This Week in God.... (Maddow blog)

[AlbertCat]

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/week-god-53015?cid=sm_fb_maddow



First up from the God Machine this week is an unexpected scriptural debate over how to read one of the more widely known verses in the Christian Bible.

Matthew 25:40 includes a phrase that many have likely heard, regardless of their faith tradition: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” The phrasing is generally seen as championing the needs of the poor – to turn your back on those struggling is to turn your back on God.

But my colleague Will Femia this week flagged an amazing report from Glenn Beck’s conservative website, The Blaze, which put an incredible twist on Biblical interpretation.
Denny Burk, professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky, most certainly isn’t the first to make the claim that the “least of these” is actually a reference to Christians who face struggles in sharing their faith, but his stated view on the matter is the most recent proclamation to spark interpretive discussion.

“This text is not about poor people generally. It’s about Christians getting the door slammed in their face while sharing the gospel with a neighbor,” Burk wrote. “It’s about the baker/florist/photographer who is being mistreated for bearing faithful witness to Christ. It’s about disciples of Jesus having their heads cut off by Islamic radicals.”
I see. So, against the backdrop of the right-to-discriminate debate, conservatives want “the least of these” to refer to themselves.

(continues at link)

[RussBLib]

1. now THAT is blasphemy

the casualness with which they redefine the Babble is breathtaking in its arrogance and impudence.

Thanks for posting these. I often forget to check that one. So many things to remember...

[mr blur]

2. There is nothing that these greedy idiots won't twist to make it justify their bigotry (nt)

[Major Nikon]

4. That's the great thing about the bible. You can read it however you want.

There is some manner of biblical precedent for their interpretation, although perhaps not what they intended.

Jesus really didn't give a shit about gentiles. On a few occasions he would do them a favor, but his teachings were directed at Jews, because after all Christ was a Jew and a Rabbi. So his "brothers and sisters" actually meant the Jews, which also kinda leaves Christians out in the cold.

[AlbertCat]

3. “least of these” is actually a reference to Christians

Can there be Christians before Christ is resurrected?

Isn't Christ a Jew at this point?


And of course...

Why do you think it's all about "me...Me.....ME....."?