Ron DeSantis Changes a Well-Known Bible Verse to Fit His Own Agenda
Christians should be outraged, but are we?
Politicians quoting the Bible in an effort to garner votes or appeal to the religious beliefs of their supporters is nothing new; politicians quoting a verse completely out of context is equally common. For example, a favorite verse used when appealing to Christian voters is 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
It’s most often used by Republican candidates to decry the “wickedness” of the Democrats and imply that a vote for Republicans will bring divine healing to America; Ted Cruz used it constantly during the 2016 Republican primaries. The problem is that, in context, it is not some blanket promise of blessing but rather a promise specifically to the people of Israel at that time that concludes in verse 18 with the promise: “You shall never fail to have a successor to rule over Israel.” We are not the ancient kingdom of Israel.
Using Bible passages out of context isn’t confined to Republicans, of course. After a suicide bombing at the Kabul Airport in August of last year killed 13…
