Justin Bieber and Creflo Dollar Read the Lectionary

Both Justin Bieber and Creflo Dollar were in the news this week. And I admit, the circumstances were quite different. So different, in fact, that I won’t be linking to the news stories about the Biebs but will happily display Dollar’s contribution above!

(I will add that one could certainly argue over which headline was actually more offensive.)

However, a Complex interview with Justin made the rounds a week or so ago, which does add some linkable context to this post. Because in that interview Justin was rather forthright about his faith, which has been one of the key ingredients in his recent “comeback” – you know, from bratty celebrity hijinks and a growing pariah status in pop culture, to getting serious about his music and fans and making better choices (ha ha?). Bieber is happier, more comfortable with himself, and in touch with a (shirtless) higher Purpose.

He also makes really terrible metaphors comparing church to Taco Bell, but I digress.

Meanwhile, Creflo Dollar likes to tweet all things Word of Faith and Prosperity Gospel, but may have taken home the Blatantly Heretical Atonement Theory of the Year award with the tweet pictured above. That said, it is not at all surprising – this is what the Word of Faith movement has been teaching for nearly a century. But it is striking to see it all contained in 140 in-your-face characters.

It is even more striking that the Gospel reading in today’s Lectionary text is the story of the rich young ruler. Dollar, of course, would not be aware of this irony since he inhabits a novel and invented theology completely divorced from the Great Tradition of the church. But in case you too need a refresher on this story about a rich young man who asked Jesus how to get eternal life, here’s the main thrust:

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. 

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

Prosperity gospel enthusiasts are, of course, well aware of this passage. And they are masters at rationalizing and explaining it all away. The most popular tactic is misdirection – but what about Abraham’s wealth or all those verses in Proverbs about prosperity, huh?!  Or, they will just rely on exceptions – like, even Jesus said that all things are possible with God! So rich people CAN get into the kingdom! Or, it’s not money that’s the problem – it’s the LOVE of money!

Etcetera.

But what these (terribly reasoned and dishonest) misdirections and exceptions miss is the clear and consistent teaching of Jesus in the Gospels – which manifests itself throughout the New Testament, most notably in the formation of the church in Acts 4 – to the effect that the inauguration of the kingdom of God entails a brand new economy. And this, of course, is in keeping with the prophetic tradition that decries economic oppression and demands the forgiveness of generational debt/poverty and the equalizing of societal wealth so that there is no longer a rich class and a poor class. Jesus himself begins his ministry by hearkening back to one such prophetic utterance when he “fulfills” the text of Isaiah 61 in the synagogue.

And this is where Jesus is coming from with the rich young ruler. The young man believes himself to have kept all the commandments and to be walking the “straight and narrow.” His religion makes him happier, more comfortable with himself, and connected to a higher purpose. But he is unsure about whether he will enter the eternal kingdom, probably because he has caught wind of the teaching from this new rabbi-messiah.

Jesus confirms that he lacks one thing. His economic status places him in the seat of the oppressor, and the kingdom of God demands divestment in order to empower the poor all around him. The direction of his life has to change – not perfectly, but significantly. His trajectory must shift from accumulation, excess, and hoarding to giving all he can, all the time. And apparently, misdirections and exceptions will not do. 

Jesus loves this rich and powerful young man. But the young man walks.

The distorted theology of “superstitious capitalism on crack” and exploitative excess as the blessing or favor of God, practiced by folks like Creflo Dollar, has likely influenced Justin Bieber’s understanding of his faith and life. And (at least) one thing is lacking.

Rather than jumping to exception clauses or claiming “all things are possible” while continuing to amass unchecked, oppressive wealth and power (often at the expense of the working poor), both Creflo and Justin should read the Lectionary.

They should know that Jesus loves them. And that he bled and died for them so that they and everyone else can enter in, now and forever, to a whole new kingdom economy which is really, truly, good news for the poor.