The Presidency and The Literal Interpretation of the Bible – Beware!

My father was a CFO of a mid-sized corporation and treasurer of a merged company that included Union Carbide Corp. He was a registered Republican in name only! He once told me his Presidential voting record and it was all over the place. At least once he voted Socialist. And occasionally he voted Democratic. Let me explain the reason for his eclectic political viewpoint. His much loved Grandfather was a William Jennings Bryan populist. Bryan three times ran on the Democratic ticket for the presidency. My father at least once voted for Norman Thomas, a Socialist. Thomas ran six times for the presidency. I know what you’re thinking, where am I going with this. Bryan – a champion for the average citizen and Secretary of State in Woodrow Wilson’s administration and who often took pacifistic stances – was a devout Presbyterian. His devout nature caused him to fight against evolution in the famous Scopes Trial. Thomas was a Presbyterian clergyman, a pacifist and had a significant ministry with the least and the lost in Hell’s Kitchen in NYC. Both took the Gospel message literally. They both saw Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the one who said many things about grace and love toward friend and enemy alike / toward all regardless of social or economic standing.
Today a number of people interested in the presidency say that they interpret the Bible literally. They say they are ardent in following the teachings of the One who said pass no judgment on others; who said do not return evil for evil; who said regardless of race or tribe all are cherished children of God. Can you believe he made a Samaritan – someone equivalent to a Palestinian today - a hero in one of his parabolic stories. There is a danger in taking the Bible really literally – it makes the living of each day a little difficult. It humbles us and puts the welfare of others as paramount in going about our daily doings.
I think I now understand why my church attending, Bible reading, financial whiz Father was enamored with Bryan and Thomas. Like them, he too read the words of Jesus and took them literally. I wish both Democrats and Republicans, Libertarians, etc., and, yes, Democratic Socialists took the Gospel literally. It would make a whole lot of difference in how we set our personal and national agendas and how we deal with deficits and jobs and international relations (And how we go about our politics).
P.S. Just started reading a recently released book, Conscience. It is the story of the four Thomas Brothers. Two of the brothers served with valor in WWI and two brothers – including Norman, protested the war and were pacifists. It is written by Norman Thomas’ great-granddaughter. Great reviews.


God of the Living Word, hidden, yet profoundly seen in the words of Scripture, instill in us the courage to live your Word literally. We know it will most likely alter our standard operating procedures with which we have become too comfortable. Yet because you are a gracious God, we also know that you will refresh us and surprise us in our literal living with holy moments in which we experience a delicious taste of your realm. We pray this in the name of the One who spoke and lived your Word so that we might live out in word and deed your love. Amen.