Secondly, the Bible is not a catalog of verses to grab willy-nilly when we want to browbeat someone into agreeing with us. Both legalistic and liberal Christians are often guilty of doing that. Okay, a proof-text is sometimes necessary, but it should never be taken out of its immediate context, nor out of the context of the entire Bible. Nor should it be used without careful consideration of the historical background against which the verse is set; neither should it be applied without checking the correctness of the translation being quoted.
When a person who only knows the Book by reputation (from movies, or cheap novels, or anti-Christian professors) throws a Bible verse at me, I find it very trying. Some of that is pride, which is my fault, but much of it is ire at hearing this astounding Book handled so cavalierly, so belligerently, and so ignorantly.I am reminded here of a short conversation with a Leftist wherein he brought up the that Jesus advocated heavy taxation for social programs because in his advice to the Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18: 18-23) he told the Rich Young Ruler to "So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”" I had to point out that this needed to be a voluntary action, and one taken with joy, not as some horrible duty. Jesus didn't say "Have Ceasar sieze everything you own and distribute it to those most likely to vote for him." There is a difference. As I said, it was a short conversation.
Then, of course, there is the ridiculous issue of border security, of defending our borders against illegal immigration, and allowing just so many in each year. As always, one must note that one is not against immigration, just illegal immigration. But while were at it, why must we accept immigrants from countries that want to change us? I find it odd that people want to come here, and then vote to change us into the places from which they came. Why not simply stay where you are? You want Sharia? Go to a Muslim majority country. Voila', instant Sharia. You want Communism? There are several Communist and Socialist countries to choose from. Try you luck with one of them. North Korea, I hear, is a lovely place, as is Cuba. And according to Michael Moore, you get free health care in Cuba! What a perk.
Recently, I got into a discussion with a Leftist, who was trying his best to get my goat over my voting for President Trump. After a bit of back an forth, he came out with how President Trump was keeping children in cages. I pointed out those pictures were from 2014 when Obama was in office. He tried to deflect by saying that this was because no one could get in to take pictures now. I pointed out that even if it was true, and the ubiquity of cell phones with cameras made it unlikely, that it still did not make it Trump's fault that Obama kept children in cages. Seeing he was losing, he turned to the old "Didn't Jesus say to let the little children come to him/" Now this guy identifies as an American Indian (think Elizabeth Warren) and practices some version of American Indian sprituality, complete with sacred fires and drum circles. I then pointed out that what Jesus said was "Let the little children come to me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The context had nothing to do with immigration. After that he said I just did not have enough compassion. I then point out that there are 5 billion poor people in the world. Why do these, at our Southern border, deserve any more consideration than the other 5 billion. Furthermore, if we took the attitude that anyone coming to this country from a poor nation should automatically get in, could we actually afford to take care of them all? Another short conversation.
Go read the article. It is good.
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