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November 28, 2004

The Bible on Liberals



Since the term 'liberal' has been demonized by the religious right as of late, I thought I would go to their most favorite book to quote from (the King James Version of the Bible) and see what it has to say about being liberal and liberality.

The term is mentioned ten times (in various forms) throughout the Old and New Testaments. In every instance, it is mentioned in a positive light. In James 1:5, it actually indicates that God gives liberally. Does this mean that God is liberal? Oh God, forbid!

Interestingly enough, the term conservative isn't even mentioned in the bible.

The references are included below. The search was aided by the engine located at:
http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/kjv


Old Testament

Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
--Deuteronomy 15:14

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
--Proverbs 11:25

The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.
--Isaiah 32:5

But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.
--Isaiah 32:8


New Testament

And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
--1 Corinthians 16:3

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
--2 Corinthians 8:2

Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
--2 Corinthians 9:13

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
--James 1:5

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Isn't there a difference between the word "liberal" and the term "Liberal?"

Max Bouillet said...

i am sure there is --depending on who you ask. i am personally unsure of what the difference is. i tend to not want to capitalize anything, because i think very little is of great importance in the long run.

Andrea said...

Very interesting post!

Trying to catch up with so much material you have written.

Have a wonderful day!!

:-)