discuss: christian inaugural prayers
In case you missed it, we have a new President. In the events leading up to the Inauguration, there were a lot of people up in arms about the various choices of pastors that Pres. Obama had made for the opening and closing prayers.
How did it turn out? Discern for yourself!
The first is Gene Robinson, who is an openly gay, non-celibate priest in the Episcopal Church. (Click here for a written transcript)
The second prayer was given at the actual Inauguration event by Rick Warren. He’s the author of “The Purpose-Driven Life,” and he pastors a megachurch in California. (Click here for a written transcript)
Finally, the closing prayer was given by Joesph Lowery, a United Methodist Minister who played a big role in the civil rights movement. (Click here for a written transcript)
So, ZA readers, what do you think of these prayers? Was Christianity well-represented at the Inaugural? If so or if not, then why?
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I didn’t relate very well with the first one when he said “God of our many understandings. . . ” What does that mean? The God of all religions? Does he believe in the one true God, Father of Jesus Christ?
I think Christians were well represented. I enjoyed it!
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 pm
It’s interesting to follow the media. The mainstream media at large loved the first, didn’t like the second, and seemed pretty okay with the third.
Most Christians at large are pretty upset with the first one. The “God of many understandings” follows the line of thinking that we all worship the same God, so plenty of people believe that this god that be prayed to is no god at all.
I’ll actually stick up for Rick Warren here. He used language that alluded to Judaism (Hear, O Israel, the Lord is one…) and Islam (Compassionate and merciful God) while never straying from the name of Jesus. The fact that he said Jesus in Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, and English shows that he’s willing to acknowledge diversity in this country, but he’ll still say he’s doing what he’s doing in the name of Jesus.
The prayer by Rev. Lowery was pretty good too…everyone was up in arms about what he said at the end, but I don’t really think that was racist to say. I just didn’t like this line: “Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will.” Certainly not as blatant as the “god of many understandings,” but I really regret that he didn’t stop at ‘churches.’