I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!
We have seen a lot of the attitude, conviction and spirit of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor-Greene over the past two years as she has put herself front and center as a far right wing extremist with some of the most ridiculous and provably wrong conspiracy theories that circulate around these days. Not only are her conspiracy theories lies, with plenty of evidence to destroy their credibility, but her demeanor and attitude defies the characteristics and virtues which the gospel of Jesus says are an inherent part of a believer's character. She has now come forward with a statement that is evidence of her lack of Christian spiritual conviction, an attack on Senator Rafael Warnock's faith.
"Do not judge," says Jesus, in the gospel of Matthew 7:1, "so that you may not be judged."
There's not any circumstance, short of a personal confession, under which Taylor-Greene could know anything about Senator Warnock's Christian faith and be in a position to judge its validity. She is calling her own faith into question, dragging it into politics with this kind of accusation and obviously feathering her own nest and her own political ambitions. And using Christian faith for personal political ambitions is not the gospel that Jesus preached, that the Bible defines and that Senator Warnock, as a pastor, preaches from his pulpit. His responses and his conduct through this whole campaign have set an example for Christians in politics to follow. And it's quite a contrast to that of the shrill chattering of Marjorie Taylor-Greene.
She's jumped on the bandwagon of the white supremacist Christian Nationalist movement which distorts and denies foundational principles of Christ's gospel, and abandons every virtue found in the narrative known as the "Sermon on the Mount," like "blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," "blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God," and "Love your enemies, and pray for those who despitefully use you." Using political power and influence is exactly the opposite of what Jesus described as the Kingdom of God. Satan tempted him with that kind of worldly power early on, and he turned it down. But some of those who claim to be his followers are picking it back up.
In contrast to Taylor-Greene, Senator Warnock's responses demonstrate his Christian convictions and his trust in the words of Christ.
"You have heard that it was said, 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth'," is a direct quote of the words of Jesus in Matthew's gospel, chapter 5. "But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer."
Beyond that, Jesus goes into the familiar narrative of turning the left cheek to someone who hits you on the right one, and walking a second mile with the person who compels you to walk the first one. Senator Warnock's responses to critics like Taylor-Greene, and for that matter Herschel Walker, in this campaign have preached the Christian gospel as clearly as it can be preached.
For with the judgement you make, you will be judged and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Matthew 7:2, NRSV
By questioning the sincerity of Senator Warnock's Christian faith, Taylor-Greene has, according to the scripture, opened her own self up to judgement by the same standard. He's set an example consistent with the biblical description of a follower of Jesus Christ. She's preaching a different gospel.
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