Barack Obama and the Church of Constantine

Grace and peace to the fruitful trees of the Lord, and greetings to the withering branches of the world.

People have been speculating for years about the religious orientation of our President, Barack Obama.  The President’s father is said to have been a Muslim, and, because many believe that as the nationality of a child is based on that of the father rather than that of the mother, Barack Obama is considered by many to be a Muslim.

As Christians, we are admonished by the Apostle Paul to watch in all things.  But we must also be careful not to get involved in arguments that are not edifying or fruitful.  The goal of any discussion in which we become involved should be:

1.     To come to a knowledge of the Truth, that God may be glorified in Christ Jesus, who is the Truth.

 2.     To bring someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

 3.     To separate Truth from error.

 4.     To edify the Body of Christ.

The question of whether President Obama is a Muslim does not necessarily accomplish any of these objectives.  So Christians should avoid discussions of this nature.

Moreover, the Bible commands us to honor and respect those in government, especially our leaders, for “The powers that be are of God.”  Regardless of his religion, we should still render due reverence to our President and Commander and Chief.

HOWEVER…(“And there’s always a however in life…”–Frank O. Pinion), President Obama claims to be a Christian, and, at one time, he even attended a “Christian” church.  In that we are commanded to judge the fruit that a tree produces, it is not disrespectful or irreverent to examine this claim of the President’s through the lens of the Holy Spirit.

We are in a war, Saints, and the Bible teaches us that we war not against flesh and blood, but against “spiritual wickedness in high places.”  The office of President of the United States is one of the highest places in the world.  And we would do well to remember this.

Below is a hand from a monumental statue of the Roman Emperor Constantine, located at the Museo Capitolino in Rome.  It is commonly referred to as the Hand or Finger of Constantine. 

The Hand of Constantine also appears in advertising:

Emperor Constantine is considered by many as the greatest of the Roman Caesars.  He is also the founder of the Roman Catholic church. 

Back when Christianity was in its infancy, the Roman Caesars ruthlessly persecuted the primitive Church.  Christians were slaughtered in the Roman circus called the Coliseum in a variety of cruel, barbaric means.  They were crucified, burned at the stake, covered with animal skins and torn to pieces by wild animals, fed to the lions, forced to fight for their lives against professional gladiators, and, in other ways, tortured and martyred.

But something unforeseen happened: the more that Christians were persecuted, the stronger they became.  For every Christian that perished, “one hundred sprang up to take his place.”  It is said that the Christians literally “turned the world upside down” with the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Emperor Constantine knew that his power was based on the fear and respect of the people, as, in those days, Caesars were thought to be gods.  The Christians, in rejecting the Roman system of idolatry, were defying the might of Caesar.  Constantine had a dilemma.

Then Satan gave Constantine a brilliant idea.  Constantine declared that he was a Christian, after having seen a vision of a cross in the sky.  The problem, however, was that he hadn’t seen the Christian cross.  The cross he claimed to have seen is said to have looked like this one:

 

This is what is known as the Chi Rho, and it is an emblem of the Roman Catholic church. 

Because Constantine continued to worship the sun, which he called “Sol Invictus” (the Unconquerable Sun), it is doubtful that he truly ever accepted the Lord Jesus as his Savior.  But, no matter: after Constantine’s “conversion,” he proclaimed that Christianity was now the official religion of the Roman Empire.  Constantine’s version of Christianity was not biblical, however.  It was Roman Catholicism: an unholy blend of paganism and pantheism with a smidgeon of Christianity to give it “a form of righteousness.”

Constantine’s religion lives on today.  In fact, largely due to the favor it receives in the media, Roman Catholicism is more popular today than the religion it claims to be, as is it’s head, the Roman Catholic pope, who is more loved in the world than the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom he pays lip service.

The Bible says that one day very soon, all the world will worship the Roman Catholic pope.  That especially includes heads of state, which should come as no surprise to us, as former President, George W. Bush said that when he looked into Pope John Paul II’s eyes, he saw “God.”

Before we continue, here is the Hand of Constantine again from another angle: 

Note the way the thumb is held.  Now note the way the President points in this series of photographs.  As you will see, he is not pointing in the manner most people point: with the thumb folded over the middle finger, but with his thumb somewhat extended—like the Finger of Constantine.

Coincidence?  You be the judge.

Be encouraged and look up, for your redemption draweth nigh.

The Still Man