We started a new class today on the “Minor” prophets. Namely Hosea, Joel Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. However, the first thing talked about today were the words of the old preacher that gave the controversial benediction at President Obama’s Inauguration, Rev. Joseph Lowery.

I remember watching the benediction and comparing it to the uplifting words of Rick Warren who gave the invocation at the Inaugural. And I remember thinking to myself that it seemed a bit out of place at times promoting class-envy and even tried to keep the idea of racism alive.

I also remember watching some of the “pundits” that night, some of which I really admire. Some that have in the past promoted Christianity or claimed to be Christian, etc, and are white. They fanned the small flame caused by this pastor and tried to create a large fire out of it. There are a number of blogs quoting line by line the “outrageous” words of this man. But they left out one important fact. the majority of them weren’t even his.

I learned something today that was not once mentioned in the onlslaught of criticism over Lowery’s “views of the world.” Much of what he said came straight out of the Old Testament. Specifically, Amos, Isaiah, Hosea, Habakkuk, Zechariah and Micah. Their words were peppered throughout his benediction.

“And while we have sown the seeds of greed – the wind of greed and corruption and even as we reap the whirlwind of social and economic disruption, we seek forgiveness…” Rev. Joseph Lowery

“They sow the wind, and so they will reap the whirlwind! The stalk does not have any standing grain; it will not produce any flour…” Hosea 8:7

Or,

“Help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid.” Rev. Joseph Lowery

“He will arbitrate between many peoples and settle disputes between many nations. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into burning hooks. Nations will not use weapons against other nations and they will no longer train for war. Each will sit under his own grapevine or under his own fig tree without any fear.” Micah 4:3-4

And the most controversial sayings, “….and when white will embrace what is right,” came from an old song from 1951, in the heart of the Civil Rights struggle, “Get back (Black, Brown and White)” from an old jazz singer by the name of Big Bill Broonzy. I think he was reminding us just how far we’ve come.

I’m not saying that there weren’t any political overtones in his prayer, (he’s known for being controversial) but I do say, some of us used the wrong filter and completely missed the message. Lowery was and old Civil Rights leader who saw culmination of his hard work, as well as countless others, finally pay off on Inauguration Day. He is an Old Testament scholar who likes to interject scripture anywhere he can to show its timeless nature. And he is a proud African-American who enjoys the wonderful sounds that have come out of severe hardships.

We may not be on the same political page or are even able to see the world through the same set of lenses. And I’m sure I will disagree with his words in the future, but as for today, kudos, job well done.

We Christians sometimes do a horrible job of practicing what we preach. One of the biggest calls we have is to not judge others. Yet that is exactly what we do. And an many cases, such as this, we judge without even taking into consideration the context. We just assume we already know everything there is to know. Our own worst enemy is too often ourselves.