For too many the name of the Christian God is Ka-Ching ...

"who suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (1 Timothy 6:5f.), when it's the other way around: The godliness is the great gain.

Do not dishonor the poor

Listen, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you, is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme that honorable name which was invoked over you?

-- James 2:5ff.

The near poverty of Jesus' family was shown by what Mary offered for her purification after Jesus' birth

Doves in America today run about $25 while ewe lambs run upwards of $500

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

-- Luke 2:22ff.

And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: ... And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.

-- Leviticus 12:6,8

Perhaps it was Jesus' personal experience of exploitation of his own family's poverty which lurks in the background to this passage where he speaks directly to the sellers of doves:

And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. 

-- John 2:14ff.

See also:

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,  

-- Matthew 21:12

And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 

-- Mark 11:15

The detail is missing in Luke 19, where the cleansing of the temple is only a summary affair.

Jesus could little abide, and he and his followers could little afford, the annual Temple Tax

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

-- Matthew 17:24ff.

Tyrian Full Shekel, equivalent to 3.43 denarii (3.9 grams silver per), the price of two Jews' Temple Tax

It is noteworthy that Jesus never pronounced "Woes" on ordinary temple priests

Click the image to enlarge

The only caricature of an ordinary priest per se is offered indirectly in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30ff.).

Otherwise the Woes are explicitly pronounced on Chorazin, Bethsaida, the world, the scribes, the Pharisees, the teachers of the ignorant, those with child or nursing at the end of the world, the betrayer of the Son of Man, the rich, the full, the laughers, the respected, the lawyers, but never the priests.

This is consistent with Jesus' high view of the temple and its functionaries, however they may have fallen short of the righteousness which Jesus thinks was appropriate to it.

Matthew Harrison, LCMS President, accurately diagnoses what ails the church abroad

The only problem is his own synod generally and leadership in particular in the United States are variously infected with the theological pathologies he cites.

Quoted here:

Realizing the highest growth potential is abroad, the synod is in fellowship with more than 30 church bodies worldwide, particularly in Latin American and Africa. Harrison says Lutheranism “sputters and fails” anywhere clergy don’t have extensive seminary training. For that reason, he said, church leaders in Ethiopia and other areas have asked the Missouri synod for theological support.

“They know they need pastors against glory theology, against prosperity theology and against all kinds of charismatic nonsense going on in Africa,” Harrison said at the conference. “If we are going to stand tall against the culture, if we are going to be intense about reaching out, church planting among cultures of immigrants, nonwhites, etc., we cannot shirk seminary education. It is our crown jewel because it teaches our men what they need to know and give for the gospel.”

The ruling authorities: Placed there by God but also by the devil

Paul in Romans 13.1 says there are no governing authorities except those from God and placed there by God:

οὐ γὰρ ἔστιν ἐξουσία εἰ μὴ ὑπὸ θεοῦ αἱ δὲ οὖσαι ὑπὸ θεοῦ τεταγμέναι εἰσίν.

But Luke 4.6 has the devil claiming otherwise, that the authority of the kingdoms of the whole world belongs to him and to whomever he wishes to give it:

Σοὶ δώσω τὴν ἐξουσίαν ταύτην ἅπασαν καὶ τὴν δόξαν αὐτῶν ὅτι ἐμοὶ παραδέδοται καὶ ᾧ ἐὰν θέλω δίδωμι αὐτήν.

Despite claims to the contrary in Matthew and John that Jesus now has all authority in heaven and on earth and over all flesh, Paul acknowledges in 1 Cor.15.25 and elsewhere that governing authority (v. 24) persists in opposition as an evil enemy until the end, until which time Christ must exercise his rule in a process of subjugation:

δεῖ γὰρ αὐτὸν βασιλεύειν ἄχρις οὗ ἄν θῇ πάντας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ.

The idea that the enemies still remain enemies at the end of the world (εἶτα τὸ τέλος) means that this remains a mythological worldview which characteristically deals in conceptions which are both absolute and not absolute at the same time, allowing proponents of this thinking to traffic freely in logical contradiction. 

Christ reigns, but not thoroughly. The authorities are appointed by God, but some of them still follow the devil. 

PetSmart won't comment about pet animal vendor cited for 117 violations of federal Animal Welfare Act

a Zebra finch

On occasion our society treats pets worse than we do our own unborn.

Did I just say that?

From the story here:

The company has already lost business as a result of the publicity surrounding its facility, with Petco announcing in January it dropped Holmes as a supplier. PetSmart, however, refuses to say whether it is still getting animals from Holmes.

If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young: But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days. -- Deuteronomy 22:6f.

Miracles have declined in proportion to the increase of our wealth

An old chestnut related by the dear departed F.F. Bruce in his 1988 commentary on Acts 3.6:

According to Cornelius a Lapide, Thomas Aquinas once called on Pope Innocent II when the latter was counting out a large sum of money.

“You see, Thomas,” said the Pope, “the church can no longer say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’”

“True, holy father,” was the reply; “neither can she now say, ‘Rise and walk.’”

When Jesus himself wasn't just poor, but poor in spirit

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. -- Matthew 26:38

And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. -- Mark 14:34

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? ... Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. -- Matthew 27:46,50

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? ... And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. ... And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. -- Mark 15:34, 37, 39

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. -- Luke 23:46

When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. ... Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. ... -- John 11:33ff., 38

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. ... Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. -- John 12:27, 44

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. -- John 13:21

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! -- Luke 13:34

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, -- Luke 19:41

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; -- Hebrews 5:7f.

The poor in spirit according to Joseph Benson

From the English Methodist minister Joseph Benson, 1749-1821, here:

But it seems much more probable that the truly humble are intended, or those who are sensible of their spiritual poverty, of their ignorance and sinfulness, their guilt, depravity, and weakness, their frailty and mortality; and who, therefore, whatever their outward situation in life may be, however affluent and exalted, think meanly of themselves, and neither desire the praise of men, nor covet high things in the world, but are content with the lot God assigns them, however low and poor. These are happy, because their humility renders them teachable, submissive, resigned, patient, contented, and cheerful in all estates; and it enables them to receive prosperity or adversity, health or sickness, ease or pain, life or death, with an equal mind. Whatever is allotted them short of those everlasting burnings which they see they have merited, they consider as a grace or favour. They are happy, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven — The present, inward kingdom, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, as well as the eternal kingdom, if they endure to the end. The knowledge which they have of themselves, and their humiliation of soul before God, prepare them for the reception of Christ, to dwell and reign in their hearts, and all the other blessings of the gospel; the blessings both of grace and glory. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place: with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 66:2. And those in whom God dwells here shall dwell with him hereafter.

John the Baptist's version of repentance was downright un-American: "Be content with your wages"

And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. 

-- Luke 3:14

Stupid statement of the day: "People who live in poverty cannot change the world with the Gospel of Christ"

Raphael's Healing of the Lame Man

For rank ignorance of the early history of the church you can hardly do better than that, and I won't mention who said it but her initials are RS.

Christians basically took over Roman culture from the bottom up through their sustained ministry to the poorest members of society, transforming it so that it eventually became what was called the Holy Roman Empire.

Evidently it is little studied anymore.

A shining early example of changing the world one person at a time without money but with the Gospel of Christ comes from the Acts of the Apostles:

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

-- Acts 3:6

And the Lord, being wise, brought evils upon them (καὶ αὐτὸς σοφὸς ἦγεν ἐπ᾽ αὐτοὺς κακά)

... [B]ut they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.

-- Isaiah 31:1f. (KJV)

Modernity is a war of religious ideas, not a war on them

Very ably argued here, by Dominic Erdozain, from which this snippet on Voltaire:

Rousseau's "heart," Voltaire complained, could justify him in anything. Guided by the "inner voice" of conscience, a man could do as he pleased. From the murderous and adulterous David, in the Old Testament, to any number of latter-day tyrants, Voltaire lamented, history was strewn with icy campaigners who had learned to manage the accusing conscience to expert degree. "There is a natural law," he declared rather plaintively in his Philosophical Dictionary, "but it is still more natural to many people to forget it."

The sin of religious "fanaticism" was to subordinate conscience to the "passions" - under the dangerous delusion that my desire represents God's will. The problem with religion - even in its more acceptable formulations - is that it too often flattered, rather than stirred, the slumbering conscience. The moralizing philosopher defined his task in self-consciously homiletic terms: "it is judicious to endeavor to awaken conscience both in mantua-makers and in monarchs." Indeed, "it is necessary to preach better than modern preachers usually do, who seldom talk effectively to either." Enlightenment was again strangely evangelical.

"Love Wins Fag" cake affair ends with the gay "Reverend" admitting HE added the "fag" not Whole Foods

Story here.

Whole Foods had better lawyers, better evidence and better manners, dropping its counter suit after the admission.

This is one time when a corporation plays the Christian better than the so-called Christian.

Still I wonder. Would they make me a cake for the faggot that says "Love Wins, Maggot"?

Modesty in toileting was exampled among Jews and Persians long before Muslims came along

Rembrandt etching of woman urinating

When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.

-- Judges 3:24 

And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

-- 1 Samuel 24:3

One seldom sees a Persian stop to pass water or step aside in response to a call of nature; so scrupulously do they avoid these and other unseemly actions.

-- Ammianus Marcellinus, Roman Antiquities 23.6.79

There remains even unto this day evidence of their moderate fare and of their working off by exercise what they eat: for even to the present time it is a breach of decorum for a Persian to spit or to blow his nose or to appear afflicted with flatulence; it is a breach of decorum also to be seen going apart either to make water or for anything else of that kind. And this would not be possible for them, if they did not lead an abstemious life and throw off the moisture by hard work, so that it passes off in some other way.

-- Xenophon, Cyropaedia, 1.2.16

Too much humidity, or not enough: God invented Missouri for Lutherans from Saxony, The Great Salt Lake for Mormons from western New York

There's a special hell created for each and every one.

Hindus invoke Shiva to help Trump win election: "Only Donald Trump can save humanity"

The story is here.

The Sacramental Monster of popular Roman Catholicism: Christ remains present through the Eucharist, not through the Spirit

So David Warren, here:

At Mass yesterday, after the singing of Mark’s Gospel, the Paschal Candle was quietly extinguished. Christ has ascended into Heaven, and the flame in the Sanctuary, which through the forty days since Easter had symbolized the presence of the Resurrected Lord upon this earth, itself “ascends.”

We would now be on our own — were it not that Christ remains throughout the Church He gave us, in the Sacrifice of the Mass, until His coming again.

This is the teaching, from the highest source, and it must never be confused or toyed with.

What the Bible teaches seems irrelevant to your average Catholic devotee, that Christ is present by the Spirit after the ascension, constituting the church by an indwelling, not by a rite. Take it or leave it, but that is the plain teaching from the highest source, and it must never be confused or toyed with if we are to remain faithful to the sources. Hence Protestantism.

And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

-- John 14:16ff.

Woman, behold thy son! Disciple, behold thy mother!

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

-- John 19:25ff

EGO TE ABSOLVO

On average 47% of the voting age population does not vote, so why should the "not sure" Christian feel torn about not voting?

Since 1972, the average percentage of the voting age population which actually votes has been 53% in presidential election years. It's even worse in non-presidential election years: 37%.

That means 47% of those eligible to register and vote in 2016 most likely won't.

So why should the Christian who is uncertain for whom to vote this year feel torn about not voting? There is no reason to feel this way. That's the opinion of none other than St. Paul, whom we call a saint to imbue his words with more authority than they otherwise would bear, but whatever . . .. He says in his letter to the Romans:

But he who has doubts is condemned, if he eats, because he does not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

-- Romans 14:23

That's a great principle, which seems to be followed by an awful lot of people in view of the fact that 75% of us claim to be Christians of some sort but a bunch routinely don't vote.

I knew such a man once, very devout and principled, whose admission that he would not vote shocked me. I was young then, and passionate. Now that I am old and passionate, I am not shocked, mostly because I have observed that what happens in human affairs is of little consequence in the big scheme of things. So the principle is a good one, and it even works well in a number of other areas.

For example, in investing: If you don't understand what you're investing in, you probably shouldn't be buying it. Same with politicians, off-label foods in the grocery store, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

Works every time . . . because the Bible tells me so.

Isaiah's God is the creator of everything, including evil

I form the light,
and create darkness:
I make peace,
and create evil:
I the LORD do all these things.

-- Isaiah 45:7 (KJV)