Martin Luther and the Inauguration
January 20, 2009 2 Comments
On this historic day (as is every other day that transpires), I think that words from a man who undoubtedly altered the course of Western civilization are appropriate.
No, I do not refer to our current president, Barack Obama, but rather to a foul-mouthed, hard-headed, recovering monk, one Martin Luther (1483-1546, below).
It can be safely said that Luther can be grouped with Paul in the category of men “who have upset the world.”
Luther’s commentary of Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a classic which I am currently reading and enjoying immensely. Not coincidentally, I read these words today:
In matters of politics, God wishes us to honor and respect those outward veils or persons as His instruments by whom He governs and preserves the world.
But when the question concerns religion, conscience, the fear of God, faith, and the service of God, we must not fear these outward persons; we must not put our trust in them or look for comfort from them or hope for deliverance from them, either physically or spiritually.
I should neither fear nor trust the judge but God alone, who is the true judge.
Yes, as followers of Christ we are commanded to pray for our leaders, but this in no way gives us leeway to descend into a mindless and idolatrous treatment of our political leaders.
Exhibit A comes from someone who commented on today’s events as described in a story from the Daily Mail,
Today’s momentous occasion is a time for celebration for all world citizens. It perhaps marks the rights of passage into a more tolerant and mature phase in humanity and highlights further evolution of our species into a less barbaric and hopefully more egalitarian society.
Exhibit B can be seen in stories like this one.
So, pray and pray hard for President Obama (see Dr. Mohler’s prayer), but let us not fool ourselves into thinking that perhaps today’s inauguration wasn’t complete because of the absence of a donkey, her colt, palm branches and the crowds laying down their coats before the presidential limo.