When the words of Holy Scripture become circumstantial –sometimes they apply, other times they don’t – doesn’t that diminish their authenticity as guidelines for living a better life?
Quoting scripture is not my strong suit, but I can google with the best of them. In that search, finding out what the Bible says about “vengeance” is revealing. Scripture is pretty clear about not taking vengeance into our hands, but rather leaving it to God to mete it out as He sees fit and in His time.
Deuteronomy, Hebrews, Leviticus, Proverbs, Psalms, Matthew, Romans, Peter, Ephesians – to list a few – all provide this same advice and direction. Not too many passages say: “Revenge! Go for it!”
So how is it that revenge is a cornerstone of the GOP presidential candidate’s campaign and that is not decried by his people, many of whom hold the sacred Book . . . sacred? Having been declared “The Chosen One” (Natasha Owens’ song), Donald Trump is vowing to take revenge on multiple individuals such as Joe Biden, Alvin Bragg, Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama for perceived wrongs done to him. In doing so, is he cast as the Hand of God, made manifest in this corporeal plane, and with all his customary modesty, declare this the Lord’s work, by manifesting himself as the Sword of the Lord?
Shall righteousness follow in his footsteps as he doles out vengeance for any slights, real or imaginary?
And will the GOP, in sanctimony united, disregard Biblical wisdom, and wrap themselves in self-righteous hypocrisy and blasphemy?
Josh Joswick
Bayfield
