So, what do we do with Jeremiah Wright? He has made some incredibly hurtful and judgmental statements in his sermons, and now, in press interviews and press conferences. When anyone asks him to document his sources for the outrageous claims that he makes, he natters on about books, and context, and black liberation theology as a whole. His tactic of becoming dismissive to anyone who questions the logic of his statements shows he isn’t an apologist for his faith.

                One of the most outrageous claims he has made so far came just today at the National Press Club in Washington. He said those who questioned his outrageous statements, or who took issue with his interpretation of Scripture and worldview were not attacking him, but they were attacking the black church community as a whole.

                I think that, by far is the most outrageous statement he has made to date. To claim that he is the spokesperson for every black congregation in America, and that his interpretation of history and theology is the only correct one for the black faith community is audacity at its finest.

                I have grown up in the faith community and have many black brothers and sisters in Christ, I have worked with congregations that are predominantly African-American and in each and every case, they were nowhere near the liberal, racist belief system of Jeremiah Wright or black liberation theology.

                He seems to be relishing the attention he is receiving in his retirement, and obviously enjoys being combative with the press and dismissive of his critics. He even mentioned he has a book coming out later this year….

                So is that what this is all about? Is he garnering controversy so his book will be sold to everyone who really wants to understand what is in this man’s strange mind? Well, I guess retiring to a ten-million dollar mansion seems just a little boring after a lifetime of being outrageous in front of a crowd of boisterous supporters in church several times a week.

                As a pastor, I know the incredible temptation to make it about me. What I mean to say is, when people criticize the message, the messenger feels stung. I so identify with the God that I serve, and the message He has put on my heart, that a rejection of that message feels like a rejection of me.

                I also know that when I make foolish decisions and mis-represent what God has said in His word, that I deserve to be criticized. There is a distinction between my mistakes and failures that people see and a legitimate difference in core beliefs. One you can blame me for, and the other, you can take issue with my entire faith system.

                So after the sideshow this morning at the NPC, the only conclusion I can come to is that it is all about Jeremiah Wright and his opinions. If you question him you are a racist, if you debate his logic, you are attacking the black church in America, if you disagree with his politics you are a part of the oppressive regime that keeps the black community in poverty and keeps them from becoming successful. (Did I mention his ten-million dollar retirement mansion? Looks like George Jefferson isn’t the only one ‘movin on up.’)

                By trying to use the cover of God and the black American church community, he wants to be portrayed as a figurehead, the defender of the faith, willing to take on and slay the dragon of government oppression, oh, and white rich men oppression, oh, and American racist society oppression. The problem is, that Jeremiah Wright is a bitter, liberal racist who is using religion to peddle his socialism.

                The moral of the story: The Audacity of Audacity is……well, Audacious.