Pastor Paula White has managed to procure herself the job title, “top evangelical adviser to the President.” While that may mean a host of things, it’s for certain that one would have to either sacrifice their principles or not have any principles in the first place.
Of course, White is all-in when it comes to President Trump’s policy of separating immigrant families at the US-Mexico border. Speaking to CBN News this Monday, she praised the “beyond phenomenal” child detention center in Virginia she claims to have recently visited.
At one point during the segment, the host asked White, “What biblical scriptures come to mind when you say this?”
According to White, when it comes to the immigration debate, people have “taken biblical scriptures out of context in this.”
“They say stuff like, ‘Well, Jesus was a refugee’ — and yes he did live in Egypt for three-and-a-half years but it was not illegal,” she declared. “If he had broke the law, he would have been sinful and he would not have been out Messiah.”
Anyone who was either raised in the Christian religion or who has taken time to study the Bible knows that the very reason Jesus was crucified was because he was accused of breaking the law — and therefore deemed a criminal. His very claim of being the Son of God was against the law during time of Bronze Age Palestine. As Talking Points Memo’s Cristina Cabrera points out, Jesus was also in violation of the law when he and his disciples did things such as collect food on the Sabbath.
White’s comments invited a significant amount of backlash on Twitter, much of which came from her fellow religious leaders.
Jesus was a refugee & did break the law. He was crucified as a felon under Roman law. Christian nationalists like @Paula_White are enabling injustice w/ biblical interpretations that echo #SlaveholderReligion. https://t.co/FhV8qgUn9u
— Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II (@RevDrBarber) July 11, 2018
No. Jesus "broke the laws," both religious and civic, several times, which is one of the reasons he was crucified. He healed on the Sabbath, permitted his disciples to pluck grain, had contact with the unclean, and so on. Plus, he was indeed a refugee: https://t.co/sDMECI3IDj https://t.co/sRc4FgqClN
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) July 11, 2018
.@Paula_White – who commits theological malpractice with nearly every word – advises the president of the United States.
Where did she get her theological education? She didn’t. Her highest degree is a high school diploma. https://t.co/s31RO8Ciws
— Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie (@RevChuckCurrie) July 11, 2018
But you don’t have to be a reverend to see the hypocrisy in White’s comments.
Has Pastor Paula White ever actually read the New Testament??
— Patience🀄️ (@Patiepot27) July 11, 2018
To pastor Paula White: you are responsible for Donald Trump's Christianity. What are you going to do when Lord Jesus tells you "I never knew you" please read the bible carefully.
— jeanette frankel (@frankeljeanette) July 11, 2018
How can Paula White be a pastor after justifying government's child separation policy? For decency, self respect, and to honor her ministry she should resign from evangelical advisory board.
— Sergio Gonzalez, THE REVOLUTIONARY JESUS’ FIGHTING (@SergioG3444) July 11, 2018
This woman is pastor to a large congregation that is mostly comprised of minorities. Can someone who has first-hand knowledge please explain how you look at this woman every Sunday? Please, I seek to understand.
— Spiritfilled7 (@reginaw50361) July 11, 2018
Featured image via screen grab/YouTube