Baptist News Global
Sections
  • News
  • Opinion
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Curated
  • Storytelling
    • Faith & Justice >
      • Charleston: Metanoia with Bill Stanfield
      • Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell
    • Welcoming the Stranger >
      • Lost Boys of Sudan: St. John’s Baptist Charlotte
      • Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church
      • Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center
    • Signature Ministries >
      • Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio
    • Singing Our Faith >
      • Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church
    • Resilient Rural America >
      • Alabama: Perry County
      • Texas: Hidalgo County
      • Arkansas Delta
  • More
    • Contact
    • About
    • Donate
    • Advertising
    • Ministry Jobs and More
    • Transitions
Support independent, faith-based journalism. Donate
Search Search this site

‘The least of these’ too often taken out of context, says professor

NewsBob Allen  |  May 14, 2015

https://baptistnews.com/podcast-player/10361/professor-says-the-least-of-these-are-christians.mp3

Download file | Play in new window

By Bob Allen

The “least of these” in Matthew 25 refers not to the poor but rather the Christian baker and florist persecuted because of their Christian faith, says a Southern Baptist Bible scholar.

denny burkDenny Burk, professor of biblical studies at Boyce College, the undergraduate arm of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said in a May 13 blog the phrase routinely used in discussions about poverty is taken out of context.

“This text is not about poor people generally,” Burk said. “It’s about Christians getting the door slammed in their face while sharing the gospel with a neighbor. It’s about the baker/florist/photographer who is being mistreated for bearing faithful witness to Christ. It’s about disciples of Jesus having their heads cut off by Islamic radicals. In other words, it’s about any disciple of Jesus who was ever mistreated in the name of Jesus.”

Burk said virtually every speaker at the May 12 faith-based poverty summit at Georgetown University used the phrase “least of these” to refer to citizens who live in poverty and need help.

President Obama said he believes that even his political foes are sincere in wanting to help “the least of these.”

“I think that there are those on the conservative spectrum who deeply care about the least of these, deeply care about the poor,” Obama said. “They exhibit that through their churches, through community groups, through philanthropic efforts, but are suspicious of what government can do.”

“And then there are those on the left who, I think, are in the trenches every day and see how important parenting is and how important family structures are, and the connective tissue that holds communities together and recognize that that contributes to poverty when those structures fray, but also believe that government and resources can make a difference in creating an environment in which young people can succeed despite great odds.”

Burk said it wasn’t surprising to hear the panelists speak that way, because that is how the phrase is commonly understood. In the context of Matthew 25, however, he said what Jesus was talking about is the final judgment when it will become plain who are “sheep,” those who will inherit the Kingdom, and “goats,” those who are condemned.

In audio of a recent sermon he preached linked to his blog, Burk said the parable of the sheep and the goats is often misunderstood to imply that Christians earn their salvation by good works, but that reading contradicts other Bible verses that say salvation is a gift from God.

Another thing the text doesn’t teach, he said, is “salvation by social gospel.”

“The social gospel is the idea that somehow the message of Jesus boils down to the elimination of social injustices,” he said. “Feeding the poor, eliminating poverty, ending homelessness, etcetera, all these things — they become the focus of what it means to follow Christ.”

“Proponents of the social gospel will turn to texts like Matthew 25 and they’ll say, ‘See, Jesus says that charity to the least of these is the most important thing,’” he said.

Burk agreed that the Bible says in many verses that Christians have a responsibility to love and act kindly toward the down and out, but in this passage Jesus described the “least of these” as “my brothers,” a term that elsewhere refers specifically to his disciples.

“Brothers is not a generic description of people created in the image of God,” he said. “Jesus reserves the term brothers for those who are his disciples — those who believe and obey his word.”

“When Jesus talks about feeding and clothing and caring for the least of these in Matthew 25, he’s talking about feeding and clothing and caring for his messengers,” Burk said. “And he’s saying that if you mistreat his messengers, you’re mistreating him.”

Burk said that isn’t surprising, because Paul used the term “body of Christ” to refer to the church.

“Have you ever heard someone say, ‘I like Christ, I just don’t like Christians?’” Burk asked. “Jesus says that if you don’t like his disciples — if you reject them — you are rejecting him.”

“There is no version of Christianity that allows you to follow Christ while mistreating his body, and it won’t matter how much you profess your love for Christ if you reject and mistreat his body,” Burk said. “What you do with Christ’s people will tell everything that needs to be told about you at the judgment.”

Tags:Denny BurkPovertyTheology
Bob Allen
More by
Bob Allen
  • Email Signup

    Get Baptist News Global logoBNG headlines in your inbox

  • Embracing the power of story

    Like the rising river in the Arkansas Delta, the persistence of poverty still looms just over the levee, threatening to wash young people down paths of violence, drugs, food insecurity, unemployment, and early death.

    We share a new series in BNG’s Storytelling Projects “Arkansas Delta” as part of our "resilient rural America" theme.

    This series will address the precise focus on literacy and leadership development to build children’s imaginations, the story of Swim Camp where children and teenagers not only learn to swim but learn to pursue leadership, and video interviews of those connected to Together for Hope Arkansas.

    At the center of Arkansas Delta’s fight against poverty and division: an 85-year-old swimming pool

    Imagination is the greatest threat to Delta poverty, Together for Hope Arkansas says

    We created Storytelling Projects because we believe stories, rooted in the Jesus Story, have the power not only to inform but to transform people and communities. They can be sources of spiritual insight, imagination, creativity and hope for all who seek justice and mercy.
  • Featured

    • The national conversation about sexual abuse by Baptist clergy is important. But it doesn’t go far enough

      Opinion

    • Al Mohler says he was wrong about C.J. Mahaney

      News

    • Church with deported member premieres podcast about injustice in U.S. immigration system

      News

    • Survivor says SBC leaders’ response to abuse revelations little help to victims

      News

    Get BNG headlines in your inbox

    Read Next:

    Can Christians come together to reduce the need for abortion?

    OpinionSusan M. Shaw

    More Articles

    • All
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Curated
    • SBC president calls for investigation of churches accused of harboring sexual predators

      NewsBob Allen

    • Ordained. Baptist. Female. And, now, entering retirement

      OpinionKathy Manis Findley

    • Southern Baptist president says database of abusers possible

      CuratedAssociated Press

    • The survivors of clergy sexual abuse who finally pushed the Vatican to recognize the problem

      CuratedThe Conversation

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Al Mohler says he was wrong about C.J. Mahaney

      NewsBob Allen

    • Some pastors optimistic about Millennials, church growth. Stats don’t bear them out.

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • The national conversation about sexual abuse by Baptist clergy is important. But it doesn’t go far enough

      OpinionPeggy Haymes

    • Vatican defrocks former US cardinal McCarrick over sex abuse

      CuratedAssociated Press

    • CBF continues ‘daily bread’ ministry to Central American migrants

      Paid Promoted Content

    • Religion Notes: New CBF leader headed for Texas; GWU elects new president

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Church with deported member premieres podcast about injustice in U.S. immigration system

      NewsBob Allen

    • Can Christians come together to reduce the need for abortion?

      OpinionSusan M. Shaw

    • Leading Southern Baptist apologizes for supporting leader, church at center of sex abuse scandal

      CuratedHouston Chronicle

    • Southern Baptist minister list included sex offenders

      CuratedReligion News Service

    • Jerry Johnson resigns as NRB president

      CuratedBaptist Press

    • Pray for immigrants? We need them to pray for us, minister-activist says

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • 3 faulty assumptions that keep Baptist churches from hiring female pastors

      OpinionDoyle Sager

    • Transitions for the week of 2-15-18

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Southern Baptist Convention report on sex abuse shines a light on evangelical culture

      CuratedNBC News

    • Tornado damaged Alabama church returns $25,000 casino donation

      CuratedThe Associated Press

    • Survivor says SBC leaders’ response to abuse revelations little help to victims

      NewsBob Allen

    • At the center of Arkansas Delta’s fight against poverty and division: an 85-year-old swimming pool

      StorytellingBlake Tommey

    • Paul didn’t pen 1 Corinthians 13 for weddings and Valentine’s Day celebrations

      OpinionNora Lozano

    • ‘Brewery church’ is the latest in craft of luring folks to church

      CuratedReligion News Service

    • SBC president calls for investigation of churches accused of harboring sexual predators

      NewsBob Allen

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Al Mohler says he was wrong about C.J. Mahaney

      NewsBob Allen

    • Some pastors optimistic about Millennials, church growth. Stats don’t bear them out.

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Religion Notes: New CBF leader headed for Texas; GWU elects new president

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Church with deported member premieres podcast about injustice in U.S. immigration system

      NewsBob Allen

    • Pray for immigrants? We need them to pray for us, minister-activist says

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Transitions for the week of 2-15-18

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Survivor says SBC leaders’ response to abuse revelations little help to victims

      NewsBob Allen

    • CBF missions initiative helps students ‘see the bigger picture of what God is doing’

      News

      Paid Promoted ContentAshleigh Bugg

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Newspaper story on sexual abuse in SBC was a long time coming for activist Christa Brown

      NewsBob Allen

    • Religion Notes: Many young adults believe while most aren’t so sure

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Key gospel imperative lost in the hubub of a 24-hour news cycle

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Southern Baptist lawmakers leading the way in seeking Johnson Amendment repeal

      NewsBob Allen

    • CBF leader denounces plan to loosen restrictions on payday loans

      NewsBob Allen

    • Transitions for the week of 2-8-19

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • ‘We’re all missionaries.’ CBF’s Foushees seek to embody mission of mutual support in Tokyo

      News

      Paid Promoted ContentBlake Tommey

    • Western Recorder, second-oldest Southern Baptist newspaper, surrenders control to Kentucky Baptist Convention

      NewsBob Allen

    • Religion Notes: Melissa Rogers returns to WF Divinity; BWA protests arrest of Baptist leader

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Virginia senate passes bill to allow Bible classes in public schools

      NewsBob Allen

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Pastor-chaplain confronts the bad theology facing women in ministry and grieving parents

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • CBF executive coordinator-elect meets the press

      NewsBob Allen

    • Religion Notes: Georgia Baptist Mission Board layoffs follow declines in giving

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Ordained. Baptist. Female. And, now, entering retirement

      OpinionKathy Manis Findley

    • The national conversation about sexual abuse by Baptist clergy is important. But it doesn’t go far enough

      OpinionPeggy Haymes

    • Can Christians come together to reduce the need for abortion?

      OpinionSusan M. Shaw

    • 3 faulty assumptions that keep Baptist churches from hiring female pastors

      OpinionDoyle Sager

    • Paul didn’t pen 1 Corinthians 13 for weddings and Valentine’s Day celebrations

      OpinionNora Lozano

    • Pablo no escribió 1 Corintios 13 para bodas y celebraciones del Día de San Valentín

      OpinionNora O. Lozano

    • Black lives matter to me. Tragically, they mattered little in my segregated upbringing

      OpinionMolly T. Marshall

    • Our culture needs Jesus followers with the wisdom to navigate between righteous anger and gospel tenderness

      OpinionBill Leonard

    • My seminary has closed. But churches are closing too, and it’s time to face some hard questions

      OpinionElizabeth Mangham Lott

    • Evangelicals have lost moral credibility. But there are signs of self-confrontation that could lead to reconciliation, even revival

      OpinionPaul Robeson Ford

    • Why ministers shouldn’t walk away from social media

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Gov. Northam is not an outlier: American Christianity’s tolerance for white supremacy

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • Flight or invisibility: revisiting a classic theological question

      OpinionBrett Younger

    • Letter to the Editor – Queen Did Not Discover Jesus

      Exclude from home page

      OpinionBNG staff

    • Being ‘barely Christian’ as a way of being authentically Christian

      OpinionMolly T. Marshall

    • Letters to the Editor for 02.01.19

      OpinionBNG staff

    • Our disaster-relief success hasn’t moved the needle in addressing poverty. We need to ask why

      OpinionCraig Nash

    • Discovering the human Jesus opens new possibilities for becoming more like Jesus

      OpinionChuck Queen

    • A church for all who wander: the ministry of ‘bringing back’

      OpinionBill Wilson

    • In a culture of shouting, people of faith must address America’s listening deficit

      OpinionJonathan Davis

    • Why CBF exists: to serve congregations and help them thrive

      OpinionPaul Baxley

    • Legislating ‘In God We Trust’: using the state to do the Church’s work

      OpinionBill Leonard

    • Hidden pencils, urgent warnings and instructions Mary Oliver left the Church

      OpinionCarol Davis Younger

    • What churches could learn from Southwest Airlines co-founder Herb Kelleher

      OpinionJeff Hampton

    • 10 bogus ideas my white culture taught me growing up

      OpinionChris Caldwell

    • Southern Baptist president says database of abusers possible

      CuratedAssociated Press

    • The survivors of clergy sexual abuse who finally pushed the Vatican to recognize the problem

      CuratedThe Conversation

    • Vatican defrocks former US cardinal McCarrick over sex abuse

      CuratedAssociated Press

    • Leading Southern Baptist apologizes for supporting leader, church at center of sex abuse scandal

      CuratedHouston Chronicle

    • Southern Baptist minister list included sex offenders

      CuratedReligion News Service

    • Jerry Johnson resigns as NRB president

      CuratedBaptist Press

    • Southern Baptist Convention report on sex abuse shines a light on evangelical culture

      CuratedNBC News

    • Tornado damaged Alabama church returns $25,000 casino donation

      CuratedThe Associated Press

    • ‘Brewery church’ is the latest in craft of luring folks to church

      CuratedReligion News Service

    • 1619: 400 years ago, a ship arrived in Virginia, bearing human cargo

      CuratedUSA Today

    • To Baptist clergy sex abuse survivors: 10 tips from the trenches

      CuratedReligion News Service/David Clohessy and Christa Brown

    • The religious-liberty claim the justices didn’t want to hear

      CuratedThe Atlantic

    • Southern Baptist leaders vow to improve addressing sex abuse after papers’ report

      CuratedReligion News Service

    • Abuse of Faith

      CuratedHouston Chronicle

    • Convicted for taking water to thirsty people

      CuratedThe Christian Century

    • President Trump’s gaffe touts ‘abolition of civil rights’ at National Prayer Breakfast

      CuratedUSA Today

    • Nadia Bolz-Weber’s gospel of shame-free sexuality

      CuratedChristianity Today

    • As Southern Baptists mull executive vacancies, will diversity play a role?

      CuratedReligion News Service

    • Died: Yechiel Eckstein, rabbi who rallied evangelical support for Israel

      CuratedChristianity Today

    • Lawsuit against ex-judge, Southern Baptist churches drawing to a close

      CuratedHouston Chronicle

    • Who worries about hell the most

      CuratedARDA

    • Bible reading in public schools has been a divisive issue – and this old culture war is starting again

      CuratedThe Conversation

    • American missionary could face genocide charges, but Brazil’s indigenous communities have a bigger problem

      CuratedReligion Dispatches

    • The life and death of John Chau, the man who tried to convert his killers

      CuratedThe Guardian

    • Hashtag stirs debate over role of Christian schools in US

      CuratedAssociated Press

    Conversations that Matter.

    © 2019 Baptist News Global. All rights reserved.

    Want to share a story? We hope you will! Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS