Posted on 01/02/2009 11:02:52 PM PST by AlaskaErik
Jesus, the prophet and teacher from Nazareth, was killed by a group of Jerusalem elites who collaborated with the Roman Prefect, Pontius Pilate. Jesus was an irritant to every person who had a privileged position in the political, religious, social and financial system. His reputation as a critic of the dominant officials of his day was well-earned. He leveled his criticism of the wealthy and the powerful in almost every teaching session he led.
“Jesus died for our sins” might be an acceptable theological statement, but it is fraud as a statement about how and why he was martyred. The rich and powerful of Jerusalem had heard about this rabble rouser from the north before he came to Jerusalem for the last time. The last straw was when he went to the Temple and created a public disturbance of monumental proportions. Jesus was horrified with what was going on in the Temple. His creation of chaos in the courtyard is a classic example of street theater. In a society in which protest was not allowed, the fate of Jesus was sealed. They killed him.
My father-in-law was a great, one-of-a-kind man. He was a highly principled man. He was one of the most generous men I have ever known. His confession of faith was simple. “My maker and I are on good terms.” Even though he gave generously to the church, as an adult he never attended public worship. He could not tolerate the community elites who served as church officers and to whom the churches catered.
Christian churches have made friends with all the wrong people. As a result, our Christian pulpits are silent about almost every critical social issue and especially about money, wealth and the dangers of being selfishly rich.
Money and wealth were central to several of the parables that were told by Jesus. We read the parables and usually miss the point. We do not understand or relate to the economic system of first century Palestine. One parable is less difficult to understand. It is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
Lazarus was a miserable beggar who sat at the gate of a very rich man. The rich man lived the good life. He ignored the needs of Lazarus. Lazarus died and went to be with Father Abraham. He was content at last. The rich man died and went to hell. He was in torment. He called out to Abraham for help. Abraham told him it was too late.
Every time I read the story of Lazarus and the rich man I ask myself, “What is so difficult to understand?”
Rich people who fail in matters of generosity are going to hell. That is what Jesus taught. As I understand his style of ministry, Jesus told this story over and over again. He probably repeated it a few times in Jerusalem before he went to the Temple and created chaos.
As I understand the teachings of Jesus, he believed that none of us own anything. Everything belongs to God. The wealth we privately hold is held in trust. We are expected to use wealth wisely and generously. In his parable of the talents, people were given wealth in varying amounts, but everyone was held accountable.
America is not a Christian nation. America was never intended to be a Christian nation. However, religious people are American citizens. We religious folk have a responsibility to speak about the moral and ethical standards of our faiths. It is appropriate to bring our moral and ethical understandings into the public square and join the debate about how we as a nation will behave both nationally and internationally.
The United States and the world are headed into financial crisis. Is this a time for Christians to bring the values of Jesus to the discussion table? Yes. Here is the message.
Americans have made a lot of people rich. In our recent history, we have made it easier for people to become rich. They have become rich at the expense of the poor.
The United States has recreated the story of Lazarus and the rich man.
The year 1980 was critical. At that time nations such as Sweden and Japan began asking questions about economic inequities. Ratios between the wages of workers and executives were considered. In Sweden the ratio settled in at 8-1. In Japan, where worker/shareholders are common, the ratio became 16-1. In the United States the right to attain unlimited wealth triumphed. The top federal income tax was lowered from 70 percent to 28 percent. The ratio between earnings of workers and executives quickly rose to 145-1. That ratio is modest compared to 2008. By 1990 the top one-fifth of the American population was receiving more than 50 percent of the nation’s income and held more than three-quarters of the nation’s wealth. In the past eight years, all of the economic growth in the United States has ended up on the balance sheets of the wealthiest 5 percent of Americans.
Our churches are an embarrassment to Jesus. On issues of economics and wealth, our pulpits are and will remain silent. The rich and powerful assassinated Jesus for speaking out. Just now it is not easy for preachers to tell their wealthiest members that they are going to hell.
The Rev. Howard Bess is pastor emeritus of Church of the Covenant, an American Baptist church in Palmer. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.
He’s a member of the American Baptist church, not at all to be confused with the Southern Baptists for example. The AB have been moving to the left since the 1970s, have a significant number of black congregations, and are a member of the National Council of Churches. Such an article is not at all surprising coming from that background.
BTW, I’ve heard similar arguments from a number of pastors here in Alabama. Usually pastors of inner city black congregations. Some have almost claimed that it is a sin not to vote for tax increases. (On the rich of course.)
What you say may well be true, however, it has been my experience with majority of Baptists I know they are born and bred democrats. From the most educated, doctors lawyers down to the stand in line welfare recipients. Has nothing to do with location or a particular race. These people bought whole hog that President Bush is an unscrupulous politician who went to war over oil and only pushed a tax cut for his 'rich' brethren. Oh and he was handicapped because he is not well spoken.
They have become rich at the expense of the poor.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Pure Marxist drivel. Dangerous drivel!!!
If the wealth is honestly created, that wealth represents increased health, security, comfort, and sometimes just pure fun for everyone in society ( including the poor!) Wealth that is honestly generated provides jobs which keep people from being poor.
By the way, Jesus preached about **personal** charity. There NO example of Jesus proposing that the Roman guards take money from the rich to give to the poor.
I wonder if this dufus of a writer would rather have 50% of $10 or 1% of $100,000,000?
Only someone who is guilty of breaking the Tenth Commandment ( envy of your neighbor's goods) would be worried about the income gap between the poor and the rich.
When wealth is honestly created the BIGGER the gap the better off ALL will be!
Then I recall His words and remember that what I propose is sinful in itself as I suggest we can turn our society and economy around. Only He can do that and our faith needs to be in Him. If we face hardship it is because that is what He requires of us at this time. Many may come to Faith as a result of the terrible times ahead and THAT is what is important, not our society receiving the Blessings of Liberty through Grace. We must look to the fruit of the coming time.
“As I understand the teachings of Jesus, he believed that none of us own anything. Everything belongs to God. The wealth we privately hold is held in trust.”
This is proven beyond a doubt when we die. It all gets left here for somebody else.
The big difference between this and Marxism is that the first century believers VOLUNTARILY held all things in common. No one required of anybody that they give their wealth to the church. Marxism robs the rich to give to the state. Maybe there’ll be something left over for the poor and maybe there won’t, but the commissars will enlarge their dachas.
He is right in that today’s churches all to often are self-perpetuating and self aggrandizing. Scripture is even misapplied out of context to bind people to the local congregations. “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together” doesn’t imply a steeplehouse and stained glass windows. Misplacing “the sanctuary” is another. The sanctuary of Christ is the believer’s heart.
Don’t jump on the guy for pointing out what we’re doing wrong.
......They have become rich at the expense of the poor. .....
The problem is the poor, not the rich. The poor are not exerting themselves adequately. The poor need to work more to decrease the gap.
I believe I am correct that the “needle” was a small door in the wall surrounding Jerusalem. For a camel to pass through this “needle” or small door, all the packages had to be unloaded from the camel, and the camel had to crawl through on his knees.
So?....All must unburden themselves from unhealthy attachment to wealth and other worldly interests and humble themselves before God.
“Giving 10% of your pretax income to charity is specified in the Bible as tithes and is required by God.”
Where?
American Baptist’s are members of National Council of Churches. They are leftists.
And the guy who wrote this is a pastor?
Jesus did not challenge the economics (consider the Parable of the Talents) or politics of the time (consider Render Unto Caesar).
The only thing he challenged was our sinful natures. The powers-that-were in Jerusalem didn't think of themselves as having sinful natures.
I certainly have a sinful nature and need my Saviour.
I wonder if Mr. Bess thinks he and his fellow Dems have sinful natures. Does he think that if one has the right politics, one doesn't?
Nonsense. Christian churches speak out against abortion regularly.
Rich people who fail in matters of generosity are going to hell. That is what Jesus taught.
No. Jesus taught that those who reject him as the Son of God will go to hell.
In our recent history, we have made it easier for people to become rich.
Nonsense. Tax policies make it harder and harder for Joe the Plumber to break out of the ranks of the wage slaves and into financial independence.
They have become rich at the expense of the poor.
Which poor? The ones driving cars or the ones with big screen TVs?
America is not a Christian nation. America was never intended to be a Christian nation.
The enemies of our nation never get tired of telling that lie!
Good points! thanks.
I think Rev. Wright was saying the same stuff.
Giving is an attitude of the heart. God loves a cheerful giver, and it is easy to see why. A willing, cheerful giver sees what needs to be done, and is happy to give his money, time and efforts to God’s service. “Giving” through higher taxes breeds waste and resentment. Why should anyone help the poor when there is welfare? “They get a government check, then why should I help” is the attitude many have.
“.......it’s been my experience with majority of Baptists I know they are born and bred Democrats”.
Where you from, Boy?
Your Christian roots are showing.
“Your Christian roots are showing”.
Most of the Southern Baptists I was raised around have been Conservatives. That why I asked the question (somewhat tongue in cheek).
There are many types of “Baptists” and yes, some of them are on the Left. But not around here in S.E. Texas except for the Blacks.
And,btw, what did you mean by the statement “Your Christian roots are showing”?
Who did you think you were talking to? Am I suppose to take it as it is written? It is just plain bizarre how unlearned some people are when it comes to the politics within their own denominations.
Every last one of these Baptists I referenced are 'lily' white and born and bred democrats. From the highly educated doctors/ lawyers/ teachers school board members right on down to the get in line for the welfare hand outs. Don't you remember the Billy Graham/Clinton democrats??? And now the Warren/Bama democrats. Or do I have my denominations mixed up I thought these were the heart and soul of Baptist denominations?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.