Tony Perkins: ‘Jesus Rejected Collectivism’ & Was a Free-Market Enthusiast
- Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:00pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Over the past few months, we‘ve explored the faith community’s reaction to Occupy Wall Street. The Christian left, among others, have insinuated since the movement began that Jesus Christ was a socialist, communist — essentially an ultra-leftist.
Following the deluge of commentary from the Rev. Jim Wallis, among others, Family Research Council president Tony Perkins is coming out strong against the notion that Jesus would have forced redistributive policies on Americans (or on anyone, for that matter).
FRC President Tony Perkins
On the CNN’s Belief Blog, Perkins writes about one of the last instructions that was given by Jesus to his disciples. In his piece, Perkins explains that Jesus told the disciples that the new kingdom God had promised would not be established immediately on earth. To deliver the message lightly, the Bible records a parable that Christ used. Perkins writes:
The primary purpose of the parable, which appears in the Gospel of Luke, was to make clear to his disciples that the kingdom of God would not be physically established on the earth for some time and that, until then, they were being entrusted with certain responsibilities.
Jesus, depicted as a ruler in the story, would have to leave for a while as he traveled to a faraway place to receive authority to reign over the kingdom. In his absence, the disciples – depicted as servants – were to “occupy” until he returned.
Here’s the direct quote from Luke: “He called his ten servants, and gave to them ten minas, one mina each (a mina today would be worth around $225), and he then told them to ‘Occupy till I come.’ ” (Luke 19:13, King James Version)
Perkins then goes on to ask if Jesus’ meaning of the word “Occupy” is the same as the version of the word being employed by those who stand opposed to Wall Street and the current capitalist system. He concludes that the meaning of the word in Jesus’ account is very different the one embraced by the religious left (and the Occupy movement).
According to Perkins, the meaning of “Occupy” as it stands in Greek (translated into old English) means “to be occupied with business.” This definition, Perkins contends, is all about opportunity in life and leaving a legacy — something that requires hard work and dedication.
It is here that the FRC leader says Jesus was using the free market system to make his point. He contends that Christ‘s purposeful choice shouldn’t be overlooked. He continues:
When the nobleman returns, after being established as king – a stand-in for Jesus – he calls all his servants together to see what they had accomplished in his absence.
The first servant reports a nice profit: 10 minas. While the story lacks specifics on whether he invested the money in a herd of sheep or a hedge fund, we do know that he made his gain by engaging in business transactions of some sort. He used a free market system to bring a tenfold return on investment. No doubt such a return took a lot of diligent, dedicated effort.
At this point, Perkins writes that the new king praises the servant and then rewards him with something that’s even greater than what he was originally given — control over ten cities. The second servant, too, who turned his one mina into five gets five cities in return. But the third servant who kept the money and didn’t do anything with it angered the king and had little to show for his efforts (he didn’t even collect interest on it.
“Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant,” the king said. Perkins writes that the king asked, ”Why didn’t you at least put the money in the bank and draw interest?” Essentially the lesson, as noted here, is: There aren’t any excuses for failing to act. Perkins continues:
The ruler orders that the capital, or opportunity, given to the lazy servant be taken from him and given to the most productive servant. “To everyone who has, more shall be given,” the Bible reads, “but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.”
Jesus rejected collectivism and the mentality that has occupied America for the last few decades: that everyone gets a trophy – equal outcomes for inequitable performance. There are winners and yes, there are losers. And wins and losses are determined by the diligence and determination of the individual.
You can read the rest of Perkins’ words here and you can read the full parable on Bible Gateway here.
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Comments (181)
fidelcashflo44
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:49pmJesus Christ- as depicted by the lying, thieving, traveling salesmen that “wrote” the Bible – never existed.
Report Post »HairRazor
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 6:09pmWow, how blessed I am to have had Christian parents. Lord, open his eyes.
Report Post »memyselfandi
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 6:31pmYou clearly have no idea what the Bible is or where it came from and what believers went through to get it into the hands of common man.
Report Post »ZengaPA65
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 6:40pmBecause one religion persecutes another religion that makes it from God? By your thinking then every pagan Jew and Muslim that died at the hands of a Christian had the right religion.
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 7:34pmCommie your talking about he salesman right
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 7:35pmThe salesman rather
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 8:36pmCommie castro
Jesus and Christ are two words one of one langauge and one of another.
They are both titles of the same being among the 100+ titles.
Formerly forced Catholics make for haters of the Christ as well as other abusive religions.
Not one of those religions was formed by God/Jesus save the original Hebrew crew. They have been blinded for a time but will come to the full glory in the near future.
As for you there is hope though it is often a tough road back to the LIGHT
Report Post »Kaoscontrol
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 8:52pmThe Bible is God’s love letter to believers. If it’s not speaking to you, it‘s probably because you’re reading someone else’s mail.
Report Post »RossPoldark
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 9:30pmOh wow, I guess because FidelCashflo44 says so, the bible and Jesus are all fictitious? Oh wow grand poopa glad you enlightened us.
Report Post »Southern Rebel
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 9:41pmHe didn’t exist eh? There are countless historical accounts that not only did He exist, but the ‘book’ that the travelling salesmen, as you disparaginly call those who had their eyes opened to the truth, is the ONLY book in the history of mankind that self-validates itself through prophecy.
Report Post »But I‘m sure you wouldn’t understand any of that…way over your head. But I‘ll bet you believe we evolved from the primordial mud by a magic big bang that accidently caused this planet and it’s billions of lifeforms to exist.
You’ll learn soon enough….but it may just be too late for you at that time. Better hope not eh?
Walkabout
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:07pmfidelcashflo44
Even atheists who don’t believe in god send their kids to church. It was in a science mag. Considering that some people who are not believers still have Judeo-Christian values-, just by driving out religion (or trying to) from the public square will not accomplish your objectives the acceptance of gay behavior. You tear down Christianity & the accompanying ethos sop you can replace it with what you want (anything goes). Boy is reality going bi atch slap you.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:51pmTony Perkins says of this parable,
The ruler orders that the capital, or opportunity, given to the lazy servant be taken from him and given to the most productive servant. “To everyone who has, more shall be given,” the Bible reads, “but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.”
He sure got that right as far as what the Republican party is promoting. “To everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.” That’s it. That‘s the real Republican platform summarized concisely although they say they’re on your, not the side of their wealthy benefactors.
Those, according Tony Perkins, who have the most, are the most worthy of God’s largesse. George Soros, Buffet and others like them, who have started with little, and become billionaires, shall recieve God’s blessing. In this parable, according to Tony Perkins, George Soros is a shoe-in for Heaven, and you and me are going to lose what little we have “the Bible reads” because we’re lazy.
That’s certainly a unique read on the Christian religion!
So who is this Tony Perkins guy, this servant of God? He’s the guy who “paid former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke $82,500 for his mailing list.” The KKK, that’s his constituency, and you of course.
http://www.thenation.com/article/justice-sunday-preachers
Report Post »heartitorleaveit
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 11:05pmsomething the antichrist would say! hmmmm fidelcashflo is showing true colors.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 11:54pmfidelcashflo44
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:49pm
Jesus Christ- as depicted by the lying, thieving, traveling salesmen that “wrote” the Bible – never existed.
============================
Your posting reminded me of the best Bumper-Sticker slogan I have ever seen…
“If you are living like there is no Hell… you had better be right”
Many of us here at The Blaze will pray for you. With any luck it will work and keep you from going to hell when you die. Or you could just tell us not to pray for you, and thereby guaranteeing you an everlasting life of hell. Fire and Brimstone baby – Fire and Brimstone. Just sayin’.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:07amGee, your comment was not what I expected to see. I do believe that you have the right to your opinon, and have the right to disagree. Whether you lke it or not, I have you in my prayers nightly as I pray for all who have not yet found Christ. I hope you are not offended, it is not my intention.
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:09amIF so, then neither do you!
Report Post »E.Z. Las Vegas
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:12amI sincerely wish most Christians had as much faith in Jesus as atheists have in universal nothingness.
But as for your argument about lying, thieving traveling salesmen, do just a little historical research. You will find that 11 of the 12 (including Paul) lying thieves, were tortured and executed for refusing to renounce Jesus. They could have avoided crucifixion, stoning, and being run through by swords, simply by denying Him. If they were con men, they were the dumbest con men in history.
The twelfth? John survived an execution attempt in boiling oil before being exiled to the island of Patmos to live out his days in a penal colony. Instead of denying Him and going free, he had a “Revelation.”
For more information, I suggest the book “Jesus Christ: Supernut or Supernatural” by Dr. Gene Scott.
Report Post »TRUTHandFREEDOM
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 5:46amJZS!
Are you using “the nation” as your source of information? The nation … being of Cloward and Piven strategy publication fame? I can’t have a serious political or theological discussion with anyone who puts weight in the word of “the nation”.
You also use that blanket anti Republican rhetoric that condemns Repulicans for being against handouts to system riders and for prefering a less regulated, more opportunity creating principles in governing. I can see that you lean toward the socialist/communist principles of the modern democratic party, a party who advanced slavery and who still encourages control of other people’s lives through entitlement addiction.
The Blaze has educated readers who know our founding principles, religeous principles, history and all about the alliances and tactics of the left, so your Alinsky playbook will not work here. We KNOW that wall street donated HEAVILY to Obama, so occupy that!
I see that many here already have you easily pegged as being a leftist hack.
Have a nice day.
Report Post »Charlie Justice
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 6:07amJesus does not require your belief in Him as a prerequisite for His existence.
Report Post »One day, on bended knee, you will not only KNOW He you were wrong but you will also procl;aim Him The Lord with your own lips.
old white guy
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 8:21amthe christian left, what a contradiction. fidel, God will consider you and probably find you lacking.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:36amPerkns is lying through his teeth.
Were are the rich and wealthy mentioned in the Beatitudes. The Parable is not about wealth, but about preaching the gospel. Christ, did not surround himself with the wealthy and powerful, but sought out the poor and the outcast. Perkins is another GOP preacher defending the gospel of greed. The last two desendants of St. Peter have come out and cautioned about uncheck capitalism. Pope Benedict has come out in support of the goals of OWS. The Evangelicals have abandoned Christ for the money changers.
Report Post »anAmericanVet
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:06pmThe best response to you is the one Jesus gave to Pilate and the Sanhedrin. Of all the questions and inquiries, Christ only answered one:
Are you the Christ? and Jesus answered “You say I am”
Jesus Christ does not need any post on the Blaze to justify who He is.
Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Report Post »the wireworker
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:51pm@ jzs…
first you have to get me to accept the premise that george soros got his billions honorably and blamelessly….and second you have to get me to accept the premise that the way to get to heaven is by work….which is not what perkins is talking about and thirdly you might be lazy but most of us are not.
everyone is alive but not everyone lives
Report Post »drphil69
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:04pmGot news for ya – you don’t exist either!!! and you never did!
Report Post »JohnGalt
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:38pmSweet a leftie who’s just trying to get attention, who would of thunk it.
Report Post »Legal Authority
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:25pmTaking religion out of it, history and archeology itself, has been able to corroborate the existence of Joseph, Herod, Jesus, Lazarus, Pontius pilate, etc, all biblical figures…… you need to read SOMETHING
Report Post »asgunnell
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:36pm@southern rebel – I too, used to believe there were “countless” accounts proving the historical accuracy of Jesus…until I went to find them. There is actually very little written, other than the bible, and a surprising LACK of corroborating evidence from other historians of the time. : )
Report Post »snufy
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 1:47amEven Satan does not deny that Jesus is the Son of God. Why do you?
Report Post »mrmikejohnson
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:42pm“Christian left” seems like an oxymoron to me. The only time the left cares about anything spiritual is when they’re trying to score political points or are heavily influenced by drugs.
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:47pmPelosi is for abortion … but the word … is her favorite word.
Report Post »WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges05
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:59pm“Jesus Rejected Collectivism & Was a Free-Market Enthusiast”
“Jesus” might well have done those things … if he’s referring to the Jesus pictured (no last name? who is that guy? U.S. citizen? south of the border?).
But this is NOT the Jesus of the Holy Bible, The Christ, Son Of God, and King Of Kings. (That Jesus looks entirely different both THEN and NOW.) So don’t let it confuse you all.
Report Post »Greenwood
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 8:11pm@THEOBAMANATION………..Pelosi is for abortion … but the word … is her favorite word.
Did the “word” become flesh when Mary conceived by means of the Holy Spirit or when she gave birth? In Luke 1: 41 – 44 Elizabeth who is 6 months pregnant is greeted by Mary who is pregnant and the infant in Elizabeths womb leaped with great gladness and she was filled with holy spirit.
I think “pro-choice” is her favorite word
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:49pmthe word she uses is from….
Report Post »hillbillyinny
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:51pm@ obamination
Pelosi’s “favorite word” might be the “word,” but she really couldn’t KNOW THE WORD (Jesus, the Son of God, the Communication Piece of God), and take many of the stands she takes or act or speak the way she does!
You are SO CORRECT!
Report Post »donh2
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:38pmMarket collectivism and collective salvation fail in the Parable of the 10 virgins Matthew 25 1-13, a verse that comes from the mouth of Jesus. The famous moral motto of Karl Mark ” from each according to his ability …to each according to his need ” is a plagerized perversion of Romans 2:6 which preaches a merit based morality
” Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
and for the covetous marxist Romans warns of HELL in the very next passage
“8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath ”
Marxism is the political philosophy for luceferian cults. It is the home of the antichrist .
Report Post »orvilleschividecker
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 7:56pmFrom the dedication page of Obama’s playbook, Rules for Radicals – A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, by (fellow Chicagoan) Saul Alinsky [which speaks throughout of "change" without defining it & is the first book (1970) I've ever seen that speaks of "community organizing"]:
“Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins – or which is which, [...too many drugs! (my addition)], the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom – Lucifer.”
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 8:23pmTis true
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 9:40pm@Shotgun: I find your interpretation to be interesting. Most people believe that the reason was because the money-changers and the priests had worked out a deal in which only sacrifices purchased with a specific coin would be accepted. Using this monopoly, the money-changers charged outrageous prices for their services and paid a kick-back to the priests for the privilege.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:51amI like Luke 6:24-25
24 “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Really questions which bible and whch God Perkins worships.
Report Post »christos
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:21pm…+JESUS+ said the wicked will store up the $ for the righteous,sow to the Spirit,,,not all wealthy people store their $ they invest it into +GOD’S + JESUS + Kingdom,what you sow you shall also reap,Sow to the spirit not the flesh+
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 7:40pmAMEN or I agree the same
Report Post »Freedomtothink
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:20pmAs I recall Jesus wasn’t a big fan of money or money changers. I’m all for religious freedom, family values and hard work but claiming Jesus was a free market advocate is over the top. Money and government are creations of humans not God.
Report Post »Roaran
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:33pmIf God created humans, anything that comes from humans would find their original cause in God. This is why God is known as the Creator, as he is the source of everything.
He is the source of all goodness and all evil (this will shock some people), but God can still be all good or even supremely good and be the source of all evil. So don’t get too upset by it.
Report Post »We are Americans
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 6:08pmThis parable is about faith not money. The treasures
of heaven are not the treasures if earth. As follows us the
commentary provided by the above linked bible
website, The master accuses the man of hypocrisy. If he knew the king was a hard man, then he should have at least put the money in the bank so it could earn a little interest. At least there would have been something to collect! So Jesus calls this slave wicked (porneros). His mina goes to the first servant, who has been faithful. The third servant ends up with nothing. As Jesus says in conclusion, “But as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.” These words echo 8:18. It matters little whether this conclusion is the word of the master or Jesus’ commentary, a detail that is disputed; the point is the same either way. Those who have nothing receive nothing. In fact, they lose whatever they thought they had. The stubborn slave is the “odd man out” who appears in so many of Jesus’ parables (Mt 13:29-30, 41, 49-50; 18:32-34; 22:11-13; 25:41). Some are associated with Jesus only superficially, and their lack of faith will be revealed at the evaluation of their life’s stewardship.
In contrast, the faithful are rewarded: “To everyone who has, more will be given.” Jesus acknowledges faithfulness with commendation and more service. To use the Lord’s gifts is to prepare to serve him further.
Report Post »Shotgun167
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 6:26pmIf only you had a clue what you were talking about.
Jesus turn over the money changer’s tables because the Jews of the time were trying to do an end-run around God’s Law. They would go out and purposefully sin, with the forethought that they could show up at the money changer’s table to buy a dove to sacrifice for absolution. Very in much in line with modern Catholics that sin at night, looking forward to showing up at the confessional in the morning to get forgiven for it.
Report Post »YAHSHUARULES
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:11pmNo it is not over the top. Your reference to money and money changers is in error to context. This was being done at the temple, where diseased animals were being sold for sacrifice, YHVH is a HOLY God and he demanded sacrifices without spot or wrinkle, that meant people raised their own mostly, it was dear to them, a lamb or calf or dove like a member of the family, and when they gave it up, it was costing them something, not to mention the work to get it to the temple, all this was shadow for the substance of Yahshua – Jesus himself being the ultimate sacrifice – GOD’S LAMB, the sacrifice that the Almighty provided, that cost him everything, His ONLY BEGOTTEN Son and he was without spot or wrinkle. Yahshua’s rebuke of the money changers at the temple was because they were cheapening the concept of that sacrifice. It was not supposed to be easy to comply, it was supposed to be a SACRIFICE. They were robbing YHVH of his due “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matt 21v12-13
The bible is clear you are supposed to WORK: and not expect others to support your lazy behind:
Report Post »“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2Thes 3v10
jungle J
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:53pmwhere did Jesus think the food and housing would come from?
Report Post »hillbillyinny
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 11:01pmPeople believe that the primary sacrifice in old testament times was the oblation (burning of the animal/seed/grain on the altar.
However, as a farmer I realized that the sacrifice began back when these agrarian people chose the “BEST FROM THE FLOCK/HERDS“ or the ”FIRST FRUITS (early maturing)” grains to give back to God. The perfect ram or bull could keep a breeding program going and improve it in just one generation. Early maturing “fruit” would be the seeds to keep to plant for the next year’s crop.
So yes, sacrifice was in the oblation, but it began with SACRIFICING THE FUTURE OF THEIR FOOD PRODUCTS, depending on God to provide!
God is outside of time. Jesus sacrifice is for all of all times before or after the actual occurence.
Report Post »Max jones
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:17amAt the time when Jesus walked upon the earth, there were not so many people. The cities and towns were barely the size of a sub-division you might find in north Dallas or outside of Ft. Lauderdale. Commerce was easier to control and regulations were not necessary. This was Ideal for free trade.
Report Post »Today, we have millions upon millions, every one a rabid consumer. NOT easy to control, regulations become necessary, for the protection of said consumers.
Every age has had its problems with envy and greed, and every government has had its law enforcement issues. Our modern era is the busiest, biggest, and most complicated time this world has ever experienced and our problems are just the same as they ever were….just the same, and we have the same issues restraining the lawless element. It is infinitely more difficult to do do today.
It is this lawless element that is the thorn in the side for every civilized culture. In our own culture it is the laws of God and common decency that are being violated, and in that respect, we are no different than any other people that have ever lived on God’s green earth.
the wireworker
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:27pm@ YASHUARULES
GREAT POST…!
@ FREEDOMTOTHINK….money and government were established by God…read the old testament
@mbalzley….Jesus was a carpenter…..Mark 6: 3 if i am not mistaken
@fidelcashflo44…….there are many non-christian ancient historians and text that would disagree with you
look at the history of collectivism, socialism and the like…and what they have brought to mankind…they are evil at their root cores…they TAKE away from one to give to another…it’s called STEALING….i prefer charity it doesn’t lead to the slaughtering of people….it’s leads to brotherhood
Report Post »JQCitizen
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:18pmJesus also respected Private Ownership; In another of his Parables when you read the story of the woman with the LOST COIN, she was desparately searching for it for herself, NOT in grave fear that she wouldn’t find it in time to reckon with the IRS:)
Report Post »OneofMany
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:17pmYES YES YES, Mr. Perkins you have it EXACTLY right… except that ALL of Jesus’ parables and teachings were related to the Kingdom of God and they were primarily spiritual, but we being also physical beings they also have physical implications. In fact God ordained work for men by giving Adam the first job…-tend the garden of Eden, name the creatures….etc.- The only people who got welfare were people who were lame or old. If you were healthy, you were expected to work. But if you were old or lame, then CHARITY was given to you by others, NOT by the government.
Report Post »AFeatherAdrift
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:15pmHow awful. To twist scripture and torture the meaning to accomplish a personal goal to be absolved of responsibility for caring for each other. Perkins, like the pseudo-historial David Barton, only abuse scripture in an attempt to justify their political aims. This parable has zero to do with free enterprise or free markets. It is a joke to suggest otherwise. You can consult any of several hundred commentaries to know that. Shame on your for trying to get around your selfishness by trying to place Jesus in your political house. You are being absurd, but then it is Blaze after all…home of the anti-intellectual.
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:19pmThere’s always Huffpo …
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:57pmPseudo-historical David Barton? You must be kidding. Please share your credentials so I can be equally impressed with you as I am David Barton, an incredibly knowledgeable, scholarly minister and historian!! Please list your published books.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 6:06pmBy the way, a survey was done and GB watchers and Blaze posters are better educated and more well read than the MSNBC or CNN viewers!
Report Post »Shotgun167
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 6:31pmIt’s almost as bad as twisting the welfare clause of the Constitution to have the government take responsibility for social welfare in an attempt to absolve yourself or your social responsibilities.
Report Post »Guttersmack
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 6:46pmJesus never forced anything on anyone, nor did he force anyone to do, or believe anything. That the concept of force is even linked to Christ is absurd. You truly are as a feather in the wind, no understanding of truth to anchor you.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 7:16pm@ AFeatherAdrift
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:15pm
How awful. To twist scripture and torture the meaning to accomplish a personal goal to be absolved of responsibility for caring for each other. Perkins, like the pseudo-historial David Barton, only abuse scripture in an attempt to justify their political aims. This parable has zero to do with free enterprise or free markets. It is a joke to suggest otherwise. You can consult any of several hundred commentaries to know that. Shame on your for trying to get around your selfishness by trying to place Jesus in your political house. You are being absurd, but then it is Blaze after all…home of the anti-intellectual.
Report Post »———————————————————————————————————————–
Forrest, Forrest Gump, is that you?
heartitorleaveit
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 11:11pmyou dont have to argue with the antichrist guys! Folks like fedelcash have no soul and wont read quotes from the Bible anyway. If they do there job is to create a mirror image just like Islame does. Yhis is the definition, and mission of the antichrist. They dont even know they do it. The hate takes over and it spills from there lips and fingers.
Report Post »To deny the existence of Jesus is foolish. And a lie. :]
encinom
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:27pmRichard Beeman an acutal scholar and hstorian has on a number of time destroyed the arguments of Barton, pointing out there various falsehoods. Again, the truth does not fit into Beck’s agenda, so he ignores it for more fear and paranoia.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:13pmTony Perkins got it right. I enjoy reading his email newsletters even when there are points I disagree on.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:12pmI’ve been reading the Bible more and more recently, more than ever in my life and I was raised in church. Since being born again I have felt such peace and such an understanding as I read the word of God., an understanding that I did not have before.
Report Post »The Lord never wanted us to just take without earning and everything we do should be for His glory not our own.The ungodly have always corrupted the bible for their own purposes and they are doing it now.
The only thing that is free is our salvation given to us with His sacrifice on the Cross.
Cesium
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 7:32pm“Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.”
Report Post »― Isaac Asimov
momrules
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 8:07pm@cesium……………Asimov was a scientist, humanist and author. I place my beliefs is the word of God, not man and never an atheist.
Report Post »rush_is_right
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 9:13pmcesium, did you ever read it? I‘m betting you haven’t.
in other words, you don‘t know what you’re talking about. the bible has stood for millenia…and the atheist critics are, or will be sooner or later, dust…and the bible will still be standing.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 9:56pm@Cesium: “Propery read, the history of science is the most potent force for ignorance ever written.”
Report Post »–Walter I. Baltzley
Guttersmack
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:07pmThe idea that Jesus would ever FORCE anything on anyone or FORCE any issue at all, shows a complete lack of understanding about the man and his life’s work…more likely it is political distortion. No difference.
Jesus was the opposite of FORCE. He was love, manifest in flesh.
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:25pmAmen. GOD said I DON’T WANT YOUR BURNT OFFERINGS I WANT YOUR LOVE.But he will not force you to love him that wouldn’t be real love.He gave us FREE WILL individuals can choose to love him or not and anyone who says COLLECTIVE SALVATION is decieving people.It is a personal relationship with GOD and JESUS CHRIST you either believe or you don‘t there is no maybes or you believe some of it and some you don’t.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 8:29pmAvengerk-He said everything He needed to say, and the commandment He left us with is to love one another as He loved us. No ill will towards each other-including tho ones who do not yet understand His mission in life-is a start to living His commandments. Maybe we can start here without yelling at each other.
Report Post »Komponist-ZAH
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:03pm“Jesus was the opposite of FORCE. He was love, manifest in flesh.”
Well said. And what is socialism but the deification of force as a tool for the satisfaction of envy and covetousness?
Report Post »Swancman
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:58pmIt is amazing what you can discover when you read the whole Bible and research the actual meaning behind the words. Jim Wallis and his left-wing “Christian” horde can kiss my butt!
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:12pmAbsolutely. Without any hesitation.
Report Post »HairRazor
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 6:29pmobamanation, that was right on time.. spoken promptly and confidently in a warm low tone and with that definite air of assured deception.
Report Post »JesusFreak4321
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:57pmI‘m pretty sure Christ’s message was simply that He is the Bread of Life, that He is the Resurrection, and that anyone who believed in Him and in what His death and resurrection did and does for us would have everlasting life. That was His message then and now. He didn’t come to side with anyone on political matters. He came to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:06pmEnough with the “what would Jesus do” garbage. Jesus did EXACTLY what he was sent here to do. He said EVERYTHING he was meant to say to us. Enough second guessing and speaking on behalf of Jesus from both atheists and believers. God’s only son completed his mission here on earth perfectly..said all he meant to say, did all he meant to accomplish. Jesus made his position clear about men’s affairs and politics. He overturned the merchants‘ tables at the temple to state clearly that you do not pollute God’s house with the greed and commerce of men. He told Pilate exactly what you do about taxes and government..”render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s”. Jesus’ business on earth was beyond the affairs of men. He came to us as redeemer and saviour, not economic advisor and wealth redistributor.
Report Post »memyselfandi
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 6:43pmJesus ran off the money changers because they were being unfair in their business deals in the name of God…not because He was against capitalism.
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:56pmYou mistake forgiveness with accountability.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:53pmWas not Jesus a carpenter, did He not use His trade to support himself?? The left is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy out there on our Savior! And it WILL come back to haunt them!
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 9:29pmNo, JOSEPH, his step-father, was a carpenter. Jesus worked with Joseph until he came of age (30) and then he became a travelling minister. As such he lived off the charity of others
Report Post »Rush Limborg
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:49pmAbsolutely!
It gets better. In the full parable, the lazy servant goes, “Sir, I know you’re a hard man, who GATHERS WHAT HE DOES NOT SOW,” etc.
In effect…the lazy servant makes like an Occupier.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 9:33pmNOTE in the King James Version of the Bible, the master gave the least of the servants one TALENT of money. Since we are dealing with a ruler, we can assume he means one talent of GOLD. A talent equals 75 POUNDS of gold. That is a HUGE sum of money! At todays prices it would be worth about 1.7 MILLION dollars!
I would be offended too if I was called stingy and greedy after giving him so much!
Report Post »Loi
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:40pmWow I love to hear the true Word of God!!!!!! So right to the heart of the whole!!!!
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:37pmI’m pretty sure Jesus believed in the Ten Commandments. The 8th, 9th, and 10th would apply to the Occupy Wall Street thugs.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:35pmJesus taught reality, reason, mental stability, self denial…..to understand Jesus you must first be sane and second sane. Self denial is a conversation all sane people need to have on a semi regular basis.
Report Post »stoptheliesbho
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:27pmJACKPOT. this guy hit the nail on the head. i love this insight.
Report Post »Lloyd Drako
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:26pmOK, but with what did the disciples in fact occupy themselves after Jesus’ departure from them? Not for the most part with private profit-making, but with arduous journeys establishing and sustaining churches far and wide, often supported by wealthy patrons or the small contributions of humbler believers.
Time to stop it with this What Did Jesus Mean (that validates what I believe)?” Jesus had nothing at all to say about free market capitalism or socialism, since neither had ever existed or been conceived. He was not addressing America or the 21st century, being ignorant of the former and probably believing the world would end long before the latter.
Report Post »InTheSieve
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:32pmThe disciples chose a life of sacrifice that they knew would likely end in a brutal death. Their devotion to their faith meant that they could expect no support from any government and they asked for none. They survived by their own industriousness and the charity of churches and patrons. The government compelled no one to help them and in some instances expressly forbade it. The disciples were not asking for wealth to be redistributed by the government. They were not occupiers asking for the government to fix the world. They were apostles teaching the world that every individual had to choose for themselves how they would live their life and whether they would follow the Messiah. So any occupier who wants to claim that Jesus was teaching state collectivism is off-base. And any Christian who says the occupiers (and others) should follow the teachings of Christ may want to examine how much sacrifice they are willing to make in their own life. I think many of us are a little glib in our representations of how Christianity or any other philosophy applies to others and a little pompous in how we claim we are living it ourselves.
Report Post »AJDeCarlo
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 7:56pmThere is an important point you made, probably on accident. The Apostles did exist off the charity (!) of others. They didn’t apply to Caesar for a government subsidy.
Also, pseudo-Christian Leftists like to misinterpret the story of the man and woman who kept some of the money back from the sale of a possession (Acts 6). They love to claim that because the man and woman didn’t give everything they had to the “commune”, they were struck dead. The actual Scripture states that they were entitled to keep what was theirs; they were struck dead for LIEING about it.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 10:43pmjesus never left them
Report Post »Locked
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:26pmYou can twist Scripture either way. Oh my gosh, it says Occupy: it must be for the lefties! Oh man, it emphasized individuality; must be for righties!
Instead of twisting the words of Jesus, I’m content to let the message speak for itself. Believe in and follow Christ and you can live forever. Trying to twist the meanings of the words into modern-day political and ideological movement perverts His teachings. Keep it simple, stupid.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:13pmAgreed LOCKED. Jesus said and did all he meant to say and do. There’s no debating or “what would Jesus do” about it. His business was far beyond that of man’s business.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 9:59pmAgreed, people need to stop “cherry-picking” scripture.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:25pmIf Christianity had not become dominant in the West, we would have no free market system.
Report Post »junior1971
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:24pmJesus was cool.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:15pmJesus IS cool
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:19pmIndeed, Jesus emphesised the indiviudal; accountability and responsibility before God of the self, while teaching compassion and love and hope/joy/peace to grow as we work togeather. It is a part of the path each of us follows unto salvation found in and through Christ.
Report Post »PPMStudios
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:28pmAmen….
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 4:47pmAccountability and responsibility, except when it comes to your perceived sins. You’re fine letting Jesus take those.
Report Post »Carter John
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:10pmModerationisbest
Report Post »We are still accountable for our sins, before the cross Jews had to sacrifice animals to roll back their sins a year. After that year they had to roll back not only their previous sins but the new ones too. When Jesus died for us he became an everlasting sacrifice, to cover our sins till we face the seat of judgement. though the sins are covered our bodies will still tell of those sins, such as killing someone the murderers still have the psychic scars. And if you commit adultery and get AIDS you still have to deal with it. By no means is Jesus’ death a free ride card to not be responsible for your choices.
ModerationIsBest
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:18pm@CARTER JOHN
What are you babbling about?
Only illogical thinking would dictate that a better sacrifice than animals, is a HUMAN.
You didn’t refute what I said, just explained why your thinking it is “rational” and “true”, which it’s not.
Feel free to keep believing that someone died for your sins and that you‘ll live forever if you believe he’s your savior.
Forget the fact that Christianity is not original and takes some of its beliefs from Judaism, and then hijacks it for their own cause. Much like Judaism took some of their beliefs from people before them, then hijacked it for their own cause.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:20pmMODERATIONBEST…Jesus is not a “get out of jail free card”. He bore our sins when he was humiliated, tortured and nailed to the cross to die. We did that to him because we are mankind. His father, our heavenly father- went through the same pain he had us go through many times previously but in a selfless act of love for us, he allowed his son born as a man- to bear all our transgressions and sins as the way to our forgiveness. Jesus told us how we get to heaven…we don’t do it by continuing to sin and then giving it to Jesus to pay for. Why…that would almost be very leftist of us wouldn’t it?
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:26pmModeration … Judaism is the old wine skins … and Christianity is a new wine skin. Nothing is copied or hijacked. It’s all in the Bible.
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 5:49pm@Aveng
Christianity(especially Evangelicals) believe that all humans are worthy of hell, it is through Jesus they are saved. Fact is, no matter how many “sins” you commit(which are innumerable), as long as you believe in Jesus, you are saved from death. It is exactly what you described(which is a phrase I did not use so i don’t know why you have quotes around it and attribute it to me) a “get out of jail free card.”
@Obamanation
Christians believe you have to believe in Jesus and that he died for our sins and that he is our savior. That is the ONLY way to God. Fact is, Jews don’t believe that. How funny that Christians say, “Jesus is God”. That way you can worship and love him, without breaking the 1st commandment. How ironic. You claim to worship the same God, fact is your own book says you don’t.
And if you knew much about history, you would know about the religions and beliefs system that were prevalent before Judaism, and what they believed in and how they worshiped. You would see that Judaism adopted a lot of previous cultures/beliefs and fit it to a belief they liked. Christians did the same thing to Judaism, Islam did the same thing to Christianity and Judaism, and Mormonism did the same thing to Christianity.
Why when I speak to believers do I get the feeling that they believe that Judaism was the first religion to exist? You do realize that the earth is more than a couple of thousand years old right?
Report Post »maccow
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:59am@Snowleopard I appreciate the thought and civility your postings bring to these discussions…BUT;
Indeed, Jesus emphasized the individual; accountability and responsibility before God of the self, while teaching compassion and love and hope/joy/peace to grow as we work together. It is a part of the path each of us follows unto salvation found in and through Christ.
I agree, Jesus’ teachings were not directed at the US or THEM but at the YOU of the individual and was about accountability and responsibility towards God which is understood as righteousness. But Jesus’ teachings were not about compassion, except in God showing compassion to sinful men by Jesus’ death on the cross. He demonstrated love by His death on the cross. He taught that hope is found in His death and resurrection just as true joy and peace are found in faith in His work on the cross. In short Jesus didn’t “Teach” the way for us to have compassion, love, hope, joy, and peace with each other. He demonstrated that He was the way to have compassion from, and love, hope, joy and peace with God. He warned His followers that the by following this path the world will hate you as it hates Him so be not of the world.
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