Politics has given a new definition to the word spin. In political parlance, it means to twist the obvious into such an unrecognizable shape that the unwary won’t know that what is said or written was the truth. The purpose of spin is to mislead to promote an agenda or cover up what proves to be an embarrassment for the speaker. But now Nancy Pelosi, the dim-witted liberal Democrat Speaker of the House has not only spun the Old Testament, she has invented chimney corner scripture to promote earth worship. Her behavior can be classified as, if the Bible doesn’t say what I want, I’ll quote it with what I think it should say.

According to a news report, [I]n her April 22 Earth Day news release, Pelosi said, "The Bible tells us in the Old Testament, 'To minister to the needs of God's creation is an act of worship. To ignore those needs is to dishonor the God who made us.' On this Earth Day, and every day, let us pledge to our children, and our children's children, that they will have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature." Not only that, but she has repeatedly used that line or ones similar to promote the worship of the earth. (See the CNS link for the story.)  However, Paul has some words in Romans 1:25 for people like Pelosi, Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Read the entire Chapter for the full context.) Plainly put, there isn’t any excuse for Pelosi and her ilk twisting the Bible message other than to for political gain.

Another favorite spin is to use the Bible to prove that the message of benevolence to believers to help those in need justifies the use of law (force) to take from one to give to another. That is known as income redistribution by government edict. The politicians and their supporters take the view that since wealth is wrong, it is okay to take it. They use the rich man as an example by quoting Matthew 19:23-24 or Mark 10:23-25. The liberals think that if you’re rich, you can’t go to heaven, so we’ll help you by tasking some of your wealth from you to ensure that you will have a better chance of entering heaven. But they are wrong because Jesus didn’t mention heaven, he said kingdom of God and there is a vast difference.

When the message of Jesus is read in context the liberal’s use of scripture makes them look foolish. The issue is who or in what does one trust. Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! (Mark 10:24) Trust is the operative word. The rich man trusted in his riches rather than God so it would be hard to enter God’s reign or rule (kingdom) since he didn’t want to give up his material wealth. Thus, Jesus used the analogy of the eye of the needle in reference to entering into God’s kingdom. And nowhere did Jesus imply, much less state, that it was the government’s responsibility to force the rich man to give to the poor.

One other issue is the poor. The liberals are big on the poor since it gives them the excuse to help people end their trust in their riches. The liberals similar in mind to the disciples who didn’t think it was right the woman to pour an expensive ointment on Jesus. Matthew 26:8-9 reveal their thinking and attitude. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, [T]o what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. What can we learn from the scene? First, the property belonged to the woman and second how she chose to use her property was none of their business. The reply of Jesus set them straight.

Note the statement about the poor in verse 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. Jesus didn’t say why they were poor. It could be from circumstances beyond their control, poor choices, or for other reasons. The fact is the poor are a fact of life and the Bible gives two remedies among many for helping the poor. One is found in I Timothy 6:17-18: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Verse 17 is similar to Mark 10:24. Attitude of the rich is addressed as well with highminded or as Paul wrote in Romans 12:3: For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; Also believers with more must be willing and ready to help others, the teaching of verse 18.

Then the other teaching for the poor is found in II Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.  The last part of the verse means that those who won’t work should not expect others to feed them. But that isn’t the way of the government when they spin to prove that others should be forced to provide for those who refuse to provide for themselves.

When the words of the liberals like Pelosi and others of her ilk are exposed by the Bible message, it shows that they are no better than Simon the Sorcerer in attempting to deceive their audience. In Sorting It Out, it is obvious that charlatans abound everywhere and unfortunately, the United States Congress is full of them with Nancy Pelosi leading the parade with many others following.

04-24-2008 DEC

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=/Culture/archive/200804/CUL20080423b.html