Who are the Least of These? A Response to Sharon McMahon

 

Sharon McMahon penned a provocative essay that includes a heart-tugging story about her late father and some Bible verses in order to advocate for gun control. Bible verses, however, do not mean what you want them to mean. They mean what they actually mean through a holistic understanding of the Bible. This is the beginning of politicizing scripture and spiritual abuse.

When someone takes scripture beyond its intent and applies it to a desired behavior, they politicize scripture and abuse the Bible.

Such is the case with McMahon’s essay. She uses scriptures that mean one thing to make a totally unrelated point in order to gain a certain outcome. More specifically, she needlessly includes a verse from Matthew 25— a verse that she misinterprets and then misapplies. The question is, does her misstep matter? 


It is a small point of contention that stands outside the main thrust of her essay, but it is a contentious point nonetheless.

McMahon claims that the Bible teaches one must love “the least of these.” She goes on to explain that children are what the Bible means by this phrase. While that is where her explanation ends, further personal examination of Matthew 25 reveals that the Bible teaches that those who care for the least of these receive an eternal reward, that is eternal life. Although she does not pursue this end in her essay, the unavoidable and ultimate conclusion of her claim suggests that anyone who cares for children receives life ever-after. 

But this is Universalism. Universalism says, “All good and moral roads lead to heaven,” and it is a necessary vehicle of manipulation for McMahon to drive her readers toward whatever position she likes best; in this case, it’s gun control.


Except not only is Universalism not supported in the Bible, it is not supported by Matthew 25, and neither is the universal call for the care of children nor a commitment to gun control. What is found in Matthew 25 has far less to do with earthly politics and much more to do with stewarding a spiritual kingdom.

In Matthew 25, Jesus did not call for the care of “the least of these,” as McMahon claims. He called for the care of “the least of these, my brothers.” The word for “brothers” in the Greek is adelphos and is used in the New Testament almost exclusively for the spiritual brothers and sisters of Jesus, who are the sons and daughters of God, and are, therefore, the Church. Jesus’s exhortation in Matthew 25 is for the care of the least of those in the Church— often those in ministry or evangelism, as is described further when cross-referenced with Matthew 10 and Mark 9.

(Are there places in Scripture that call for the Christian to care for non-Christians? Absolutely, but Matthew 25 is not the source for that calling).

And so the answer to the initial question “Does it matter that McMahon misinterprets and misapplies scripture?” is yes. Her article broadens scripture beyond the intent established by the Lord and uses the new definition to promote a specific political position.

Did she mean for this happen? Did she intend to write a theological treastise while advocating for gun control? No, I do not think so. But when she took scripture out of context, she inadvertently placed it within a new theological framework. Her point would have been much better made if she had stuck to gun control and left the scriptures alone.

Post script:

To the Church in Galatia, Paul wrote, “Do good to all people, especially the household of God.” His ancient words can help us today navigate the number of pressing causes and prioritize our time, money, and effort.

Do good to all.

Especially the Church.