Written by Biola professor Dave Peters

The election of Barack Obama to be the first black president of the United States is as historic as our country’s early practice of slavery. Even though, as Colin Powell reminded us after the results were announced, Obama has not put himself forward as an African American, but instead, as an American who happens to be African. Your children will read about this election in their history books.

The election itself is a measure of the change we are experiencing both at home and around the world. With the largest turnout in over 100 years of American electoral history, the commentators are repeating their mantra: We are living in a transformational time. This may well prove to be accurate. The color barrier for our nation’s highest office has been broken. The vast voter turnout demonstrated the deep involvement of you young adults and our nation’s minorities. People are deeply dismayed over the economic plunge. We are at war.

The election of Barack Obama is a boon to American stock around the world. Early statements from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel reflect excitement over the results of our election. It counters a growing impression that America acts unilaterally and independently. In his acceptance speech, President-elect Obama offered hope that our country will once again use its influence for world peace and compassion for “all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces and those huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world.” He is mindful of the world’s vast needy population, whose majority is so less privileged than we are.

The citizens of our nation have democratically hired the man they believe can do the better job of leading America. In this election, Biolans, along with many other evangelicals, voted along traditional conservative lines rather than for Obama and Biden. However, at Biola and across the nation, young evangelicals have become more involved, not only in the electoral process, but in the support of Democratic candidates in the name of social justice. (Scripture is adamant about our responsibility to provide this.) What is emerging is the truth that many Democrats are working to oppose abortion, same sex marriage and the slide of morality in general. Could it be that the Republican Party may be speaking less and less for communities like ours? Could it be that we are seeing an end to apathy among young evangelicals? Obama’s victory belongs to all Americans. That includes us.

God has not revealed to us in his Word what form of government he prefers for us – monarchy, theocracy, plutocracy, autocracy or democracy. Our directive is to bring him honor, to direct mankind’s attention to him by everything we are and all we do. God has allowed this bright, articulate, compassionate young man, Barack Obama, to be our president. Pray for him. He will need God’s wisdom and discernment. He and his family need God’s protection. Will we please our generous God by exercising our role in the democratic process with which he has blessed our country?