one I didn’t vote for, because they each had platform stances that I didn’t like which made my decision that much more difficult.
That aside, I agree with the inspirational aspect of the book. If you are not black or a person of color (we are not minorities), then you cannot understand the pervasive notion that while we are a part of this great country and we have certain inalienable rights, there were limits to what we could do and where we could go. The election of this black man who loves God, his country AND care for his family is inspirational on so many levels. In a time where black men aren’t graduating high school…he graduated top of his class. In a time where black men aren’t staying home to care for and raise their kids…he stops campaigning to go to a school function. In a time where much of the music our young black teens are exposed to degrades and demoralizes women…he openly shows affection for and acknowledges ‘his rock’. In a time where we’re told that the products of teenage pregnancy have disadvantages…he excels. In a time where WE thought we’d never see a black man as POTUS…he won a majority of the votes in almost every category listed. I thank God for the inspiration this story shall offer and the love of God that guides and protects him as he leads this country.
If you are a victim of the propaganda machine that demonized this man who loves God, his family and his country you are just as much in my prayers as those who are doing the Godly thing and praying for the success of this country and the divine guidance that only God can provide for its leader. It’s just my opinion, but I’m not wrong.
Thank you, I am so tired of hearing Christians bash Obama, the last I checked I don’t think God is registered to vote or Republican or Democrate.
Who is bashing Obama here? Did anyone here question the man’s faith? I’ve seen people question the FRUIT of his faith, but as far as I have seen, no one has bashed the man himself.
When did disagreeing with a man’s policies become “bashing him”?
Okay, regardless of your politics or what you think of Obama, the amazing lengths our country has come to with regard to having an African-American president is absolutely astounding and this is a watershed moment in history, not just for our country, but for our world and that deserves to be recognized, discussed and even celebrated.
i am honestly confused and saddened that people — especially Christians — have made every single issue so black and white. are there no longer gray areas? and i truly don’t understand when supporting or voting for a candidate started meaning that you agree with every single thing they have ever said, or every single stance they take on every issue. i have never fully agreed with any candidate, and i don’t think i ever will. but i’m not looking for another savior– i’m looking for a leader of our country. and who will lead best is dependent on a LOT of things, not just their voting record on one issue.
and i don’t think it’s fair to say that ys is “being trusted to provide non-politically charged youth ministry resources.” ys is being trusted to provide youth ministry resources, period. and i have a lot of kids that were very interested in this election, and would be interested in learning more about obama’s faith. if you don’t have kids that would be interested in that, don’t buy the book.
i also think it’s unfair to judge the basis by which ys decided to publish that book. just because it will make them money doesn’t mean that was the reason they decided to publish it now. NOW is when kids are interested in this issue. i’m sorry, but by the time the inauguration comes around, my kids will probably have lost interest. just because ys decided to publish it now doesn’t mean they are endorsing a certain political party or focusing on the almighty dollar. i think it’s naive and mean-spirited to assume intention when there are so many factors going into the decision. if you don’t agree with it, if you aren’t interested in it, by all means share your opinion– but don’t villanize a person or company for one decision.
I’m sorry am I missing something here? I thought that Marko’s explanation for the Palin and Obama books was that these two figures were monumental for girls and NON-white guys. Wasn’t that the whole point? Whether you agree with Obama’s politics or Palin’s, Marko quite specifically stated that these two people were vocal about their faith AND they were two major figures who were able to set an example to all those people who were told they could become anything they wanted, but in reality faced A LOT of uphill battles because of sexism and racism. THAT’S WHY THEY’RE INSPIRING.
Yippee! I can’t wait for your Romney book! If Black Liberation Theology proclaims a genuine saving gospel, I suppose mormonism does too. A big sarcastic “way to go!”.
Amen Amy Kay!!! I totally agree. I have been working with students for 20 years. Their level of engagement and conversation about the way they experience their culture is vastly different than when I started. They are very interested in politics, world hunger, making a difference, changing the world, etc. A book about a world changer creates an environment for discussion and an opportunity to pass on wisdom.
Reading some of the comments on the blog I am reminded of why so many of my non-christian friends have a hard time believing in Jesus. The division comes from us attacking each other and the amazing servants God has placed to minister to the WHOLE WORLD that Jesus died for-THE WHOLE WORLD! I’ll tell you one thing, I have never heard so many people say they were gonna pray for a president! Barack is going to be covered nicely if they mean it! Can’t wait to read the book Marko! Hang in there.
Marko, I question the appropriateness of a Christian organization and one that, from my understanding, seeks to be biblical in its approach to youth ministry, producing material that really does glorify someone who has so many unbiblical views–which is not to say that some of his values align with scripture. I believe that in doing so you are in danger of encouraging a false dichotomy between faith and politics among our impressionable youth. To say that we can separate Obama’s political views from his faith is counter-intuitive to helping teens establish a biblical world-view, one that every part of life is immersed in, whether political or otherwise. Obama may be a hero to many, but he is surely not a champion of the unborn, a biblical view of the marriage relationship and those who seek to maintain the sanctity of marriage, or those who seek to uphold God’s view of homosexuality–many of the values that are dissintegrating among even Christian youth.
I’m bummed by your judgment on this one and more importantly on the statement this move makes about the greying of biblical conviction and truth.
One more time class…show of hands…how many have read the book? Zero…Okay just checking.
A few books that I would like to see YS publish:
“The Truth Project”…why the truth of American Christianity doesn’t align with believers in Africa or any other country for that matter.
“Because we say” our non-objective opinions on everything.
“Barack and McCain” Abortion is bad, war is justifiable, both have collateral damage.
“Truth Wars” How to justify: Slavery, Oppression of woman, alcohol prohibition, and every other wing-nut idea every to come out of “scripture”.
“Pre, Post, or Amillennialism” A guide on how to get people to argue about trivial things that have no consequence for salvation. Included are guides on Baptism (Infant or Adult), Transubstantiation, Consubstantiation: Communion the body or a symbol.
Coming to a bookstore near you. Snarkiness free of charge.
thank you for putting a voice to my thoughts. i am so saddened by my many “christian” friends who make racial slurs and tell off color jokes about obama. but more than that, i fear for many of the kids in my youth group who not only make racial slurs, they truly believe he is a terrorist, the antichrist, etc. thank you for trying to set the record straight. as christians we should try to live our lives according to the teachings of jesus. he taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves. i feel sorry for those who cannot show christian love for those who are different from them or who have different beliefs. those people must not love themselves either.
Marko, I commend you and YS for your stand on releasing the book on President Elect Obama. It’s obvious you nor Zondervan Books did not perceive that it might bring such controversy. Welcome to the world of “forced open eyes.” As I read the blogs I prayed that the reponses wouldn’t go there! But, of course they did. Oh so sutly and somewhat disguised the RACE card raised it head. I am probably older than many of you who responded but my Youth Minister asked me to check out the blogs.
I have had to support my Youth Minister as he struggles with helping our youth maintain their Christianity in a very racist society. He has had to help our youth many of whom are in the Public School Systems (Don), deal in love with students, teachers, administrators who belittled President Elect Obama not because of his politics but because he is BLACK. Yes, I’m screaming! Open your eyes.
Unity in the body of Christ (Scott), create division within the family (Matt). Have you heard the the most segregated day of the week is Sunday. BELIVE IT. I have a highly seminary educated, God fearing and loving, African American woman minister who became the pastor of a predominently White congregation. Immediately the White members began to leave before even giving this pastor an opportunity to prove herself. One of the last gentlemen to leave said he loved her preaching, she was a good administrator but he just couldn’t sit under her leadership. Ask yourself, “What would I do if an African American became pastor of my church?”
President Elect Obama is a Christian. He was a member of the historical Trinity United Christian Church. A church such as this (Steve) which has numerous ministries that outreach into the community. One ministry mentors young African American boys so they won’t grow up to be those dreaded Black men that so many are afraid of. Way to go Aubrey about your knowledge of Black Liberation Theology. It comes from the teachings of Jesus about the freedom of oppressed people and in those days it was those who followed or were seeking to follow Jesus–the least, the lost, the lowly. It is a school of theology within Christianity which emphasis the Christian mission to bring justice to the poor and oppresses. One of the leading authorities was Dr. James Cone of New York. Yes, President Elect Obama’s previous pastor may have preached some things that sounded harsh to “some.” To many of us we heard words that yelled an understanding of what many of us were going through every day on our jobs, in our schools, in our neighborhoods. But if anyone had had an opportunity to hear an entire sermon, you would have heard the words of hope, encouragement and direction to love your fellow man, to pray and let God help you to make it through. I heard similar preaching in the 60′s from my White Presbyterian pastor who lived in our community and definitely understood. Believe me with the minor progress we have made in the last 40 years, if Black Liberation Theology preached hate, we would have people who exhibited hate. What do the Black Christians you know act like?
Remember it was about 40 years ago that another African American man organized the poor, rich, Black, White, Jewish, Latinos, garbagemen, actors, Congressmen, many denominations, male,female, young and old. He was a powerful minister, a believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, nonviolent, family man, lover of mankind. I’m not trying to say that President Elect Obama is another Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., after all he is a politician. But, when I looked at the crowd of people I couldn’t help but cry. I saw all colors, ages, obvious backgrounds and beliefs standing together. I think I saw looks of hope,
encouragement and love. If you truly are who you say you are, you will pray for our upcoming President. We must look past our differences be it racial, political or theological. If there is something that disturbs your spirit pray that God will take control. The ferverent, effectual prayers of the righteous availeth much! Satan wants us to divide over minor things so that we can’t come together over the major. OPEN YOUR EYES. It’s time.
Thanks to everyone for their comments. It lets us know how far we’ve come and how far we have to go.
This is an open message to Marko. I just want to say I am sorry. I am sorry, not because there are have been so many opinions shared and disagreements with you, but for the excessive amount of heat that you are having to take due to this publication.
There have been a few comments where people have told you that you can’t play the “broken hearted publisher” card. I completely disagree. Publisher is only what you do. Human being is what you are. And I can understand that it breaks your heart that so many of your brothers and sisters are passing such harsh judgement based on a book that they have not even read.
I have been reading your blog for about a year now and I want you to know that YOU inspire me. I am not even a christian, however, YOUR faith inspires me. I love the honesty and sincerity that seems to be such a great part of your personal relationship with God. I love to read about how you wrestle with issues, think independently and are continuously trying to move beyond your own comfort zone when it comes to theological thought. And I love the fact that you never ever speak for God.
Someone shared a bible verse here which I thought was beautiful and shall keep in my files. “Love does not insist on its own way;…it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Please keep being who you are and doing what you do.
Thanks for doing the book, I’m sure it will be a great asset to those who desire to use it. To be well informed is not only wise but also helps us to not make the the same mistakes in the future. But I must ask this, what about Poland?
Wow, you respond to a blog on a decision that you see as poorly made and folks call you racist, closed minded, someone who just doesn’t understand (stupid), homophobic, yada yada yada.
Look, in 1999 I wrote to J. C. Watts to ask him to run for president, telling him I would register as a Republican (I have never been registered as a Republican but was, once upon a time, resitered as a Democrat.) and I would work for him in Illinois. Why? Most importantly because of his policies, his strong Christian faith, his ethics (he said he would only serve a set number of terms in congress and held to it), and down that list was because of his race.
As far as my comment that the decision to publish this book would bring division, just look at the comments here to find the truth in that.
As far as my comment that I don’t believe the whole story on the Palin book Marko puts out there—just go back over the media coverage of her AFTER the election to see that there is still high interest in her so I think the validity of my questioning that part of the story has backing.
Obama is president-elect—he is my president-elect. But for a Christian publication to promote him as an inspirational leader is not wise. If anyone here has read about Liberation Theology in general and Black Liberation Theology in particular then you know in many areas Islam has a higher view of Jesus than those religions. And Black Liberation Theology is where Obama comes from. The citizens can vote for that and that is their right and we move forward but for a Christian publisher that seeks to promote orthodox faith to promote it is not wise.
This has nothing to do with the man’s skin color but the faith system from which he has been part of since his coming to faith. The “open-minded” readers here need to try to imagine the reverse scenario of someone coming out of the opposite belief system than black liberation theology and think how they would respond.
Now, as I said in my previous note, maybe the book deals with the critical issues some have raised in these notes. If so, great—even fantastic as it could lead to some important discussions. But if the book is just a puff piece then it will serve to lift up not just the man but his belief system.
I do have a challenge for Marko. I will buy a copy of this book for each one of my High School youth if Marko will go and talk to the 3-4 key people at YS who made the decision to publish this book–the core few. Ask them to be upfront and say if they voted for Obama or not. If just one of the 3-4 core folks voted for McCain I will buy the books. My bet is all were Obama voters and because of that they didn’t think through how this decision would impact others. Just my hunch on how this came down.
And again—we all make bad decisions at times. I have made plenty. The issue here is if you are willing to see it for what it is and learn from it or just make excuses and justifications and go on to make more of the same.
This issue is not about Obama’s race or color. It’s not about his economic policy. I don’t agree with his stand on abortion or gay rights period. I don’t see how a person that loves the same Jesus as I do, could be okay with promoting or supporting either issue. And there is a difference between loving others and promoting and supporting them.
When it comes to a book that discusses Obama’s faith, that I am then supposed to use to enlighten those under me, it really frustrates me! As a leader it is my job to judge this man and discern from his own statements and associations, before i speak on the issue of Obama to others. My judgement has NOTHING to do with his color or race, or my agreement/disagreement on economic issues. It has everything to do with his own words, and his own choices on biblical and moral issues. PERIOD! Stop making it about everything else!
I have NO problem with a TIME Life book on Obama or any other president, but a Christian organization, publishing it, and discussing his faith, doesn’t make sense. His own actions and choices should cause any Christian to be concerned at the very least.
here is a link to read for yourself were Obama stands on issues.
http://afanet.www3.capwiz.com/election/home/
if you have time, go research his time in the Illinois State Senate and the bills that he did and didn’t vote on regarding abortion.
here is obama himself talking about the bible, one of many clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FCNKwHRCQM
obama’s OWN pastor, where he sat for 20 years:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAYe7MT5BxM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=617eK2XIaLk&feature=related
obama’s friend and local pastor (he needs no introduction):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWigzBClEk8
faith in the same Jesus? Each person needs to judge and discern for themselves.
This issue is not about McCain’s experience or P.O.W. status. It’s not about his economic policy. I don’t agree with his stand on war or guns. I don’t see how a person that loves the same Jesus as I do, could be okay with promoting or supporting either issue.
Just sayin…
[quote]This issue is not about McCain’s experience or P.O.W. status. It’s not about his economic policy. I don’t agree with his stand on war or guns. I don’t see how a person that loves the same Jesus as I do, could be okay with promoting or supporting either issue.
Just sayin…[/quote]
Well, then it’s good for you that YS isn’t pushing a book about John McCain then isn’t it?
Sorry…don’t know how to quote here.
Actually it wouldn’t matter to me. Truth be known I probably won’t buy this book. Nor would I buy a McCain book.
A few other things that I will not do:
Question the salvation of those with whom I disagree.
Trust carefully edited clips on youtube.
Believe everything I hear.
Bury my head in the sand and play isolation Christianity.
Put all my faith in politicians to handle spiritual shortcomings of the population.
Among a few other things that I see Christians doing in regards to this election. It’s shameful.
Okay one more time..
replace [quote] with
Nevermind I give up
Yep, shameful indeed. Also shameful that left-leaning Christians have spent the last 8 years questioning President Bush’s salvation and calling him names.
As I stated above, I wouldn’t buy a book about Obama or Palin. I have precious little time to invest in student’s lives each week and I will not waste it on political figures, especially when politics is so utterly divisive.
No matter how anyone tries to paint President-Elect Obama’s rise, he is still a political figure that endorses policies that millions of Christians find repulsive. John McCain endorses policies that do the same. So does Sarah Palin.
There are plenty of other “inspirational” figures in the world today who do not cause the same type of division.
Just sayin…
Marko,
First of all thank you for the time you put into explaining why YS decided to release this book. I am always impressed by your leadership with YS.
I just wanted to say it makes me really sad to see the way that most Christians react to politics. Christians often times get really heated, angry and take things really personal when it comes to politics. There is this ‘unspoken rule’ that says if you are a Christians you must be a right wing republican. Now I know this is not always true, but most importantly it shouldn’t be true. But everyone knows that this is the stereotype of North American Evangelical Christians. And it is so sad because right now I see so many Christians on a daily basis who are still really really angry because of the election results. And if anybody speaks good or promising about the other side then judgement comes their way.
As Christians why are we getting so heated up about Politics.
People please listen to me: Politics won’t save us. Again Politics will not save us. Ever. We must take our political energy and invest that into the cross. The beautiful thing about the cross is that we don’t have to vote on it every 4 years. Jesus paid the price for our sins…forever. A free gift that we can take.
Now it is our job to invest our lives in that and telling people about that. Not screaming matches about the president.
With that said, I believe that this book is a great tool for youth to get to know the life story about their next president. I believe this is important for American youth. Whether you like him or not this is big for our history. And African American students should be proud, because this man has accomplished a lot for the African American community as well as for this nation. Whether you agree with him or not he is an American historical hero.
So thank you for this book. I trust the integrity of YS and have always felt that they do what is important, and that is looking to the cross.
Thanks Marko!
Maybe this will work…if not, I give up too.
Isn’t that the job of the school system?
Thanks for your thoughts and insights.
Rather than writing a book myself in reply I just wanted to let you know that I am proud of YS for its courage to print this book. I have trouble with Obama…BIG TIME! Does that mean that he is the antichrist or the next hitler.. probably not.
Through this all though I have seen that we are getting the president that we deserve… not the one we need!
McCain has his short comings as well. I wouldn’t want YS to publish a book about him either.
As a leader of your house or church it is your duty to discern truth. That includes questioning one’s faith as being genuine when they stand against the bible. It is black and white. There is no gray area.
I don’t hate Obama, and hope that he is able to do good. I will pray for him often, and will submit to his authority. This isn’t about a man fixing everything wrong in the world, or his race or color, or his platform or politics, its about a Christian publisher, publishing a book about a man who claims faith in Jesus, but that by his own actions and associations, has caused a lot Christians to be uneasy. It’s about a book that could potentially confuse new / weak believers. When it comes to his faith, I have trouble believing it is genuine, and I think people need to be careful associating Obama to the same Jesus that I follow because I sense discrepancy, and I believe that as a believer in Jesus and as a leader in my church and house, it is my job to discern this. I will never promote hate or anything even close to that for Obama, or anyone else that I feel doesn’t line up with the bible, but I will never say or teach that he is faithful to Jesus, simply because he says it, because I don’t believe that is what his actions show.
I appreciate Marko’s comments, but I am in the “disappointed in YM” category on this one.
I have always been loathe to question anyone’s self-declaration of Christianity – after all, only God knows our hearts.
However, as has been said, we have to look at the fruits. As others have stated, there are some troubling aspects to Black Liberation Theology. It is an undeniable fact that Obama fought for the rights of doctors to toss live, born babies in the trash. That demonstrates a lack of empathy and cold commitment to ideology that is quite chilling, to me. I also found it disconcerting when he responded to an interviewer’s question, “What is sin?” he said that it is anything that disagrees with his values.
One of the biggest issues that nobody has mentioned is the many unethical actions of Obama’s campaign. He has been untruthful and misleading about many aspects of his life, beliefs, associations and record. It has been demonstrated that his campaign has, most likely, accepted millions of dollars in illegal donations. There is much documentation of his surrogates’ cheating and use of intimidation tactics in the primaries and caucuses (see http://www.wewillnotbesilenced2008.com/), and his connection to ACORN and its fraudulent voter registration activities is also of concern to me. He refuses to produce evidence that he is constitutionally eligible to become president, despite numerous lawsuits. He has been closely linked to convicted criminals in Chicago. There is even compelling evidence that he uses hypnosis techniques in his speeches.
I’m sorry if people are offended, but this is not the version of Christianity I want to pass on to my youth group kids.
Marko – I’m not here to agree or disagree. I don’t have standing to tell you how to run your business. My vote is simply to buy or not to buy, but even that isn’t an accurate vote, since my vote right now is influenced by how little I have to spend on books.
I am here to say I admire you, in your success and in your mistakes, particularly in your mistakes. God bless you for your mistakes, and for a willingness to be honest with your failures, and open about your uncertainties.
That there are people who feel that they can judge you better than God can disgusts me. We need go no further than this discussion for an explanation of why the church is shrinking. The lack of humility, the ignorant righteous indignation, the ultimatums made truly make me cry.
And I pray that we worship a God of Grace and not one of Judgment, else a lot of us are going to be pretty shocked when God treats us in the end like we treat others.
I’ve been avoiding joining in the parade of comments here but some are outright harmful to believers AND non-believers. It really is no wonder that people hate Church.
If salvation and the approval to get into heaven were TRULY left up to us mortals, HEAVEN WOULD BE EMPTY.
dan,
Leave the judging, of salvation and “true” followers of ‘your Jesus’ up to the Creator of the universe. Which, as clarification, is NOT you.
LC,
“He has been closely linked to convicted criminals in Chicago. There is even compelling evidence that he uses hypnosis techniques in his speeches.”
I don’t remember any news of convicted criminals (plural). So I take it that you don’t read any of Paul’s letters in the bible, right? Because, omg, he use to KILL Christians! “Hypnosis”?? Seriously?
Good thing Jesus didn’t lead by example of your fear-mongering.
Where is the love and grace that this Jesus, we all follow, spoke so much about and acted out continuously?
I just read this comment thread.
It was a real rollercoaster.
I went from my eyes rollling so far back into my skull I could see my own insides to feeling like my head is going to explode.
Seriously.
If this is the kind of rancor and, frankly, idiocy that marks and fuels evangelical discourse, then I’m really happy I’m not one.
It also shouldn’t be a surprise that people are suspicious/fearful of you.
And, no, it’s not because you’re righteous and “the world” is hating you.
May the favor and blessing of God be on YS.
And may the deserved sense of churning turmoil in their critic’s stomachs be an invitation to learn a little something about their own “fruit”: patience, forbearance, kindness. Some things you might want to give a whirl instead of drinking deeply from the toilet of Christian Radio Orthodoxy.
Yikes!
Jen,
Again, It is my duty to discern and judge as a leader (not as Jesus).
I am narrow minded. The bible tells me that I will be as I hold firm to the truth of the Word. If people want to flame me because I want to stand for what I consider truth, than so be it, but I have studied Obama’s fruits for over a year, and not some conspiracy theory junk. The man does not have the fruits, and therefore is not someone we should point others to. That simply is the entire point, and YES, YES, YES, I am supposed to make and pass that judgement, as I discern from what I see, whether it is Obama, or a student in my youth group. As a clarification, that is not a judgement on him as a person. It is a judgement on do his words match his actions when it comes to Jesus.
I’m not deciding if Obama gets into heaven. I’m not saying that he is an awful guy. I’m deciding not to promote his “Christian” moral standard to my youth and family. That is my whole point.
dude, marko bro, never write a book about me. my life wouldnt withstand the scrutiny.
i dont think i could handle all the love in this place. i can feel it.
peace.
Just got this email…
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=315364
I mean no feelings of hate or ill, whatsoever, but fellow Christians need to be aware.
“hypnosis”?
hypnosis?!
Seriously?
Yeeeesh.
like the idea or hate it – what has been done cannot be undone here. maybe we should learn to support our new President Elect like the Bible says we should.
Here’s a post I wrote on it. The fact of the matter is we HAVE to submit to him now.
http://serialyouthpastor.com/2008/11/05/why-i-will-support-our-president/
Man, some of these posts make me think about why some people will never set foot in a church.
So, by “support our new President”, you must mean agree with everything he does and says and trust all his actions.
I ask because, I don’t see anyone here who is not “supporting” Mr. Obama. I see people not “agreeing” with him or his positions which, last I checked, we are free to do.
Read it today. My .02 = no matter where you stand politically, you will find excellent fodder for discussion with your students. They’re talking about him already; this provides an easy entry point for discussing his leadership and his background in a faith-based setting. My recommendation is to buy it.
oh my gosh…seriously.
for me the problem about this book is not the material that the book will contain. it’s the fact that it’s a pretty ‘bandwagon’ move to make. EVERYONE IS writing books or articles about Obama. MOST OF WHICH are Praising him almost to the point of worship. I just think it’s enough. I support youthspecialties and will continue to even if I disagree with stuff (like this). I just feel it was ultra trendy and I thought youth specialties was trying to get away from doing things the ultra trendy way…
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