The title is what caught my attention. "The Gospel According to Apostle Barack" by Barbara A. Thompson. I thought, could someone really go there? Apparently so. Nonetheless, I didn't want to misjudge the book, so I read the Amazon description. I reproduce it here:
Yes, Barack had worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people, especially those who elected him in 2008. His followers needed to re-elect him to a second term, so that he could continue to accomplish the promises he made, thus, realizing his vision of America as a more perfect political union or "heaven here on earth" Then, as I began to contemplate ways to assist Barack in his 2012 re-election bid something miraculous happened. I felt God's (His) Spirit beckoning me in my dreams at night. Listening, cautiously, I learned that Jesus walked the earth to create a more civilized society, Martin (Luther King) walked the earth to create a more justified society, but, Apostle Barack, the name he was called in my dreams, would walk the earth to create a more equalized society, for the middle class and working poor. Apostle Barack, the next young leader with a new cause, had been taken to the mountaintop and allowed to see over the other side. He had the answers to unlock the kingdom of "heaven here on earth" for his followers. The answers were repeated - over and over - in speeches Barack had made from his presidential announcement to his inaugural address. Those speeches or his teachings contained the answers to the middle class and working poor people living in a "heaven here on earth" For when the answers were unlocked and enacted, Apostle Barack's vision of America would be realized.
Reading this really made me wonder about who the author really thinks Barack Obama is? Creating heaven on Earth, his followers, his vision, his teachings? Just who does she really think he is? That she attributes this to a dream from God is interesting as well.
Just to be clear, if this woman wants to worship the President of the United States, she is free to do so. She is even free to write a book about it. I am also free to criticize her for it. I read a few excerpts from this book, which is mostly made up of excerpts from Obama's speeches. I continued to feel that she was presenting a human being as if he were worthy of worship.
Now, you can make up your own minds about these things, but for us all to be clear. The definition of gospel is generally used in talking about the "gospel message" of Christ or one of the four "gospels" of the New Testament. However, there is a third definition as well. It is that "something [is] accepted or promoted as infallible truth or as a guiding principle or doctrine". Okay, so for the words of the President to qualify as "gospel", they must be infallible truth. Ummm...he is a politician and so few of his words fall into the "truth" category, in my opinion. Additionally, even if you overlook that reality, how many of his truths are "infallible". So, his words are NOT gospel.
Perhaps then he can be called an Apostle? There are many definitions of what constitutes an apostle.
- one sent on a mission
- one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the
gospel and made up especially of Christ's 12 original disciples and Paul
the first prominent Christian missionary to a region or group
- a person who initiates a great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or system
- an ardent supporter
- the highest ecclesiastical official in some church organizations one of a Mormon administrative council of 12 men
By definition, an apostle of God is a messenger of God - even Jesus Christ is referred to in this way:
"Therefore, holy brethren, who share in a heavenly call, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. He [see The Logos] was faithful to Him [see The Father] Who appointed Him." (Hebrews 3:1-2 RSV) "Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." (John 20:21 RSV)The term apostle is however best known from the twelve apostles, who were sometimes recognized by more than one name. For that reason, The Bible record does list them with a slight variation:
"The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter [see also Did Peter Have The Primacy?], and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him." (Matthew 10:2-4 RSV) "And He appointed twelve, to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons: Simon whom He surnamed Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, whom he surnamed Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him." (Mark 3:14-19 RSV)To replace the traitor Judas Iscariot (see Why Did He Do It?), another man, Matthias, who had also witnessed everything, was chosen:
"And when it was day, He called His disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom He named apostles; Simon, whom He named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." (Luke 6:13-16 RSV)
"Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet [see The Mount Of Olives], which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away; and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James." (Acts 1:12-13 RSV)
"So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when He was taken up from us - one of these men must become with us a witness to His resurrection." And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "Lord, Who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two Thou hast chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles." (Acts 1:21-26 RSV)Christ's immediate purpose for His twelve apostles can be summed up in what some call the "Great Commission":
"And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of The Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 RSV) "So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22 RSV)Others were also designated as apostles, according to God's purpose:
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God." (Romans 1:1 RSV) "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, "Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them." (Acts 14:14 RSV)
"Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners; they are men of note among the apostles, and they were in Christ before me." (Romans 16:7 RSV)
"Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles." (1 Corinthians 15:7 RSV)
What Were The Proofs Of A True Apostle Of God? Many others have claimed to be an apostle during and since the time of the New Testament, even including some in our present time. Are they really apostles of God? Well, perhaps one way to begin to find out is to see how many of these Biblical precedents of a true apostle they have met:
- They have seen The Lord: "one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us" (Acts 1:21 RSV)
"Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?" (1 Corinthians 9:1 RSV)
- They were called directly by Jesus Christ: "And when it was day, He called His disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom He named apostles" (Luke 6:13 RSV)
"Paul an apostle - not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father." (Galatians 1:1 RSV)
- They have the Holy Spirit of God: "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom The Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26 RSV)
"So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit. The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:11-14 RSV)
- They respect and teach The Word of God, not their own philosophy: "And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." (1 Thessalonians 2:13 RSV)
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4 RSV)
"First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." (2 Peter 1:20-21 RSV)
- They have done miracles: "And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it." (Mark 16:20 RSV)
"Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles." (Acts 5:12 RSV)
"The signs of a true apostle were performed among you in all patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works." (2 Corinthians 12:12 RSV)
So, NOT an apostle either since there is no evidence or claim on the part of the President that he has seen God or that he was called on his mission by Christ himself. Additionally, I don't recall him performing any miracles, but maybe I missed it. At any rate, the other two criteria are between him and God and not for me to judge.
Now, I obviously do not believe the President to be an apostle, nor do I think he claims to be one. I do not blame the President for this characterization at all. This is entirely the work of the author and I have serious reservations about their "perspective" of reality based on their own words. At any rate, I was disturbed by this book, not excited for the future as I believe the author intends.
