The last sentence of a letter to the Arkansas Democrat–Gazette Voices column, 11-19-2009, ended with the words, I am no authority on Christianity … and parts of the letter proved it. The one part that was partially correct was the statement A basic principle of Christianity is to minister to the less fortunate. The error is the fact that there isn’t any teaching found in the Bible known as Christianity. (As an aside, Christianity has become a religion that is foreign to the teachings of Jesus.) The principle he stated is not quite correct in that Christ and the apostles taught believers  to minister to the needy, not the less fortunate since that could mean anyone who has less than someone else; and which forms the basis for the pernicious government called socialism; plus the health care bill the unlearned want so desperately.

 Then he proved he isn’t an authority on the Bible, by writing, [T]here is an opportunity here for church leaders to speak out in support of the need for universal medical car [sic]. It isn’t the job of church leaders to preach universal health care. Preachers are to teach and preach the gospel and the members are to present the risen Christ to the world through teaching and daily living. The writer also shows the lack of knowledge of the Constitution by wanting Congress to reach a consensus on health care; ignoring the fact health care isn’t constitutional.

Those who know little of the Bible teachings or the Constitution or both are quick to tell others what they should be doing. Why don’t those who see the need lend a hand to help others instead of telling other what to do? They are like the Pharisees who were fond of telling others how to live but they themselves didn’t follow their own teachings as Jesus said, For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. (Matthew 23:4) The truth is that believers are to help those in need, and if not a believer, do it anyway out of human kindness. However, it is easier to watch Congress extract funds from others to force them to do what other individuals refuse or neglect to do. 

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that Jesus told anyone to pay taxes to support government programs that are not proper governmental duties. Nowhere does it say that government is to assume the responsibility of individuals to help others in need. If church leaders preach a social gospel (the writer thinks they should) which defines universal health care, believers should take offense toward anyone who preaches such nonsense. 

 At the end of the letter are the following words that show the writer’s utter lack of biblical understanding: but the concept that I gain from the Bible is that Jesus would stand up for what is right.  Jesus did stand for what is right; he said to help the needy and do God’s will in all things. In  Hebrews the following is recorded, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2) The words, these last days in the sentence are the days before the destruction of Jerusalem; not the days in which we live; but the principle is the same. Jesus has spoken and we need not wonder what he would stand up to do. He has told us.

The Bible is full of Christ’s teachings on the matter and what he said, and I repeat, is for individuals to take care of the needy. To reinforce that read the words of Paul, As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)  Those words were to individuals: the members of the church at Galatia. The teaching is plain. Help those in need and do not insist that the government do it or force others to pay more taxes to do it. God, Jesus and the apostles agreed on the matter. It is a consensus and it arrived without the help of  Rome or Congress.

© 11-19-2009 DEC