It would be easy to dismiss such gimmickry as mere fringe. Fisher and his reenactors have been reported on by numerous media outlets, going back to Glenn Beck’s 2010 announcement of their formation, but more recently because of their participation in the Jan. 6 rally. Now the group is part of a pastors’ conference at one of the country’s largest evangelical universities. And the special rate for pastors who attend, according to the conference organizers, is a “special subsidized all-inclusive rate that has been covered by VERY generous investors.”
Who these “investors” are, the site doesn’t say.
It’s common, of course, for organizations to underwrite travel and lodging for those they want to educate about a cause. Usually, the sponsoring organization is upfront. One can hardly blame an underpaid, overworked pastor for taking up an offer for a short vacation. But a minister of the gospel ought to be wary.
In the churches of my youth, it was controversial (and sometimes forbidden) for performers or guest speakers in church to sell their music, books or other wares in the foyer after the service. This prohibition was based on the New Testament account of Jesus driving out all those buying and selling in the temple and turning over the tables of the money-changers. But when he accused them of turning God’s house into a “den of robbers,” Jesus was quoting the Prophet Jeremiah, who admonished religious leaders for abusing, cheating and oppressing people in the name of the Lord.
With eyes focused on the narrower question of whether or not it was biblical to sell Christian CDs and books at church, it is easier to be blind to larger systems and structures that would swindle the church by taking her eyes off Jesus and replacing America in his place.
Such are the true robbers. Such are the tables that Jesus will overturn.
This article originally appeared here.
