GRACE AMBASSADORS

Bernie Sanders vs. the Apostle Paul

Justin Johnson

The below conversation did not actually occur – this is satire. The original transcript for Bernie Sanders was taken from the conversation between Bernie Sanders and Russell Vought at his confirmation hearing. Bernie’s statements have remained unchanged except the reference in the first comment which is changed to Romans 1:18. Vought’s responses have been replaced by verses from Paul’s writings in the Bible, many from places where he is speaking to unbelieving Jews.

Sanders: Let me get to this issue that has bothered me and bothered many other people. And that is in the piece that I referred to that you wrote for the publication called the Bible. You wrote, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” Do you believe that that statement is Islamophobic?

Paul:“I think myself happy, [Senator], because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. My manner of life from my youth, which was…” – Acts 26:2-4

Sanders: I apologize. Forgive me, we just don’t have a lot of time. Do you believe people in the Muslim religion stand condemned? Is that your view?

Paul: “By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justifi…” – Romans 5:18

Sanders: I understand that. I don’t know how many Muslims there are in America. Maybe a couple million. Are you suggesting that all those people stand condemned? What about Jews? Do they stand condemned too?

Paul: “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;” – Romans 10:1-2; Romans 3:9

“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

Sanders (shouting): I understand you are a Christian, but this country are made of people who are not just — I understand that Christianity is the majority religion, but there are other people of different religions in this country and around the world. In your judgment, do you think that people who are not Christians are going to be condemned?

Paul: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one… And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” – Romans 3:10; Acts 17:30

Sanders: You think your statement that you put into that publication, they do not know God because they rejected Jesus Christ, His Son, and they stand condemned, do you think that’s respectful of other religions?

Paul: “I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. For there is no respect of persons with God.” – Acts 26:29; Col 3:25; Rom 2:11

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:” – Ephesians 3:8-9

Sanders: I would simply say, Mr. Chairman, that this nominee is really not someone who this country is supposed to be about.

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Interestingly, King Agrippa, Bernice, and those that sat with Paul in his trial in Acts 26 had a better response to Paul than Bernie Sanders.

“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” – Acts 26:28

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Published: June 17, 2017
Last Modified: September 27, 2019
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