A certain presidential candidate used the word “bloodbath” recently. There is some debate about in what context he said it. Was it a threat? A prediction? Something else? Just for kicks, I searched my bible for any passages that mentioned both “blood” and “bath”. And look what I found:
The righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance done;
Psalm 58:9-11
they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.
People will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
surely there is a God who judges on earth.”
I don’t know what to do with that.
I, for one, have no desire to “bathe (my) feet in the blood of the wicked”, and I hope I’m not alone. But looking through the Bible, both New and Old Testament, there are several passages along the lines of Romans 12:9. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says The Lord.” Gulp.
Many mainstream Protestant types, me included, tend to downplay this idea of divine retribution, but it’s there. There were many folks back then, and still are today, who understand God primarily to be the wielder of justice–and the punishment that may come along with it. Certainly, there are Christians who see their political opponents as condemned sinners who need to be punished.
I’m not one of them. And no, if there is a supreme judge who lays down punishment, it is not some politician with a bad case of verbal vomit. Instead, here’s what Jesus said:
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For the judgment you give will be the judgment you get, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.
Matthew 7:1-2
Only God can judge, right? Unfortunately, fear of judgement is a great motivator. My great great great great grandfather (or grand uncle?), Jonathan Edwards, made a living talking about “sinners in the hands of an angry God.” Somehow, I don’t think he would approve of my slightly more optimistic preaching style.
God as an angry judge is a concept we shouldn’t ignore. It’s there to be wrestled with. But at its worst, the idea may motivate some to zealous rhetoric and actions. For me, I just can’t get away from those three words that form the foundation of who I am and what I believe: God is love.
Here’s what John has to say:
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate a brother or sister are liars, for those who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.
1 John 4:18-21
I guess this is a case of dueling scriptures. What do you think? Some see the Bible as a weapon. The way I read it, love wins.
Does it win presidential elections?
WE will have to be the judge of that.
Have a great week,
Mitch
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