Chris Cole FRSA

Is man the best hope for Mankind?

Today, in the midst of global economic crisis (or 'dangerous opportunity' as the Chinese say), America seems ready to offer its strength and abilities to the world in finding solutions to desperate situations.

But can any country or political leader really provide the solution to the problems faced by humanity? To put all our hope in the abilities of mankind, even the very best of mankind, whilst ignoring the Creator who made us and gave us those abilities, would be a fatal error.

About 1.5 million men and women gathered on the Mall in Washington, to personally attend the Inauguration ceremony of President Barack Obama. That is more than any President has ever attracted. That is 70 times the number that would fill Home Park (Now that would be a crowd to see!).

Undoubtedly, the vast majority of those people were supporters. What were they hoping to see? Why did they come? Can you imagine us Brits ever doing the same for a new PM?

American culture is a lot more positive and less cynical than our own, and does not 'knock' success, but rather encourages it and applauds it. But it was more than a healthy respect for their new President that brought out the millions on a cold January day. They seem to have placed a lot of personal hope in this man's ability to bring out the best of American values to face the current crises.

President Obama referred to the motives of the founding fathers of America - "Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expediency's sake." Those ideals were rooted in the values of the Christian faith, and President Obama stated that America would go forwards 'under the grace of God'. Encouraging words from such an influential man.

Barack Obama has inspired the people of America, and that can be a good thing in tough times. But has it all gone too far? T-shirts on sale included one that showed the new President under the almost biblical declaration: "And he shall be called Barack Obama."

Biblically speaking, the ultimate hope for mankind is found in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who humbled himself to share in our brokenness and demonstrate the power of love through his life, death and resurrection, making a way for us to have a loving relationship with His Father God and to live that out with our fellow human beings.

Jesus Christ has inspired more civil rights leaders and social reform movements than any other person in history, (people like Dr Martin Luther King Jr, and William Wilberforce who both fought racial oppression); the values of the Christian faith are embedded in the foundations of our Western democracies and our legal and social welfare systems.

The Bible declares that Jesus is more than just a man, He is the Son of God, and this lifts him far above human goodness and gives us a secure basis for putting all our hope in Him when all our human efforts are shown up as inadequate in the face of some of life's toughest trials.

According to the Bible, Jesus is the Saviour of the world, not Barack Obama.

The Good Book tells us to pray for our leaders, and in today's global village we in Plymouth need to pray for President Obama. He is, after all, just a man, and like the rest of us he needs all the help, wisdom, compassion and courage that God can give him.

This article was originally published in the Plymouth Shopper, a group of 7 localised community newspapers produced by Cornerstone Vision, reaching 62,000 homes every month in Plymouth. Each edition carries positive news stories and features, and provides local businesses, community groups and organisations with a very localised media platform to reach their own area.