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The President's 'Social Gospel'
· Tuesday, February 7, 2012
For 60 years the National Prayer Breakfast has been a nonpolitical event where speakers put aside their earthly biases and focus on a Higher Authority. Last Thursday, President Obama departed from that tradition to claim the endorsement of Jesus for raising taxes. It beat the endorsement of Mitt Romney by Donald Trump.
In his remarks, the president quoted Luke 12:48: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." The president sees this verse as a command for him to raise taxes on the successful so the money can be "spread around" to the less successful. If the president's interpretation of this verse sounds a little like Karl Marx, it should. Marx said, "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need."
The president took a quote that was meant to mean something else and twisted it to serve his political ends. He took a verse out of context, created a pretext and then preached on politics. A conservative spinner might also wrongly use Matthew 13:12 to justify cutting taxes. That verse says: "Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance."
Dr. Robert Norris, senior pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Md., (where I attend) said in response to what I suggested to him was the president's flawed exegesis, "There is an accountability we have for all that we have been given. We are held personally responsible by God and not man for what is entrusted to us. The knowledge, abilities and resources we have come from Him and he holds us accountable for their use." The problem comes when government seeks to replace God and this was the attitude conveyed in the president's remarks.
The religious and even secular left commends religion when it suits their earthly agenda, but opposes religious instruction when it comes to issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
The absence of any editorials in major newspapers critical of the president's mixing of church and state and the virtual silence of activist groups like the ACLU and People for the American Way testifies to this point. Americans United for the Separation of Church and State criticized the prayer breakfast, but not the misinterpretation of Scripture, though it did say most of the president's remarks were "election-season boilerplate."
The president claimed Muslims, Jews and even secular sources like Plato also admonish us to have "consideration for others." True enough, but that isn't a mandate for government to be our primary keeper so we "shall not want."
The verse the president quoted, in context, differs from the spin he placed on it. True charity has a purpose beyond the satisfaction of physical needs. Its objective is to change hearts so that whatever is making someone poor will help them become less so. Meeting physical needs is the primary work of the church and individuals, not government, which changes no heart and does a poor job of making people self-sustaining. Government should be a last resort, not a first resource.
The social gospel is not new to this president. It is largely a creation of 20th-century Protestants who believed in applying "Christian principles" to rectify society's problems. Deeds quickly supplanted faith, evolving into a "works salvation" theology, which says if you do enough good works, God will be pleased and let you into Heaven when you die. This contradicts biblical teaching that it is by faith and not works that one is saved from judgment (Ephesians 2:8-9). Some verses teach works as an extension of faith, revealing its depth and seriousness, but they equally teach that works without faith in Jesus is not enough. This is traditional Christian theology. Accept it, or not, but the president is mistaken when he interprets Scripture to achieve his political goals.
(c) 2012 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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Brian
The news media look for stories that will surprise, shock, disgust or otherwise draw attention in order to sell more papers/magazines/air time etc. When the story does none of these, then there is no point to using their resources to report on it.
My point is this: are any of us really surprised by Obama's comments? They are but another of his enormously long line of tripe, trash, lies, distortions and usurpations that characterizes this present illigitimate administration. It is illigitimate for failing and, yes, REFUSING to honor his oath of office, among other reasons.
But keep them coming Cal, as you can never have too much ammo.
Posted February 7, 2012 at 8:32:47 AM
JtC
Bravo, Mr. Thomas!
Posted February 7, 2012 at 8:46:44 AM
mmccrindle
Obama is so very, very mistaken.
I must question his faith, for it is obvious he believes that all rights are given from government and not God.
Posted February 7, 2012 at 9:05:11 AM
wjmccrindle
The liar in chief twists scripture to further his agenda of Marxism. He is in leage with Satan, and would force Catholic Hospitals to the will of Planned Death, and force them to violate their doctrine to do the evil work of abortion. Their is no way this cretin is a Chrisian, as his actions favor Islam and a Caliphate to the destruciton of America and Israel, and mid east takeover by the muslim brotherhood. He means to be king, and his religion is Obamanation. A vote for a Democrat is a treasonous act for the Destruction of America.
Posted February 7, 2012 at 9:31:55 AM
Klueman
To manipulate the Word of God for personal gain simply adds to the condemnation this liar faces at the judgement day. As POTUS after taking oath of office with hand on Bible to conduct himself in such reprehensible manner (as he has always lived) is to be subject to the certain teaching of Revelation 22: 18 and 19. Woe to this son of the serpent and to America I say "Repent", or Woe to you as well !
Posted February 7, 2012 at 12:17:54 PM
Shaeri
To wjmccrindle: Today a vote for Democrats is a vote to overthrow the government and the Constitution -- it wasn't always so. Sadly, most Dems don't realize their party has been hijacked by progressives.
And yes, it was truly disgusting to see the leader of the free world misquote scripture for his own ends. Is there nothing that this guy won't politicize??
Posted February 7, 2012 at 12:23:36 PM
Kathy
You said it perfectly!
The religious and even secular left commends religion when it suits their earthly agenda, but opposes religious instruction when it comes to issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
They flip-flop on every other topic, so why not religion & scripture??
Posted February 7, 2012 at 12:38:52 PM
iandelor
http://conservativerevolutionary.com/rants/?p=189
This is an essay I wrote recently about this very topic. The president is simply wrong. Christians who support the welfare state are actually guilty of idolatry.
Posted February 7, 2012 at 12:59:12 PM
Bob Apjok
The Bible teaches over and over again that we as individuals are required to care for the poor. No where does it say anything about the government doing that and in fact condemns the idea in various places,most notably Ex 20:15 "Thou shalt not steal" and also from Paul "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. - 2 Thes 3:10.
People tend to forget that as Jesus is the Word and also God, then the entire Bible are the words of Jesus, not just those spoken while he was on earth.
Posted February 7, 2012 at 1:58:14 PM
Rod
Obama may be the Anti-Christ. Pick a disparaging label and it easily fits him and his behavior like a glove. Hypocrite. Liar. Charleton. Ego-manic. Self-serving.
His drivel is so obviously false, distorted propaganda that I cannot listen to him. It may have been time for a Black man to be President, but how did we ever elect this un-qualified poser?
Posted February 7, 2012 at 3:50:09 PM
Richard Ryan
In answer to Rod`s question about how did we elect this un-qualified poser; We have the power to elect our own tyrant, and we have done so. Sadly, even after the outrage being instigated against the Catholic Church, I see many Catholics stating that they intend to vote for this monster again.
Richard Ryan
Lamar,Missouri - Birthplace of Harry S Truman
Posted February 7, 2012 at 4:14:26 PM
Ed Shipley
Much has recently been said about Obama and the gov't demanding that Catholic institutions such as their hospitals, schools, colleges, etc,include services and insurance to fund practices aginst their religion. Abortion, for example. What makes anyone think that this policy will not apply to other denominations? Other practices related to religious principles?
Posted February 8, 2012 at 1:13:28 AM
mmccrindle
Ed Shipley-
From what I've heard Islam is getting the free passes.
I'll do some of my own research but I don't think I'll find any suprises.
In his book (that Ayers wrote for him) his favorite sound is the muslim call to prayer...
I believe his greatest wish would be for the rag head loonie mullahs in Tehran to actually nuke Israel.
Posted February 8, 2012 at 7:30:26 AM
Steve
Utopians continue to want the impossible, the idea of a "government-backed entitlement to happiness." Their arrested development leaves them mental children, bitterly clinging to the notion of Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, "Good Nanny Government" and similar fantasies. The satisfaction of adult self-reliance will always elude them; demagogues and tyrants will always prey on them.
Posted February 8, 2012 at 11:26:07 AM
JtC
Richard, the Catholic Church is just as evil as the Obama administration. The CCC contradicts the Word of God in so many places at so many levels it is absurd to refer to the Catholic Church as "Christian". Catholics are brainwashed and confused and ignore the Word of God. THAT is why Catholics will continue to vote for The Obomanation. I am a Christian. I believe the Bible is the mind of Christ and God-breathed as it says it is. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone, not by works. If a group of people is as confused about salvation as the Catholics are we can't expect them to vote sensibly. I know I stepped on some toes here, but the truth is the truth and I will not apologize for stating the truth.
Posted February 9, 2012 at 10:35:20 AM