The Need for Sound Bible Teaching in the Capitol

Since we have been going through the Sermon on the Mount in our studies I have become more aware of how often politicians missquote, missapply, or simply miss the point of this passage of Scripture.

The Sermon on the Mount was quoted a number of times in floor sessions during our own recently completed legislative session.

In a recent speech on the economy, President Obama quoted the Sermon on the Mount:

"There is a parable at the end of the Sermon on the Mount that tells the story of two men. The first built his house on a pile of sand, and it was destroyed as soon as the storm hit. But the second is known as the wise man, for when “…the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house…it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”

"We cannot rebuild this economy on the same pile of sand. We must build our house upon a rock. We must lay a new foundation for growth and prosperity – a foundation that will move us from an era of borrow and spend to one where we save and invest; where we consume less at home and send more exports abroad."

(Link to Transcript of President Obama's speech at Georgetown.)

The obvious point of the passage is missed:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock..." (Matthew 7:24)

It is not surprising when the Word of God is handled this way by those serving in government. Many believers and churches today deal with this passage in a very similar manner. It just points out how great is the need for a ministry such as ours to boldly and accurately proclaim and teach the clear message of Scripture. We need men who "accurately handle the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) and teach it to our political leaders in West Virginia and throughout our nation.