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The New Pharisees

From Media Matters: “On the September 20 broadcast of James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio show, Ken Hutcherson, pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, Washington, identified ‘three types of looters’ in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. ‘The first set,’ Hutcherson said, ‘came in, stole clothes, stole food, stole appliances, stole televisions.’ Then he stated, ‘The second set of looters ... was the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons,’ whom he accused of ‘[coming] in and [saying] they are representing all the black community. ... They are the ones who said they are stealing power from us.’ Hutcherson continued: ‘[T]he third set of looters that's even worse, that's taking advantage of this whole situation, is the liberal minds who's [sic] trying to take over our courts.’ Continuing his criticism of ‘liberal minds,’ Hutcherson asked Dobson, ‘[C]an you believe and understand, 17 out of 17 states voted against same-sex marriage? ... Then the courts came along and says [sic], “Your vote is unconstitutional.”’ Dobson replied, ‘That's looting.’ According to his website, Hutcherson was a ‘three-time special guest speaker on the Billy Graham Crusade team.’ Hutcherson has been a staunch opponent of same-sex marriage and has organized several protest events, including a ‘Mayday for Marriage’ event that, according to an October 15, 2004, Washington Post article, was held ‘to decry same-sex marriage and “let everyone know God is in control” of the [2004] elections.’ Hutcherson has made repeated appearances on the air with Dobson, who affectionately calls him ‘Hutch.’”

Point One-For those out there you are Christians, you should be aware of this Bible passage: “¹⁵If your brother sins against you,^[a] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. ¹⁶But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'^{[b] 17}If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17. It never ceases to amaze me that Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are acceptable targets to the Religious Right with no repercussions whatsoever. Whatever their faults, whatever their sins, as long as they profess Christ, as a Christian, people like the “good” Reverend Dobson or Robertson, or Hutcherson have an obligation to go to them and talk to them like brothers with honest differences. While I can understand (not excuse or agree with, just understand) why it may be so for these people to dismiss Reverend Sharpton over his past, the animosity directed toward Reverend Jackson I just don’t get. Yeah, he had an affair, but the Bible refers to David as a man after God’s own heart, and not only did he sleep with and impregnate a married woman, he had her husband killed. If God can forgive David, why is it these so called righteous people can’t seem to but Reverend Jackson’s sins behind him? Do these men know more than God? Point Two- Why is it the Religious Right are so sure they know God’s mind or His intentions? Jesus said: "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 11:27; "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." Luke 10:22. Do these men, born in sin just like every other man know the mind of God more so than Jesus? Point Three- I cannot recall one single incidence of a Christian being jailed, shot, hung, or stoned for being a Christian in the United States of America. I can recall people being shot, beat up, blown up, and shot for not being the Religious Right’s ideal of a Christian. Jesus refused to answer question of government, but talked exclusively of spiritual matters. An example on taxes: “¹⁵Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. ¹⁶They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. ¹⁷Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ ¹⁸But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? ¹⁹Show me the coin used for paying the tax.’ They brought him a denarius, ²⁰and he asked them, ‘Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?’ ²¹’Caesar's,’ they replied. Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.’ ²²When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.” Matthew 15-22. While John the Baptist raged against the king, Jesus kept all his teaching focused on the soul. Nowhere could I find in the New Testimate that we are charged to tear down governmental authority, but to be concerned with the ultimate authority of God. That does not mean we should not, in a free society vote and fight for what is right, it does not mean we should not be full citizens. I respect those who argue against abortion simple because they believe it to be murder. But no one has the right to judge another human being on their morality, especially those who seem confused about morality. Is it moral to loudly support any regime that ignores the needy? Is it moral to support any war against people who have not attacked you? Can you seriously see Jesus supporting capital punishment? (Crucifixion is an ancient form of execution for those confused.)

¹Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ²to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. ³At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 1-5

There are none righteous-no not one. By writing this I have violated parts of Point One, but I feel honor and duty bound as a Christian who votes Democrat more times than not because of ALL my beliefs, not just one or two to let people know what a real Christian (not that I am not a sinner, I have fallen far, far short and I have never walked on water) is like.