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Sun, Nov 06 2011 21:51:19

Jesus, The Bible, and Occupy Whatever

I went on a little Twitter rant Saturday afternoon when I saw a tweet that claimed Jesus would support the Occupy Wall Street (#OWS) protestors. Here's what I had to say about it.

  1. jimmiebjr
    Want a quick test to see if someone knows the Bible? Ask them if Jesus would be out protesting today.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 14:51:44
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  2. jimmiebjr
    Jesus cared not one whit about government except inso far as its officials abused their positions to assume positions of religious power.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 14:53:32
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  3. jimmiebjr
    Even then, Jesus didn't call out the Pharisees for their governmental abuses but their spiritual ones.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 14:53:47
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  4. jimmiebjr
    Jesus' famous "Render unto Caesar..." comment was an utter refusal to play the political game and remind his followers of his true mission.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 14:54:25
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  5. jimmiebjr
    When Jesus chased out the moneylenders, he didn't do so because they lent money but because they corrupted His Father's house.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 14:55:35
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  6. jimmiebjr
    Note that Jesus did not tell the rich young ruler to sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the government, but to the poor directly.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 14:58:43
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  7. jimmiebjr
    There is, in fact, no Biblical basis for government-based charity for the poor. It's all individual/church-based.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 14:59:49
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  8. jimmiebjr
    In fact, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessolanica: "...if any would not work, neither should he eat".
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:02:17
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  9. jimmiebjr
    Further, Jesus specifically endorsed profit with the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:03:42
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  10. jimmiebjr
    In the parable, a rich man gave money to three of his servants (5,2,1) and went out of town.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:04:18
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  11. jimmiebjr
    when he returned, the servant with five talents had invested it and made five more. he was rewarded.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:04:35
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  12. jimmiebjr
    Likewise the servant who was given two talents made two more and was also rewarded.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:04:50
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  13. jimmiebjr
    The third servant took his one talent and buried it. He did not lose it, but he did not increase it either. What happened to that servant?
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:05:43
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  14. jimmiebjr
    His boss called him "wicked and slothful", took away his money and gave it to the servant who has earned the most.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:06:22
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  15. jimmiebjr
    The lesson from Jesus? Those who have will get more and have abundance. Those who have not, and make not, will have theirs taken away.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:07:30
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  16. jimmiebjr
    Note that Jesus did not punish the rich man for rewarding his profitable servants and punishing the unprofitable one. On the contrary.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:08:27
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  17. jimmiebjr
    Oh, but did Jesus talk about government? Not directly, though he did provide a model for how a person should conduct themselfes.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:11:52
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  18. jimmiebjr
    In Mark 10:42, Jesus specifically pointed out earthly authorities who "excercise lordship" over those they governed.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:13:43
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  19. jimmiebjr
    In the following verses (43-44) Jesus then turned that model upside-down and said tht the greatest in his spiritual hierarchy must serve all
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:14:35
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  20. jimmiebjr
    In other words, Jesus eschewed those who exercised power and told his followers that the "great" should "minister" to those under them.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:16:18
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  21. jimmiebjr
    Is this a specific statement about government? No. Not directly. But Christians used it as a model for representative democracy.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:16:55
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  22. jimmiebjr
    Throughout Jesus ministry he taught each of us to give as we have received, but never, ever to demand what we have not earned.
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 15:19:21
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  23. jimmiebjr
    A little thought assignment: Ever wonder why Jesus threw the moneylenders out of the Temple, but not from anywhere else?
    Jimmie
    Sat, Nov 05 2011 16:45:59
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