Open Blogging
Something to talk about this week…
““But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.””
(Matthew 25:31-46 NLT-SE)
Theologian and philosopher David Bentley Hart opines:
“I think we can all grant that, when the orange moron currently installed in the White House finally dies, he will have no record of good deeds to present before whatever dread assize awaits each of us. Instead, he will go before the eternal bar encumbered by sins incalculably numerous and unimaginably grave, with not so much as a single virtuous act or noble prompting of the heart or faint impulse of generosity anywhere in his nature to place in the scales over against that monstrously ponderous burden of pure evil.”
I concur with Hart…no matter what he or his supporters say about his “faith”…and it calls into question the faith of those who support him.
Matthew 25 raises a number of challenging questions for Protestant theology, especially for traditions that emphasize justification by faith alone (sola fide), the distinction between faith and works, and assurance of salvation.
1. If salvation is by faith alone, why does the final judgment appear to be based on works?
In the Judgment of the Nations, Jesus separates people based on whether they fed the hungry, welcomed strangers, clothed the naked, and visited prisoners.
“I was hungry and you gave me food…”
The sheep are rewarded and the goats condemned based on actions rather than stated beliefs.
This raises questions such as:
- Is Jesus teaching salvation by works?
- How does this fit with Paul’s teaching in Romans and Galatians?
- Are these works evidence of saving faith or the basis of judgment?
- Why does Jesus not mention correct doctrine, conversion experiences, or justification by faith in this scene?
Classical Protestantism generally answers that works are not the cause of salvation but the evidence of genuine faith. Yet Matthew 25 forces the question because Jesus himself describes judgment in terms of deeds.
2. What is the relationship between faith and mercy?
Many Protestants have traditionally stressed belief, conversion, and personal faith. Matthew 25 seems to stress compassion toward vulnerable people.
Questions include:
- Can someone have orthodox doctrine but fail Matthew 25?
- Does mercy toward others reveal one’s true relationship with God?
- Is Christian discipleship inseparable from social responsibility?
This passage has often been used by Catholics, Orthodox, and many Protestant social reformers to argue that practical love is central to Christian faith rather than an optional consequence.
3. Who are “the least of these my brothers and sisters”?
This is one of the most debated questions.
Possible interpretations include:
- All needy people everywhere.
- Christians in need.
- Missionaries and disciples of Jesus.
- The poor and marginalized generally.
Different answers produce different theological implications.
If Jesus means all vulnerable people, the passage becomes a universal call to social compassion.
If Jesus means persecuted disciples, the judgment concerns how people respond to Christ’s representatives.
The interpretation significantly affects Christian ethics and mission.
4. Is the Gospel primarily about individual salvation or the renewal of human relationships?
Matthew 25 focuses heavily on tangible human needs.
Questions include:
- Is salvation merely about getting people to heaven?
- Does the kingdom of God involve social, economic, and relational realities?
- How should churches balance evangelism and mercy ministries?
This has been a major dividing line between some evangelical and mainline Protestant traditions.
Perhaps the deepest question
Matthew 25 asks whether Protestant theology has sometimes separated what Jesus joined together.
Many Protestants insist that we are saved by faith alone. Matthew 25 asks:
What kind of faith is Jesus looking for when he comes?
The chapter does not portray people being judged for failing a theology exam. Rather, it portrays people being judged by whether their lives embodied the mercy, faithfulness, and love of the King they claimed—or failed—to know.
That question has challenged Protestants from the time of the Reformers to the present day.
What say you?
It’s all yours today…discuss this or anything else on your mind…
Apparently the newly renovated and improved reflecting pool is still as green as Trump’s heart. Trump shouldn’t have used contacts from his own list of contractors; they always do a substandard job, as the people of New York and Atlantic cities learned in abundance during the time he dominated their construction projects.
I understand the reading of the NT that emphasizes texts that imply or indicate that we shall be judged by our works; and, though I don’t believe the Bible, including the NT, speaks with one voice or espouses only one consistent and harmonious theology, and however much I feel in sympathy with the reasons those texts should be interpreted that way, both textually and ethically, it wouldn’t be good for me, because I know I definitely wouldn’t make the cut — I mean, if my salvation depended on that as the last measure. But, if all will be saved, as Hart and others insist, and as I believe, then I certainly can see how, in the process of being made fit to stand in the presence of God eternally, we must all learn to act and be in certain ways, and will learn it through God’s grace of the fiery furnace of purification, his severe mercy, then I can have hope, along with everyone else — including, reluctant as I am to say it, Trump.
I mean, if salvation has to be earned, or completed by good works, otherwise eternal hell, that does not sound like good news to me, it sounds like more religion, which the world already had plenty of when Jesus arrived on the scene. And I don’t think it’s good news for the poor, needy, hungry, unsheltered, or any other group of humanity, because they are not immune, as groups or possibly even individuals, from the guilt of mistreating other human beings, of being greedy, violent, angry, deceptive, etc. — they are heirs of the same bent nature that the rest of humanity has. But as a process of perfection that God graciously imposes on all, not to secure salvation, but to perfect us and make us competent to participate in the beatific vision for eternity — that would be a wonderful certain hope for all, and a source of trust in God to embolden and stimulate good works and works of mercy.
Even if the passage is not meant to apply to all those in need, the parable traditionally called The Good Samaritan universalizes the application.
A decade ago, Mike Bickel (IHOP) addressed a conference with this passage, and his interpretation went like this: The “least of these” is the current nation of Israel. Something to think about, that didn’t age well.
It is a bent of the heart. When we recognize our own sickness (sin) and cry out for healing (salvation) from Christ , we become more aware of and compassionate toward suffering as the Holy Spirit works within us. Therefore it is all one package. Faith and becoming more human like our Savior. The healing goes on and on (repentance) until Christ’s work in us is complete.
Since Christ is our Model and He died for us while we were still sinners, the “least of these” must be all people everywhere (which would include goats, right?)
Sigh… it’s all a mystery.
We are always trying to define who gets in and who stays out, and what we have to do or believe to make sure we get in. But show me even one person who gives to all who ask, no matter how many times they ask; or who turns the other cheek when struck (oh, we find a million ways of not taking that as a literal demand, because every single one of us knows we can’t live up to it); or who gives the shirt off their back to any who ask — if these are among the condition that result in the separation of sheep and goats at the judgment (and how could they not be?), then we are all doomed. Not some, but all.
Joel G,
I think you have it as close to right as we can get…
Robert F,
Thank you for your valued thoughts here…
I do know one thing…someone who shows none of the graces mentioned should check themselves…
Terry,
Most of Bickles words didn’t age well…
Agreed Robert F.
The goat within us needs mercy or we’re doomed indeed. Perhaps Christ separates the sheep and goats in our own hearts.
JoelG, As you said, it’s all a mystery. I have to rely on the universalist texts of the NT and trust that it’s a gracious mystery that encompasses and includes all, and hell is not punitive but corrective and so therefore not everlasting conscious torment — otherwise, I know I’m toast, burnt toast, because I know my own heart and it’s as dark as a heart can be.
I see the paint in the newly renovated reflecting pool is peeling too! Trump is known throughout NYC and Atlantic City for hiring people who do shoddy work, and he’s done it again, but now he can have the taxpayers fix it rather than just leaving it as is as he did in all the buildings he had constructed and then abandoned.
Not to worry — there’s gold plating under the paint.
Being without Christ is the ultimate sickness. This is a state of being that causes compassion. I cannot imagine being at peace eternally knowing anyone is suffering in such a state. My hope is in reconciliation for all, as well.
The rats had a retired Olympian arrested for touching peeling paint in the reflecting pool — they love to punch down, and have taught civil servants to do so. I predict this guy will walk away from court with all misdemeanor charges dropped. What an embarrassment this administration and the culture it’s created are to this country.
Wow. I just want to say I happened on this website simply because I was looking into someone affiliated with the mega church in Applegate. (This comment also comes from a person with sexual and emotional trauma)
First, as a former believer, that I am impressed and moved to tears that there are Christians out there that are truly following Jesus’ teachings. Praise to y’all.
I moved to Southern Oregon in 1989. I was raised Catholic, but never adopted any kind of “faith”. In 1990 I found myself pregnant with a guy that was out on parole for robbery and murder. I decided it was best for all to end the pregnancy.
Shortly thereafter (as I grieved) I found myself seeking a group that catered to women that had abortions. This eventuality led me to the mega church.
I was never exposed to evangelical churches where the music was great and people were happy and I was “forgiven for my abortion”. I was 23, highly vulnerable and was quickly sucked into what I now consider a cult.
I married a man that was 16 years older than me and mutually introduced by folx in the mega church. We had a child and I stayed married even though I was forced to have sex with my husband even when I was “not in the mood”. At times cornered and slammed against a door for “sexual play” against my own protests and resistance.
Fast forward. I finally decided that staying in the marriage simply because I was convinced it was best for my child – was doing a disservice to my daughter because I wasn’t modeling what true love and marriage should look like.
I divorced to much disdain to my evangelical friends. I raised my daughter mostly myself with the “Christian “ father giving as little support as he possibly could.
Anyhow. I finally left the church simply because I started questioning my beliefs and faith as a result of direct judgement from the “Christians” around me.
In my 30’s I raised my daughter as well as falling in love with a same sex partner (this came as no surprise to me).
I am currently single. My daughter is 29 and her partner is 28. Wonderful kids that work hard to pay rent etc. They are a “queer” couple. Yet they are the first to show up when I need help or their neighbors need help. And always happy and humbly provide help to those in need.
I had to leave Southern Oregon after my mom passed of pancreatic cancer. My “evangelical family” was toxic. To the point that I couldn’t sit by my mother’s bedside without watchful eyes. Yet it was they who took off with my mom’s hospice medication of opioids and other addictive medications on a normal setting.
As someone who has literally given the shirt off my back for family and strangers I felt so disconnected with “evangelical Christians “ and their hypocrisy. I never expected perfection from them , but I was disappointed when the traits that Christ taught were easily abandoned, and I was seen as the outcast.
I now live in Central Oregon simply to be near my daughter and away from blatant Christian hypocrisy.
In my journey, I’ve come to realize that the LGBTQIA community is more of a community than the Christian churches I have attend. I even feel like they are more Christian like in spite of heavy judgments. It was this community that picked me up, cared for me and fed me when I was most “naked”. No judgement. Simply acceptance and overflowing love. Something I never experienced in my family of origin or in the church.
I wanted to share my story in hopes that y”all keep doing what Christ taught and the most important of the commandments. “To love your neighbor as you love yourself “ or something to that sort.
The LGBTQIA community is not your enemy. There are many Christians in this community. We welcome EVERYONE except those who practice exclusiveness and hate.
Anyhow, thanks for allowing me to have a voice here. I still believe Christ existed and his teachings are invaluable to mankind. That is if they are not manipulated.
I do not claim biblical teachings or what should or should not be. Only my own person experiences and they are not fully disclosed here.
Keep on clothing the naked, feeding the hungry and leave judgement for God. And I will do the same.
May we meet in “heaven”
KC,
Thank you for sharing your story.
I’m in Southern Oregon and I also help with a Facebook group called “Applegate Survivors”…of which there are many and you are one.
I hear your story…and pray you stay well…
Thank you for sharing your story KC.
You are not alone. Our experience with the church has been different but there are so many similarities. JD
I will say the same thing about Trump i have said about Obama, Biden, Bush, etc. I am not close enough to make that call. I only know he’s a Pragmatist in Conservative clothing. Whatever a President does he/she will recieve a thousand knives in the back for doing it.
I thought this was pretty cool… President Carter’s denomination… sounds pretty good to me!
Cooperative Baptists Challenge Christian Nationalism, Advocate for Loving Neighbors
https://publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/cooperative-baptists-challenge-christian?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email