Bible Bias

I was perusing postings on an Evangelical web-forum, and I came across this anti-Catholic rant about wealth.  I thought it interesting that the "face-value" sense of Scripture's words had led this Evangelical to egregious conclusions.  Fortunately, as seen at the bottom, one of the Evangelical moderators rhetorically admonished him. 
 

Are these sacred scriptures ignored by the Catholic Church, among many others?

The following quotes are all from the Gospel of Matthew:

19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

Are we not just like this man, questioning how we can have eternal life?

19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? <there is> none good but one, <that is>, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

How can we call ourselves good if only God is good?

19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19:19 Honour thy father and <thy> mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
These are surely the commandments that we have no choice but to keep?
19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

And if we feel we do these things, then surely we are only as good as this man?

19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go <and> sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come <and> follow me.

And is it not written in fact that we must be perfect?

5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Do we not in fact have to do precisely the same thing that that rich man did?

19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Is this not in fact the response of nearly everyone? Are not nearly all supposed Christians in fact just like this rich man who walked away? Is this not infact the response of those people who are responsible for guiding the people? Those responsible for the organisation of the church? Does that not mean that they have disobeyed what is written in the scripture, what was said by the Son of God? Is the church not in fact run by rich men?

19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Does this not mean that the church is in fact like that camel who Jesus described?

19:25 When his disciples heard <it>, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Does that not indeed call into serious question who it is that will be saved?

19:26 But Jesus beheld <them>, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Does this not mean that in fact everyone who follows his word will sit with Jesus and with him judge those who claim to follow God?

19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

And is this not just what Jesus had told that rich man to do, and repeated to all the people over and over?

10:37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
10:38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

By walking away sad, does that not mean that the rich man, and anyone like him, loves his father and mother, son and daughter more than Jesus? That they have not taken up their cross? That they cannot call themselves a follower of Jesus? That they are unwilling to lose their life?
Does that not mean, according to what Jesus said, that anyone like this man is not worthy of Jesus?

19:30 But many <that are> first shall be last; and the last <shall be> first.

On earth, that rich man was first. He had money and possessions so he was considered greater by people because he had those riches. The poor on the streets with nothing were considered the least because they had nothing. According to Jesus, does that not mean that in fact it is those who are first on earth, who will be seen as the last by God, and those who are last on earth will be seen as the first?

Does all this not mean that the Pope, for example, who is surrounded by many riches and is seen as the first, will in fact be the last and not the first? Will it not be the same for all who follow his example,

Does this not mean that in fact even the Pope and all his followers are not worthy of Jesus? Does this mean they false prophets? Are they, and all their followers hypocrites?

7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

And does it not seem that they are not doing the will of the Father, since they refuse to renounce their riches?

7:22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
7:23
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Is this not what will happen to them? Are they condemned to hell?

And according to Jesus, would it not be better for the Pope and those in charge of the churches, for a millstone to be tied round their neck and they be thrown into the sea?

Indeed for the 'prophet' Mohummed and all his followers also?

The above poster was then rhetorically rebuked by one of the Evangelical moderators who said:

Is THOU perfect as the Father is perfect?" Yeah you, I'm asking you.

Anyway, my point in capturing this exchange was to show that using an unguided, "face-value" sense of Scripture can lead a student into horrendous conclusions.

Back to Home