What Does Political Corruption Look Like Through Biblical Eyes? Evangelist Priest Warns of Putting T
What Does Political Corruption Look Like Through Biblical Eyes? Evangelist Priest Warns of Putting Too Much Trust in the System
1/23/2009
Chicago, January 23, 2009 – Political corruption is nothing new. While the governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is gaining much media attention from allegedly attempting to sell the Senate seat left vacant by President Barack Obama, the phenomenon of political corruption goes back to biblical times.
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Political corruption is nothing new. While the governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is gaining much media attention from allegedly attempting to sell the Senate seat left vacant by President Barack Obama, the phenomenon of political corruption goes back to biblical times.
Father Robert Barron, Chicago theologian and evangelist, says Christians should look at the struggle for power with clear eyes. “We should be accustomed to this type of corruption because we have been formed in a biblical world-view,” says Barron. “The Bible is filled with examples of this type of power struggle from the story of King David and Bathsheba to Satan tempting Jesus in the desert. These stories tell us about the on-going struggle for power and the havoc this corruption can cause.”
In an article that ran in Saturday’s Chicago Sun-Times www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/1395002,CST-EDT-open24b.article, Father Barron offers insight and hope. “Scripturally minded people should not allow their suspicion to give way to a complete cynicism regarding politics. Since God is powerful, power in itself cannot be construed as something evil,” states Barron. “The United States is a nation ‘under God’ which means political figures—whether they accept it or not—are under a higher authority and they can’t do whatever they want.”
Father Barron emphasizes that when a political figure exercises his power legitimately, he is participating in God’s power. Biblical-minded people understand that because of sin, there is a strong tendency to use power to fall into corruption. “When our attitude toward elected officials becomes ‘messiah-like’ our society is on a short road to disaster,” says Barron.
See Father Barron’s video comments on corruption here: www.wordonfire.org/videoPlayer_yt.aspx#yt_video
Father Barron is available for interviews. Please contact Christine Schicker with The Maximus Group at 404-610-8871. You can watch other video commentary from Father Barron at www.WordonFire.org.
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