Biblical reasons to discount biblical pundits

Scott Ross, who writes a blog at cbn.com (cbn is Pat Robertson's christianist network), provides his readers [especially those concerned that Obama might be the anti-Christ] with a variety of biblical admonitions regarding voting, rulers and the role of believers.

These biblical admonitions, he says, are "ultimate truths" which "should give you peace and assurance that everything is under God's control, and He was not surprised by the outcome of the recent election."

That's a relief. I'd sure hate to think God wasn't up there pulling strings. He must have wanted Obama in the White House so we'll just have to put up with "that one."

But Mr. Ross offers a disclaimer: "These following verses get into the realm of individual free will and the ultimate sovereign will of God and His eternal purposes, which we don't always understand but must trust."

I don't get it. If God wanted us to understand something, why can't he just say so loudly and clearly so that everyone knows exactly what the hell he's talking about? How about a voice from heaven or an announcement on CNN from God's throne room - kinda like the pope prognosticating from his papal chair in Roma?

We need direction and clarity about this god stuff and bible stuff. If you tell ten people to read the same passage in the bible you'll get ten different interpretations. And that often leads to ill-will, anger, fistfights and lots of murder, as we've seen all through history. Seems like a pretty dumb way to do business.


Okay, here's a few of Ross's quotes. He's put them in categories and the first category is "God votes!"

1. Cast your votes but God has the final say (Proverbs 16:33) The actual wording from the Jewish Study Bible is: "Lots are cast into the lap; The decision depends on the Lord."

2. People are urged to "Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God" (Romans 13:1)

[This is nonsense, of course, and is a good example of what happens when you read the bible literally with the belief that it contains no errors or contradictions. Does Mr. Ross believe that Stalin and Hitler and Bush were "placed in power by God"? How about Saddam Hussein? My god, we took old Saddam out! If was placed in power by god, we're in deep ca-ca!]

3. "Because of Me, kings (all rulers) reign, and rulers make just laws. Rulers lead with My help, and nobles make righteous judgments." (Proverbs 8:15-16) The actual wording here, again from the Jewish Study Bible is: "Through me kings reign and rulers decree just laws; Through me princes rule, Great men and all the 'righteous judges."

[What Ross doesn't tell us is that this is one of the poems to the goddess, Wisdom. So that doesn't help much.]


Ross's other categories are: "...some good reasons to pray for those in authority;" and what to do "if you don't agree with a government's policies;" and "All rulers are ultimately accountable to God; whether they, or the nation, believe it or not;" and "...finally, be assured, God puts term limits on leaders."

He builds those categories on biblical foundations. For example, we are to "Pray for kings and all others who are in authority." We must "Never make light of the king, even in [our] thoughts," because "The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord."

Now, if you don't like your prez, remember this from Psalm 109:8: "Let his days be few, and let another take his office." Hell, I was praying that from the first day Bush took office but it took god almost 8 years to toss the clown out!


There is more but none of it makes any sense. Psalm 109:8, for example, is probably part of an enemy's curse, a common thing in the ancient Near East, and has no relevance whatsoever to our modern world.

Furthermore, biblical contradictions abound! They are embarrassing! But Ross's attempt to make the bible somehow relevant to 2008 exposes the impossibility of such efforts. He, like so many christianists, simply do not take the bible seriously for what it is, but use it like a magic charm.

Got a problem? Need some advice? Are you lonely? Feeling bad? Well, just thumb through the bible until you find a verse that gives you an answer or makes you feel better.

Like I said, it's Magic!


You can read Ross' article in its entirety here.