It is not unusual for the anti-war and pacifist types to try to claim the Bible, especially the teachings of Jesus Christ, support and back them in their viewpoint. An example of this showed up in a comment posted by a reader of an article titled:
Pacifism: A Refuge of the Simple Minded
that appeared at Human Events.com,
The comments read as follows…
> “When Jesus does come back, I hope you have the balls to stand up to Him and tell Him that everything that He taught was "morally abhorant, and has no place in a civilized society". He DID say turn the other cheek, and a few other things as well, like love thine enemy, and about how to forgive is Divine. How can you call Pacifist names and say that they are lazy, when what they believe are the very principles that Jesus taught. I think you guys need to put down the guns and read more of the Bible, the words that Jesus gave us and you will find that He taught that weapons were the handiwork of the Devil, and when one of His Diciples injured one of His captors on the night He was taken, He healed him, not fought back, right?”
I had to reply to this poorly though out response, which was not only filled with misinterpretations and misapplications of the teachings of Jesus Christ, but it also referenced quotes and deas that are quite simply not even found in the Bible, but are stated as if they were..
What follows is my reply (comments in red added for clarity) to that readers comment.
* * * * * *
> “When Jesus does come back, I hope you have the balls to stand up to Him and tell Him that everything that He taught was "morally abhorant, and has no place in a civilized society".
I do not know where you get that anything that has been written (in the article or by others who posted comments) says that any of us believe that what Jesus taught is morally abhorrent. We do not. Let me point out a few things about what you wrote.
> “When Jesus does come back…”
When Jesus comes back, HE will not be doing so as a pacifist, but rather HE will be returning with a sword, with which he will smite the nations (Revelation 19:15).
> “He DID say turn the other cheek…”
He was referring to a slap on the cheek, which is not a threatening or deadly blow. It is a challenge, and we are not to respond to simple challenges as though they, in and of, themselves have inflicted any real harm.
> “and a few other things as well, like love thine enemy”
The fact that we are to love our enemies only means that we do nothing more to them than is required to stop them from doing us harm. We are not to take vengeance upon our enemy once they have been defeated. It unnecessary for us to do so, GOD will do it, and HE will do a better job of avenging the innocent than we can anyway. (Romans 12:19)
It also means that if an enemy is in need, we should be willing to offer assistance in meeting that needs. Doing so will emphasize to the enemy that being our friend is less burdensome than being our enemy. (Romans 12:20)
Note: As history has proven, the United States of America has always been ready, willing and able to aid anyone, friend or foe, in times of catastrophe and great need. And that we have been right there at the end of any military conflict to give aid and assistance in rebuilding the infrastructure of virtually every enemy we have defeated.
> “and about how to forgive is Divine”
Sorry Pamela, that is not in the scriptures. It is actually a quote from Alexander Pope “To err is human, to forgive divine”. It should also be noted that to forgive an unrepentant enemy will have much the same results as throwing a rock straight up. Unless you take steps to avoid it, the enemy like the rock, is going to come back and hit you squarely on your head.
> “How can you call Pacifist names and say that they are lazy, when what they believe are the very principles that Jesus taught.”
What they believe has little or nothing to do with what Jesus taught. Jesus specifically said that he did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10: 34)
There is also the fact that despite interacting with more than one soldier during his earthly life, Jesus never told a single one of them to leave military service, or not to fight against his nation’s enemies. Rather he blessed them in one way or another. See Matthew 8:5 to 13 for example.
It is also a fact that Jesus sent Peter to a soldier, or more precisely a centurion, named Cornelius who along with those of his household became the very first gentiles to accept Jesus as his Lord and savior. That’s right, God blessed a soldier, an armed fighting man by making him and his family the proof that salvation was for all GOD fearing men and women, and not just for the children of Israel. (Acts 10:1)
> “I think you guys need to put down the guns and read more of the Bible, the words that Jesus gave us…”
Actually I would be willing to say, with little fear of being proven wrong, that many gun owners who are ready to stand and fight evil doers, from the thug in the ally to the islamo-fascist on the battlefield, probably read, study and know their Bible better than you do.
> ”and you will find that He taught that weapons were the handiwork of the Devil,”
Thus proving my point as nowhere in the scriptures does it say, and never did Jesus say, that weapons are the handiwork of the Devil. In fact, it was Jesus who made sure that HIS disciples would be armed, knowing that He was about to be taken away from them. (Luke 22:36 & 38) Note that it is probable that the followers of our LORD would also have been taken right there and then, and would have been executed as quickly as Jesus was, had they not been armed.
> “and when one of His Diciples injured one of His captors on the night He was taken, He healed him, not fought back,
HE stopped Peter, and did not personally fight back because HE knew that it was time for HIM to be taken and soon crucified in our place. Had HE not allowed HIMSELF to be taken, had HE instead chosen to used the sword that HE will wield on the day of HIS return, (or had HE called upon the legions of angles at HIS disposal to protect and defend HIM) we would have no escape from the just consequences of our sins. (Matthew 26:52 - 54)
> “right?”
Uhmmm, No obviously not.
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Showing posts with label The Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Bible. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Liberal Interpretations #1
This is the first of what I hope to be several pieces that I intend to write and post in an attempt to correct as many liberal misrepresentations and misapplications of scripture as I can. This first post is in response to a comment I read a short while back.
The two most important rules that I ever learned about Bible study are:
#1: A proof text, out of context, is a pretext.
#2: Let the Bible interpret itself
In other words, individual passages of scripture must be understood within its particular context, and within the context of the rest of the scriptures. These are not some esoteric principles, known and used by only the most deep thinking seminary trained individuals. They are simple common sense rules, and by following them it is possible to avoid misunderstanding and/or misapplying the scriptures.
So why is it that I all too often, I hear some liberal pull a passage completely out of context to prove some outrageous claims like “Jesus would be considered a liberal by today’s standards”, or “the Bible teaches liberalism and/or socialism", or "the Bible preaches against conservatism and/or capitalism” or some other such nonsense .
* Side Note: Interestingly, these same liberals will often scream bloody murder whenever a conservative references the Bible for any reason.
Just a week or two ago, I read a comment from a man who claimed that Matthew 25:41-46 says that conservative would be cast into hell (because they oppose the socialist agenda of B.O.) and that only liberals would go to heaven. However, if you look up those versus and read them for yourself, you will not recognize his interpretation of them. To make the point even more clear, read the entire passage, starting from Matthew 25:31 and ending with Matthew 25:46.
* NOTE: To make this easier I will append the referenced verses at the end of this post.
The passage does not say that those who supported the government taking of money, goods or property without the rightful owners consent, and redistributing a portion of them to those who are “in need” will be welcomed into Heaven. Nor does it say that those who opposed the government enforced “redistribution of the wealth” will be cast into Hell.
What is does say is that Jesus will set the sheep (those who have accepted his sacrifice and gift of salvation) on his right and the goats (those who did not accept his sacrifice and gift) on his left.
* Side Note: I have always found it interesting that liberals are proud of being on the political left, while they bash conservatives for being on the right. This may be of no Biblical significance, but it is interesting all the same.
He then says to those on his right that they are blessed by His Father, and are to enter into His Father's Kingdom. He reminds them that when they took in the homeless, fed the hungry, cared for the sick, and clothed the naked, amongst the least of His brethren, they were in fact doing so to Him.
Next He tells the goats to depart into the everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels, and tell them that they did nothing for Him because they did not take in the homeless, feed the hungry, care for the sick or cloth the naked, amongst His brethren.
Now consider the oft promulgated proposal that liberals are more charitable and more willing to care for and do something about the needs of the poor and downtrodden. This lie, is roundly and soundly disproved by the facts. Let me recommend a good book on the subject titled:
"Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism"
By Arthur Brooks, a professor at Syracuse University
The facts show that conservatives are far more likely to open their own homes, give of their own time and reach into their own pockets to help those in need. They are more likely to take in the homeless, feed the hungry, and take care of the sick, and cloth the naked, and give blood for that matter.
Liberals on the other hand are more likely to rely on the government to reach into the pockets of others, via fees, fines and taxes, to pay for government programs that have historically proven to be inefficient at best, and more often than not, detrimental to those they supposedly created to help.
In closing I want to say that I am in no way claiming that all this proves that liberals are all destined for Hell, or that conservatives deserve to go to Heaven. The point is that no GOD fearing, Bible believing Christian would make that kind of stupid blanket statement. The fact is that GOD will make the decision of who goes where based on who has repented of their sins and excepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, and who has not. I am so sick and tired of the attempts of liberals, many of whom do not have a sincere respect for the Bible, Jesus Christ or GOD the Father, to distort and twist the Word of GOD so as to mislead the Biblically illiterate into thinking that they (the liberals) are the only ones who care about those in need.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Appendix A - Matthew 25:
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Appendix B - Additional Recommended Reading:
* Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism
* By Arthur Brooks, a professor at Syracuse University
* Conservatives More Liberal Givers
* By George Will March 27, 2008 - Real Clear Politics.com
* Bleeding Heart Tightwads
* By Nicholas D. Kristof – New York Times, Op-Ed Columnist - Published: December 20, 2008
* Off The Map:
* Dataset of the Day: Who is more Generous? Republicans or Democrats?
* By Kevin Burke - January 7th, 2009
* THE LIFE & WEALTH BALANCE - February 1, 2008 article
* Faithful Reader.com - Article
* Well What Do You Know, I Was Right About Conservative Giving
* By joellerose February 6, 2007
The two most important rules that I ever learned about Bible study are:
#1: A proof text, out of context, is a pretext.
#2: Let the Bible interpret itself
In other words, individual passages of scripture must be understood within its particular context, and within the context of the rest of the scriptures. These are not some esoteric principles, known and used by only the most deep thinking seminary trained individuals. They are simple common sense rules, and by following them it is possible to avoid misunderstanding and/or misapplying the scriptures.
So why is it that I all too often, I hear some liberal pull a passage completely out of context to prove some outrageous claims like “Jesus would be considered a liberal by today’s standards”, or “the Bible teaches liberalism and/or socialism", or "the Bible preaches against conservatism and/or capitalism” or some other such nonsense .
* Side Note: Interestingly, these same liberals will often scream bloody murder whenever a conservative references the Bible for any reason.
Just a week or two ago, I read a comment from a man who claimed that Matthew 25:41-46 says that conservative would be cast into hell (because they oppose the socialist agenda of B.O.) and that only liberals would go to heaven. However, if you look up those versus and read them for yourself, you will not recognize his interpretation of them. To make the point even more clear, read the entire passage, starting from Matthew 25:31 and ending with Matthew 25:46.
* NOTE: To make this easier I will append the referenced verses at the end of this post.
The passage does not say that those who supported the government taking of money, goods or property without the rightful owners consent, and redistributing a portion of them to those who are “in need” will be welcomed into Heaven. Nor does it say that those who opposed the government enforced “redistribution of the wealth” will be cast into Hell.
What is does say is that Jesus will set the sheep (those who have accepted his sacrifice and gift of salvation) on his right and the goats (those who did not accept his sacrifice and gift) on his left.
* Side Note: I have always found it interesting that liberals are proud of being on the political left, while they bash conservatives for being on the right. This may be of no Biblical significance, but it is interesting all the same.
He then says to those on his right that they are blessed by His Father, and are to enter into His Father's Kingdom. He reminds them that when they took in the homeless, fed the hungry, cared for the sick, and clothed the naked, amongst the least of His brethren, they were in fact doing so to Him.
Next He tells the goats to depart into the everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels, and tell them that they did nothing for Him because they did not take in the homeless, feed the hungry, care for the sick or cloth the naked, amongst His brethren.
Now consider the oft promulgated proposal that liberals are more charitable and more willing to care for and do something about the needs of the poor and downtrodden. This lie, is roundly and soundly disproved by the facts. Let me recommend a good book on the subject titled:
"Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism"
By Arthur Brooks, a professor at Syracuse University
The facts show that conservatives are far more likely to open their own homes, give of their own time and reach into their own pockets to help those in need. They are more likely to take in the homeless, feed the hungry, and take care of the sick, and cloth the naked, and give blood for that matter.
Liberals on the other hand are more likely to rely on the government to reach into the pockets of others, via fees, fines and taxes, to pay for government programs that have historically proven to be inefficient at best, and more often than not, detrimental to those they supposedly created to help.
In closing I want to say that I am in no way claiming that all this proves that liberals are all destined for Hell, or that conservatives deserve to go to Heaven. The point is that no GOD fearing, Bible believing Christian would make that kind of stupid blanket statement. The fact is that GOD will make the decision of who goes where based on who has repented of their sins and excepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, and who has not. I am so sick and tired of the attempts of liberals, many of whom do not have a sincere respect for the Bible, Jesus Christ or GOD the Father, to distort and twist the Word of GOD so as to mislead the Biblically illiterate into thinking that they (the liberals) are the only ones who care about those in need.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Appendix A - Matthew 25:
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Appendix B - Additional Recommended Reading:
* Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism
* By Arthur Brooks, a professor at Syracuse University
* Conservatives More Liberal Givers
* By George Will March 27, 2008 - Real Clear Politics.com
* Bleeding Heart Tightwads
* By Nicholas D. Kristof – New York Times, Op-Ed Columnist - Published: December 20, 2008
* Off The Map:
* Dataset of the Day: Who is more Generous? Republicans or Democrats?
* By Kevin Burke - January 7th, 2009
* THE LIFE & WEALTH BALANCE - February 1, 2008 article
* Faithful Reader.com - Article
* Well What Do You Know, I Was Right About Conservative Giving
* By joellerose February 6, 2007
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