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Imagery has an important place in culture, from Bible verses to political rallies, the imagery of a situation can make or break it.
After President Biden’s speech on Thursday, Sept. 1, commentators on both sides of the aisle are criticizing the president for the choice of background and his divisive speech.
While campaigning before the 2020 election, then-candidate Biden tweeted, “We need a president who chooses unity over division.” Most Americans would agree with that statement, yet the president’s speech attacked half of America.
“MAGA Republicans do not respect the constitution,” he said. “They do not believe in the rule of law, they do not believe in the rule of law, they do not recognize the will of the people.”
“MAGA forces are determined to take this country backwards,” he added. “Backwards to an America where there is no right to choose. No right to privacy. No right to contraception. No right to marry who you love. They promote authoritarian leaders and they fan the flames of political violence.”
The dark, red imagery was made even more dystopian with the placement of two Marines stationed in the background. While other presidents have done this in the past, the imagery of it was unsettling to many. This action brought even more criticism upon the president, as the military is supposed to be apolitical.
Even CNN’s Brianna Keilar tweeted criticism of the decision to use military forces in a political speech:
Whatever you think of this speech the military is supposed to be apolitical. Positioning Marines in uniform behind President Biden for a political speech flies in the face of that. It’s wrong when Democrats do it. It’s wrong when Republicans do it.
— Brianna Keilar (@brikeilarcnn) September 2, 2022
President Biden was right about one thing in his speech, there is a fight going on for the soul of America, and it is not the fight between political parties. There is a spiritual battle going on, a fight against the cross and all that God represents is being waged by Satan and his followers.
Political commentators on the right took a spiritual approach to the speech and setting, with conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey calling the president a “Satanic ghoul,” and others describing the set as “hellish.”
Satanic ghoul pic.twitter.com/ekhmIsNWJR
— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) September 2, 2022
The Bible says in Ephesians 4:29 to “Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building up, that it may give grace to the listeners.”
There was no grace or building up in the president’s speech last night. There was division, animosity, untruths and veiled threats. This revelation of what is in the leadership of this countries heart demands Christians pray for that leadership.
First Timothy 2:1-4 has the apostle Paul exhorting all that read and hear his letter to pray for the leaders of countries so that they may lead with righteousness.
This speech that brought division can be used as a rallying cry for Christians to join together across the country and pray for the restoration, salvation and renewal of the leadership of America. {eoa}
James Lasher is a Copy Editor for Charisma Media.
