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Little wonder
that "moneychangers" represented by CNN as experts on Jesus, sound
more like info-mercial hucksters selling a get rich quick scheme. On the CNN special "What is a Christian?", Paula White seemed to be in love with the sound of her voice along with her hair, manicure and makeup more than Jesus. Jerry Falwell, as usual, was much more about hate than love. T. Jakes was less offensive, but was very light on anything in the way of serious discussion of the complexity of modern life. Only Rick Warren of "Purpose Driven Life" fame had it right. Only Rick Warren mentioned the poor at all and he has put his money where his mouth, by giving all of his wealth directly to the poor and infirm. Warren ridiculed the others of his ilk for spending millions building institutions to promote political ideology, or indulging in personal pleasures of the flesh at the expense of desperate poor and sick people who contribute to them. "The Purpose Driven Life" stresses good works as the way to true happiness. Wealth and popularity will not do it. One only needs to look at Charlie Sheen or any other celebrity train wreck for the proof. My favorite teaching of Jesus says, "It would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven". I think the extreme exaggeration expressed here was intended to put to rest any debate on the meaning of this! The fundamentalists use literal translation of the Bible to bolster their arguments, but only when it suits their political position. Many try to minimize the significance of piety in these words of Christ, by saying the nickname for the narrow passage into Jerusalem was called the "Eye of the Needle". However, it is hard to imagine that Jesus is referring to this, because he was not from Jerusalem and was talking to visitors to the city, who would not be familiar with the local nicknames. From the example that Christ presented when he lived among us, it is clear that Jesus was adamant about the evil of riches and the importance of piety. Many so-called Christians deny this truth because it goes against the capitalist mentality, that has always been the prevailing school of thought in the industrialized world. That is how the story about the passage in Jerusalem came to be. It is an attempt to convolute the true meaning of the verse, that it is practically impossible for a rich man to live in the spirit of Christ. There is no doubt what The Sermon on the Mount is about, which is generally accepted as one of the best documented words ever spoken by Jesus. Greed and materialism, or the "love of of money" is the root of all evil. This is so clearly stated that it is impossible to misinterpret. Looking back on history, we see that this could be evidence of God's wisdom. He really did know that being pious would be the most overlooked and under emphasized part of the faith, because of the selfish nature of man. He made it so clear and memorable, it might stand out above the clamor of Get rich and be happy books and tapes. Jesus drove the money changers from the temple with a horsewhip. This was the only time the Bible depicts Christ ever "losing it" and acting out violently. Maybe that example dictates how we should deal with those who seek to profit from the Church today. Many Evangelists are nothing more than peddlers of false hope who have turned simple doctrine based on love and peace, into a complicated, pyramid scheme, all for the sake of profit. What would Jesus do? I personally believe there is no way these wealthy evangelists, too many to mention, could ever really believe in the God of the New Testiment. Even with just a basic knowledge of the teachings of Christ, no true believer could live in opulence at the expense of the poor, when Jesus was so clearly against this. They are all nothing more than charlatans, bilking the most desperate of people. They better hope there is no God, for their sins are many and grievous. |