We have just witnessed history. It wasn't until 1870 that a black man was even permitted to vote. Is it possible we have finally arrived in what history may refer to as the post-race age in America? Could we as a nation have turned a corner where race will no longer divide us? I am so thankful I am alive in a day when I can see an African-American elected to the highest office in the land. This could prove to be the massive change agent that launches our nation into an era of genuine color blindness where a man is judged not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character to quote Dr. Martin Luther King. I wish I could have joined history and voted for Obama, but my conscience would not permit me to do so. Since it is God who ultimately decides who will govern, I plan to support him as our president insofar as scripture will permit me to do so. I plan to pray for him, especially since he professes Christ as his Savior. Yet, I plan to preach against his positions if they violate the Word of God. I will continue to defend the right to life of babies in the womb, no matter what the cost.. I have done this for forty years and I do not plan to stop now. Mr. Obama should stand the same scrutiny of any past president. I have a small circle of influence. As one tiny light in God's massive lighthouse it is my responsibility to shine brightly the truth of the Gospel. Our new president received a 55% vote. There are still 45% of the American people who disagree with his agenda. There is still much that divides us. He promised many things, especially change. But not all change is good for the country. President Elect Obama is unapologetic about his agenda.

In this past election early statistics show that roughly 30% of people who identify themselves as Evangelical Christians voted for Obama. I respect their right to do so. That is what makes America great - we make regime changes by the ballot box and not with guns and bombs. However, there are some changes he plans to make that any Bible believing Christian should never support. For example, he will deal a generational death blow to any hopes of overturning Roe v. Wade by appointing "legislative judges" to the Supreme Court. His support for a host of other liberal causes troubles me. I envision greater openness to gay marriages in an Obama presidency. Gay rights organizations are celebrating with the strong confidence that the new president will make their agenda a top priority. I also am certain there will be a greater effort to socialize our government. We may not become full scale socialists but we will be close given what he promised to do in the campaign. Socialism is the front door to Marxism. Given Obama's past close associations with Marxist leaning advisors such as Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers, I do fear we are dangerously close to an ideological shift toward the socialism that has taken place in parts of Europe and Canada.

However, I believe more in a sovereign God who can be trusted. He is the blessed controller of all things and He will have the last say.

There are many things about Obama I admire. He is the most gifted communicator since Reagan; in fact, he tops Reagan as one who can inspire hope. And, do we ever need hope. But we must also be careful of great orators and go behind the great communication skills to understand exactly what the orator is saying. Having said that, I was weepy when he accepted his election. No matter what your political leaning, it was and is truly a great day in our history for obvious reasons. That should never be diminished. He has proven (I hope once and for all) the notion that a man's race should never inhibit his desire and ambition to succeed. This is not to say that we have ended racism in this country. That is likely something that will sadly always be with us. But the election of Obama has served as the impetus for a post-race era in America, something every Christian should pray for.

It is our task as believers to give President Elect Obama every benefit of the doubt. We should pray he leads wisely. We should reject all extremist views that make him the devil in disguise. He is not. He is a man whom we should believe when he says he loves the Lord Jesus Christ. If it proves other wise that is on him and he will answer to a holy God if he is untruthful. I have known many black liberation theology men with whom I have argued heatedly. But there never was a doubt, at least with my friends, that they knew the Lord Jesus regardless of how misguided was their theology. Thus, we must pray for our president, love him, support him, and encourage him. I have received emails asking me if Obama is the anti-Christ, if Obama is a communist, if Obama is a racist, if Obama is a terrorist, and if Obama is an anarchist. No, no, no, no, and no are my answers. It is my conclusion that he is a good man with some very bad ideas. We should pray that God changes his mind on those ideas and that godly men become his advisors. Short of that, I have no fear since my God is complete control.

As we watch some of President Elect Obama's worldview begin to take root and transform our culture in ways that threaten our foundational heritage, it is critical that we teach our children to hold to a Judeo-Christian world-view. This makes my new upcoming book even more critical given the fact that our world-view is in a minority. Teaching Them Young - the Treasures of the Proverbs is a must read for you if you are a parent. We must teach our kids how to think, how to be wise, how to live redemptively in a fallen world. This book will be a valuable and timeless resource for you. Visit www.teachingthemyoung.com or my Teaching Them Young fan group on FaceBook to pre-order your copy now. If ever there was a time to relearn the great treasures of the Proverbs it is now.

In His Grip,
Dr. Chuck Betters