If only Bill O’Reilly was the only one advocating this
position. Conservative hero Michelle
Malkin has often cited the need to “limit our compassion” in regards to
providing medical treatment to the less fortunate. Thanks to folks like O’Reilly, Malkin, and evangelical
theologian Wayne
Grudem championing their own neo-liberal economic policies under the guise
of Christianity, this misguided view has “trickled down” to the average
Joe. In a recent conversation, someone
told me that “it was never expected that
the church would take care of everyone …there were guidelines for who should
receive support…there were stipulations…those who were taken care of had to
fall into the categories mentioned.”
Yeah…that comes straight out of the Bible.
As the preceding video shows so well, somehow conservative
Christians have bought into these neoliberal, libertarian, and “free-market”
economics. Even worse, this economic policy
has crept its way into Christian theology.
Perhaps you have seen the video posted above before, this idea that
Christians should be “responsible” and “set limits” on their charity, only if
it “makes sense.” Christians are willing
help others out if they “deserve” it or are willing to help themselves.
Jesus was anything but “responsible;” if anything he was a troublemaker
and a firebrand. There was a time (Matthew
4:18-22) when that he told a couple guys to literally walk off the job and
follow him. Think about that, Jesus told two small business owners to stop
being productive and instead live off entitlements and charity! What a
job-killing socialist! I remember another time; another guy wanted to follow
Jesus but said he needed to bury his father first. Jesus said, let the dead
bury the dead (Luke 9:60) How outrageous! How irresponsible! Jesus should have
given him time to arrange his 401k, set up the trust funds, go over the
financial documents… Oh, and do I even need to mention the time Jesus went nuts
and trashed the market at the temple? (Matthew 21:12) Jesus was anything but a sensible, responsible,
limiting, guideline-making philanthropist.
So, we are forced to ask, why have conservative Christians
embraced this economic policy so readily? Because they can get the best of both
worlds. They get to talk about being “holy”
and “Christ-like” on Sunday while driving home in their Lexus to their
McMansions. Listening to Christian radio,
they drive over the bridge under which the homeless sleep, past the bus stop
where the low-income earners sit, and around the food bank where a line stretches
around the building. Then, over a plate
full of food, they thank the Lord they are not like the other “sinners” (Luke
18:11) all before saying “Grace” (somehow they also have forgotten they grace
they themselves received from God, despite their own unworthiness).
Conservative
Christians have embraced such an economic policy because it lets them ignore
other “troublesome” passages about rich people having a hard time getting into
heaven (Matthew 19:24) or a rich man in hell for not helping the less fortunate
(Luke 16:23). “Buying into” (literally)
such economic policy allows conservative Christians to keep their conscience at
ease while at the same time reinforcing their own “righteousness.”
Well, I’m saying enough. I’m calling you’re bluff. It's B.S.
Jesus was anything but “responsible” with his compassion…
Matthew 9:36 – “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion
for (some of) them”
Matthew 20:34 – “Moved with compassion, Jesus
touched their eyes (of those who didn’t depend
on government for medical insurance)”
Matthew 14:14 –“When he went ashore, he saw a
great crowd; and he had compassion for (those who were
willing to help themselves) and cured their sick”
Matthew 9:35 —“Then Jesus went about all the
cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and
curing every disease and every sickness (of those who had coverage for their pre-existing conditions)”
Matthew 10:8—“Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, cast out
demons. You received without
payment; give without payment (to those who meet the stipulations)”
Oddly enough, it’s conservative Christians who are so often
accusing “liberal” Christians of “picking and choosing” which verses they
follow.
Well said. I'm very glad I came across your blog (which I discovered by Googling the term "white christian heterosexual male). I'm a Christian, and it irritates me that, seemingly, the only Christians who get press are the over-the-top, insane evangelicals who are terrified of losing their entitlement and grip on our country. I look forward to reading more of your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading. I appreciate your comments.
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