Concord Church Promotes “Hope” at Easter Time
April 2, 2009 by Patrick
Filed under News & Politics
The 2008 presidential primary is ancient history and even Granite Staters aren’t thinking about the 2012 primary yet. But Central New Hampshire motorists are seeing a familiar image on the roadside; one that might remind them of a certain former-Senator from Illinois who went on to become President of the United States.
But take a second look. That’s not President Barack Obama on those lawn signs. It’s Jesus!
Grace Capitol Church in Concord is promoting its Easter service with posters of Jesus’ face above the work “HOPE.” The image of Jesus is made to look like the now iconic Obama image created by Shepard Fairey.
According to Pastor Peter Bananno from Grace Capitol, the image represents a modern day parable, not a political statement. “Jesus used images that were familiar,” Bananno told NowHampshire.com. “When He told the parable of the shepherd leaving the flock of ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep, the culture knew exactly what He was talking about. In a way, this little sign is a parable.”
Bananno said the image is intended to be neither a slight nor a tribute to the president.
“We’re not saying Obama is not bringing hope. We’re simply saying that ultimately there is no hope other than the hope Jesus delivers. And if there is ever a time for hope it’s Easter.” he said.
Bananno told NowHampshire.com that even though Grace Capitol Church is a traditional church doctrinally, they commonly seek ways to remain culturally relevant.
Picture courtesy of Monday Morning Clacker.
THE BEST RAPTURE LOCATER
Guess what. If you can figure out when the “sudden destruction” of wicked persons takes place in I Thess. 5:3, and when “death” is ended in I Cor. 15:54, you will know where to place the rapture on your prophecy chart because those passages talk about the “times and seasons” (and the “when” and “then” ) of the rapture! Neat, huh?
FOR PRETRIB RAPTURE REPEATERS
Congratulations! You are now fulfilling the Bible which says “Come now, and let us repeat together.”
Be sure to repeat what Walvoord, Lindsey, LaHaye, Ice etc. repeat what their own teachers repeat what their own teachers repeat etc. etc. etc.!
Repeat that Christ’s return is imminent because we’re told to “watch” (Matt. 24, 25) for it. So is the “day of God” (II Pet. 3:12) – which you admit is at least 1000 years ahead – also imminent because we’re told to be “looking for” it?
Also repeat the pretrib myths about the “Jewish wedding stages” and “Jewish feasts” (where’s your “church/Israel dichotomy” now?) even though Christ and Paul knew nothing about a “pretrib stage” and neither did any official theological creed or organized church before 1830!
You should read “Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty” on the “Powered by Christ Ministries” site to find out why you shouldn’t repeat everything your pretrib teachers repeat.
Do I have to repeat this?
Please remember one thing everyone..what Satan has used for bad God will in turn use for greatness!!!!!Just like this picture!!!Rejoice in the creativity of a church who is mindful of the forefront..Hope in Jesus..Amen
Stop putting God in a box remember who died for you and I. Its not about our feelings . Its about humbly serving and glorifying his kingdom.Jesus said ” Deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow him”…We must stop this finger pointing sisters and brothers..When they arrested Jesus did he stand there and defend himself NO!!! Our ways are not his..FAITH is a must …God Bless All
Remember HE IS RISEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To Kevin Twombly:
We clearly have a difference of opinion on this issue, however, I don’t think it is fair for you to call that “back-biting”. I attend a church that most people would call “radical”, and work with our youth group that most would call “very radical” I believe in being radical for Christ and have no problem using extreme ideas in reaching out to our communities. However, surely even you can’t deny the obvious connection this picture has with Obama, and knowing where he stands on many issues, I can not bring myself to tolerate the image of my Saviour portrayed in this manner with the obvious connection most will take away from it. But hey, that’s just me.
There is only ONE JESUS! He gave his life for ours. Obama is NOT, NEVER WILL be anything close to Jesus! He has not been to church since he became President. No church should make an image imitating the likeness of Jesus that we come to accept. Period!!
I am not Christian, but think that the mainstream treatment of Obama is sickening. Comparing him to a person of Jesus’s stature just goes to show the inept media at it’s best. At best Obama if we were really going to compare the two men, my only analogy that comes to mind is that and bear with me now. If Jesus were a pair of boxer shorts Obama would be the skidmark on the back side!!!!
I do not agree with the poster. I do not agree with OUR President. However he is our leader, and the heart of a king is in the hand of the Lord. We need to pray to God for Obama’s salvation.
No man, no poster, and no policy can change this nation. My God is big enough to supply change that all can truely beleive in.
To Cameron great come back
Well here we go again, “Obama is Christ”? He is the furthest thing from Christ like. If this ‘church’ claims him to be savaior, run like h—. Stop your tithes to this devil worshipping church. Obama is NOT Christ. He is presidnet of the U.S and nothing else. Is he the right choice?, doubtfull to that. Was McCain, doubtful on that too. We did not have any one appesling to vote for in this election but hopefully in the future we have a president who does not denie “CHRISTIANITY”. Hope he is full of the spirit and the others who are not to keep praying for HIS return and the rapture to come. Be PREPARED it is COMING.
when did the separation of church and state leave? and how on earth does pres obama have a snowball’s chance in comparison to Jesus? this is just fueling the fire that will consume everything if it is not put out!!
i think this sign is appropraite because obama is the second comming, right? is anyone really that suprised, look what has happened to christmas. anyway have fun decapitating your chocolate bunnies this sunday.
How despicable..I don’t recall ever seeing President Bush “lifted up” as the messiah and am sure there would be outrage and many jokes about that,as it should be ,for anyone replacing Christs image with that of a mere man.Non believers and maybe even other people of faith can mock so-called “conspiracy theries”,but I see clearly in the very short time obamas been President, the dangerous “change,transformatiom” he has, and intends to take our country.What is taking place now,is fortold in Gods word,and the enemy is real and behind all of it..laugh if you will.God will not be mocked.Obama will stand accountable.
i did not leave a previous comment. wrong person. i say it is also blasphemy.