Necessary Roughness

Yes, Senator Obama has already-but-not-really apologized for this remark, but let’s run it anyway. From the Huffington Post via Politico:

And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.

It doesn’t seem unreasonable to connect this attitude with what was being said out of Rev. Wright or his replacement’s pulpit. When the pulpit is devoid of Christ (much less Christ crucified) and instead pronounces judgment on nations or presidential candidates, when all a congregation has to offer is racial solidarity and some outwardly good deeds, it’s no wonder that the church is seen as just a crutch for angry people in bad times. No wonder Oprah left.

The church is much more than a crutch. It is the morgue (thank you, Pr. Lehmann) where your sins are called out, buried, and forgiven. It is where your baptism seals you to the promises of God. It is where his true body and blood strengthens you to life everlasting, as the rubric says. It is not just needed in bad times, but in all times.

Even (especially?) when (if?) Obama is in the White House.