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Mishandling the Word of Truth – Part 3

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

This verse is the culmination of Isaiah’s call to his prophetic ministry. God is looking for someone who will speak on God’s behalf to the people of Israel and Judah. After experiencing the overwhelming majestic presence of God in a vision and receiving the assurance of God’s touch of forgiveness and grace, Isaiah volunteers to join God’s mission.

This Bible verse is now being used in a video posted on X by the Department of Homeland Security to recruit Border Patrol officers and ICE agents to participate in the mission to capture, detain, and deport migrants who have crossed into the United States. Though the video can no longer be viewed at the DHS website (due to copyright infringement), it was watched 2.8 million times. The video can be viewed HERE.

Inclusion of the Bible verse in a recruitment video suggests that protecting the United States from the invasion of foreigners is a God-ordained mission, and stepping up to participate in the mission is a high spiritual calling—an act of spiritual devotion.

This is yet another example of “Mishandling the Word of Truth.” The mission promoted by the DHS is completely opposite of the mission God gave to Isaiah. Instead being sent to protect Israel’s borders or to round up and deport foreigners, Isaiah was sent to the leaders of Israel and Judah to rebuke them for their failure to act justly toward the poor, the vulnerable and the refugee and to announced God’s impending judgment—judgment that would remove them from the land into exile.

Stopping migrants from crossing the border or chasing down and incarcerating undocumented farm workers is NOT a godly mission commanded by God or commended by God. God condemns the nation that “makes unjust laws and issues oppressive decrees to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.” (Isaiah 10:1-2).

The distorted use of Scripture by the current administration to justify injustice and promote cruelty under the banner of righteousness should offend every Christian. It is blasphemy. And if we fail to discern the Scripture twisting and fail to call it out, we will fall under the judgment Isaiah announced to those who have ears, but do not hear.

Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Mishandling the Word of Truth – Part 2

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

Women who are strong leaders; women who choose their own place in the social hierarchy; women who are entrusted with power; women who instruct men. There are plenty of people today who would claim that these women are possessed (or infected) by the “Jezebel spirit” and need to return to their God-ordained place. For example, Rev. Doug Wilson, pastor of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, and a self-identified “Christian Nationalist,” may not use the “Jezebel” label, but he has publicly called for the end of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote and has preached that the Biblical role for women is to “be the chief executive of the home with three or four or five eternal souls..” Despite Rev. Wilson’s theological training and Biblical knowledge, it seems that he has chosen to ignore the Biblical record regarding the diversity of roles that women have held in the church, mishandling the word of truth. .

So, let’s set the record straight. The Bible gives us multiple examples of women who do not live within Rev. Wilson’s definition of a woman’s “biblical role”, and it never accuses them of being “Jezebels.” These women are godly, wise, Holy Spirit-filled.

Mary of Bethany. Mary, a close friend of Jesus and sister of Lazarus and Martha, is probably best remembered for her act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume prior to his death–an act that received a lot of criticism from Judas Iscariot as being wasteful. But she is also remembered for another very inappropriate act–sitting at the feet of Jesus alongside the rest of the disciples to listen to his teaching. (Luke 10:38ff) It was Mary’s sister Martha that pointed out the unseemliness of her choice. Shouldn’t she be helping in the kitchen? Shouldn’t she be serving the food? Isn’t it improper to sit with the men? But Instead of reprimanding Mary, Jesus affirmed her, saying that she had “chosen what was better.” Jesus refused to prescribe the proper place for Mary (and for all women). He confirmed Mary’s equality with men and her right to choose her place. To hear some church leaders today, choice isn’t an option for women. Mary would have been sent to the kitchen to serve the men.

Mary of Magdala. Ever since Pope Gregory (6th Century) fused the identity of Mary Magdalene with the story of the anonymous “woman of sin” (aka a prostitute) who anointed Jesus’s feet while he was dining at a Pharisee’s home (Luke 7:36-37), Mary has been portrayed in art, books and movies as a former sex worker transformed by her relationship with Jesus. It’s a great story, but recent scholarship has suggested that she was more likely a strong, independent woman of economic status that followed Jesus and supported his ministry financially (Luke 8:2). What is fascinating is that Mary Magdalene is never identified in a relationship to a man (either her father or a husband)–something very unusual in Jesus’s day. Mary Magdalene was probably an unmarried female disciple of Jesus who supported his ministry, was present at his crucifixion, assisted with his burial, and was the first witness of the resurrection. Her testimony to the rest of the disciples has earned her the title, “Apostle to the Apostles.” Today, she would be silenced in many churches.

Priscilla. We first are introduced to Priscilla in Acts 18:2. She is married to a tent-maker named Aquila. They (along with other Jews) had been forced out of Rome by an imperial order of Claudius Caesar, and they resettled in Corinth where they welcomed the Apostle Paul–a fellow tent-maker–into their home. When Paul left Corinth for Ephesus, the couple joined him having become followers of the Way. While in Ephesus, the couple met a young preacher, Apollos, whose understanding of the gospel was incomplete. The couple took him into their home and instructed him more thoroughly in the Way of Jesus. What is fascinating is that throughout the narrative, Priscilla’s name precedes her husband’s name–indicating her prominence in the relationship. In fact, every scriptural reference to the couple but one follows that pattern–unusual in ancient cultures. Priscilla is recognized as a woman of strong faith and deep spiritual understanding who is qualified to teach and correct men–something she would not be permitted to do in many churches today.

Phoebe. When Paul finished his letter to the Romans, there was no mail service to deliver it to the church. Instead, it had to be hand-delivered by a trusted co-worker of Paul, introduced to us in Romans 16:1-2. Her name is Phoebe. Phoebe’s role as the letter carrier was much more than simply delivering an envelope. She would have also been responsible for representing Paul and his message to the Roman Christians. If members of the Roman church had questions after hearing the letter read, Phoebe would have been the only person in the room who could answer the questions, give additional explanations and clarify any confusion. In other words, Phoebe was the first to present a commentary on the Letter to the Romans. It is also instructive that Paul introduced Phoebe to the Roman church as “a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.” The greek word for ‘deacon’ can also be translated “servant” or “minister.” Early in church history, the word was used to designate a recognized leader in the church. Jen McNeel writes, “It’s not completely clear how much of this technical meaning the word had acquired at the time that Paul wrote the letter to the Romans, but it is clear that Phoebe is exercising some kind of leadership within the Christian community at Cenchreae. Elsewhere Paul applies the word to himself and to others who engage in the preaching and teaching ministry of the early church.” (see 1 Cor 3:5; 2 Cor 3:6, 6:4, 11:23; and Phil 1:1 for other examples). Phoebe is a recognized spiritual leader, a theologian, a teacher, and a trustworthy associate, entrusted with great responsibility by Paul. In many churches today, Phoebe would only be trusted to teach children.

There are others–Cloe, a church leader in Corinth; the daughters of Phillip, prophetesses; Junia, an apostle. Euodia and Syntyche, faithful co-laborers with Paul in Philippi. These women and others–some single, some married, some with children, some without–were not bound by the gender expectations of their time, but were freed by the Spirit of God to be equal partners in building up the body of Christ and announcing the kingdom of heaven. If God has ordained that women be free, who has the right to constrain them? The answer is: NO MAN.

Remember: the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not gendered. “All these [gifts] are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.” 1 Corinthians 12:11 (NRSV) “So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” (Romans 12:6b-8).

Can I get an ‘Amen!’?

Mishandling the Word of Truth – Part 1

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God …accurately handling the word of truth”. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB)

It has been awhile since I have written a post. I was away, enjoying some wonderful time with my family in the beauty of nature. During that time, I tried to disconnect from the headlines, but even with the assistance of my energetic, always on-the-go grandchildren, I found it almost impossible. Not a day passed without some reminder of how our national fabric was being ripped apart thread by thread, and with each tear I felt an increasing dread about what kind of world my grandchildren would inherit.

What was particularly distressing to me was the ways in which Scripture was being distorted, used and abused to justify the mistreatment of migrants and asylum seekers and control women and the LGBTQ+ community. This “inaccurate handling of the word of truth” by (mostly) white men claiming to speak for God turned Scripture into a weapon of mass destruction aimed particularly at women–a far cry from the liberating message and actions of Jesus toward women.

The concern of these self-appointed guardians of “Biblical truth” went well beyond issues of healthcare and bodily autonomy. Their message condemned all women who were independent, opinionated, strong leaders–who chose to remain unmarried or childless–claiming that they were possessed by the “Jezebel Spirit”

Though I was familiar with the story of Jezebel, the Sidonian princess who became the influential (aka: manipulative) wife of Israel’s King Ahab and a staunch adversary of the prophet Elijah; and though I was also familiar with the strong condemnation of a female “prophet” in the Church at Thyatira identified as “Jezebel” in Revelation 2:20-23, I was unfamiliar with the phrase, “Spirit of Jezebel.” So I went down the rabbit hole. Here is what I discovered.

Nowhere in the Bible is there a reference to the “Spirit of Jezebel” or the “Jezebel Spirit.” And while the origin of the phrase is unknown, the name Jezebel has a long history as a racist and misogynistic slur. A Jezebel is a woman who is devious, manipulative, ambitious, immoral and idolatrous. The name was regularly applied to African female slaves by white slave owners who saw them as promiscuous perverts ruled by lust (referencing the Jezebel of Revelation 2 who led men into adultery and fornication). According to Graciella Ye’Tsunami, “Enslavers believed white women were “virtuous” in God’s eyes and therefore worthy of protection. Black women were painted as the exact opposite – sexual deviants worthy of violence. Roxanne A. Donovan adds that the stereotype of the sex-crazed black women was also used to justify rape blame (ie “she was asking for it’). `

In 1981, David Byrne of the Talking Heads collaborated with Brian Eno to write and produced a song by the title “The Jezebel Spirit.” In the song, the singer exorcises a demonic spirit from a woman possessed by “Jezebel.” The spirit is commanded to release the woman because “She was intended by God to be a virtuous woman. You have no right there. Her husband is the head of the house,” implying that she was promiscuous and had “ruled over” her husband.

Since 2016, dozens of books have hit the market about the “Jezebel Spirit” covering topics like what it is, traits that expose it, how to defeat it, etc. The target audience is likely to be conservative and charismatic Christians who have been influenced by the New Apostolic Reformation and one of its “prophets”, Lance Wallnau.

In August 2020, Wallnau posted a video on X where he described a dream he had. He said, “Kamala [Harris] was in an elevator with me that was going up, and I knew there was a Jezebel spirit, and this was before she ran for the primaries for President.” He later added, ““I knew that she was going to be the one the devil is going to try to use to take Trump out.” When Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee for President in July 2024, Wallnau posted another video , warning that Harris, represents “the spirit of Jezebel, and in a way that’ll be even much more ominous than Hillary [Clinton] because she’ll bring a racial component and she’s younger.” The video has been viewed 1.4 million times.

On July 16, 2025, Charlie Kirk complained on his show that we are not living in the same country as in the 1980’s. As evidence, he pointed to young women that “are infected with the Jezebel spirit, that [have] no interest in getting married or having children, that [want] to be the boss of the relationship.” He has over 5 million Facebook followers.

Whether it is called the “Jezebel stereotype” or the “Jezebel Spirit” the trope persists–particularly for women of color. However, to say any woman has a “Jezebel spirit” is also to say she is dangerous and untrustworthy–under the influence of hell to seduce men to their destruction and to usurp their power and subvert God’s proper social order. At its core, referring to any woman as a Jezebel is an attempt to “keep women in their place.” The slur also inflicts spiritual and mental harm and invites others to inflict the same or worse.

In Part 2, I will introduce you to dynamic women of the Bible, who–if living today– might be accused of being possessed by the Spirit of Jezebel, but who were, in fact, filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Until then…

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1 (NASB)

Rescind Congress

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

“Do not refuse to help those people who need help. If you are able to help them, do it!  (Proverbs 3:27 – Easy English Bible)

Early yesterday morning, while it was still dark, the Senate voted to rescind billions of dollars in funding that had already been approved. While much of the debate (and news coverage) focused on rescinding $1.1 billion in funds for National Public Radio and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, $8.3 billion in funding was originally earmarked for foreign food aid, global health initiatives and global disaster relief.

The rescission package was then sent back to the House, which passed the package late last night 216-213, sending it to the president’s desk for his signature. Mission accomplished.

Supposedly, all of the programs that will lose their funding have been rife with “waste, fraud and abuse” for decades. But let’s be clear: $9.4 billion dollars may sound like a lot of money, but it represents only 1/10 of 1% of all government spending. And that’s less than $28 per person in the US.

Meanwhile, there seems to be plenty of money for other things.. By the end of July, there will be 60 new detention centers opening or expanding across the county and Cuba to process and deport migrants–costing $45 billion dollars. Operating the new detention centers will cost taxpayers even more. According to the Associated Press, the new detention center in the Everglades will cost taxpayers at least $450,000,000 per year.

Where is all that money coming from? Obviously, not from the “savings” from the rescission package. According to Kristi Noem, Florida will be reimbursed for the costs of operations through FEMA. That’s right. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, will use funds from FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program–a significant shift from the program’s original purpose.

Once again, our leaders are revealing their priorities. And their priorities are skewed. They have shifted from helping people who need it (both at home and abroad) to detaining and removing people who no longer fit our definition of “American.” These shifted priorities run counter to the mandate of Scripture and the model of Jesus.

Every “Christian” in Congress needs to ask themselves, “What would Jesus fund?” and “What would Jesus cut?” I don’t believe Jesus would support cutting funds that prevent starvation and disease and promote education in order to fund incarceration and mass deportation. And if they think differently, those Senators and Representatives should be rescinded as soon as possible.

Burnt Biscuits

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

Two days ago, the Atlantic reported that 500 metric tons of high-energy biscuits purchased by the USAID in 2024 for distribution in Afghanistan and Pakistan–enough to feed 1.5 million hungry children for a week–will be burnt to a crisp in the next two weeks. Why? The biscuits, which have been stored in a Dubai warehouse, have expired and are no longer fit for either human or animal consumption.

US taxpayers spent $800,000 to purchase the food and will now spend another $130,000 to destroy it. Meanwhile, according to the report, USAID inventory lists from January show more than 60,000 metric tons of food already purchased by the U.S. government are sitting in warehouses across the world including 36,000 pounds of peas, oil, and cereal. It is unclear when (or if) the food will be ever be distributed.

Why weren’t the biscuits distributed prior to their expiration? Blame this administration’s closure of USAID, firing of most of its staff and shift of decision-making to the State Department to “eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.” Not only does this expose the ineptitude of the current administration, it reveals its disregard for human suffering and its moral bankruptcy.

What a waste.

Coming Soon to a City Near You

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

The images of armed National Guard troops and armored military vehicles entering McArthur Park in Los Angeles on Monday morning sent chills down my spine. There had been no riot. There had been no armed uprising. But according to the Department of Defense, the troops were present at the park to “ensure the safety of federal agents.” The Department of Homeland Security called the takeover of McArthur Park part of “ongoing enforcement operations.” Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass, called the show of military force “absolutely outrageous” and “un-American”, designed to “strike fear into the heart of the city.” It worked. It was scary.

Then, in Chicago on Tuesday afternoon, Homeland Security agents attempted to gain access to the National Puerto Rican Museum in Humboldt Park. The agents were denied access after they did not show any identification, present warrants or answer questions on why they were on the private property. There was speculation that they were making plans for upcoming festivals in Humboldt Park that highlight and celebrate Latinx culture including Barrio Arts Fest, The Great Columbian Festival and Fiesta Boricua. No one knows for certain what those plans might include.

Today, in response to the incident at the museum, local, state and national elected officials representing the Northwest Side of Chicago issued a strongly worded statement condemning any efforts by the Department of Homeland Security to intimidate, surveil, and terrorize the Latinx community and stating, “ICE is not welcome in Humboldt Park or anywhere in Chicago or Illinois.” At a press conference, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-03), who has repeatedly called for the resignation of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, accused the federal administration of violating the constitution by detaining and deporting people without due process, and she denounced the tactics of ICE. “If you have to cover yourself up to [take] people, then you’re a terrorist yourself,” she said.

Back in Los Angeles, Border Patrol El Centro Sector Chief Gregory Bovino was interviewed by Fox 11 Los Angeles. He made it clear that operations like the one on Monday would happen again. He promised, “The Federal government is not leaving LA… We’re going to be here until that mission is accomplished.”

He then added, “Better get used to us now, because this is gonna be normal very soon.”

Your city could be next.

An Old FB Post – #1

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Yesterday, I started sorting through my old Facebook posts. I joined the crazy world of social media in 2010. I discovered that over the past 15 years, I’ve created a beautiful timeline of events. While I no longer use Facebook as my main outlet for self-expression, I have run across a few posts that I want to preserve by sharing them on this platform. Here’s one from April 4, 2014. I was on vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC., and the moment was profound.

“On Monday, I stood looking out over the Atlantic Ocean feeling very small in the face of such vastness. Then, a wave broke in front of me, rushed up over my feet and then retreated with such force that it pulled all the sand from around my feet back into the surf. At that moment, I didn’t feel so insignificant. I had held the sand in place beneath me. I made a difference by standing firm. There’s a sermon illustration there somewhere.”

The waves continue to crash ashore, Never forget that every act of resistance–no matter how small–makes a difference. Stand firm, my friends. Stand firm.

A Picture of Devotion?

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“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet  and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 5:20 (New International Version)

We need to listen to the prophets.

Since Thursday, July 3, I have been haunted by the photo of members of Congress in a circle of prayer in the aisle of the House of Representatives prior to their vote on the budget bill.

Rev. Benjamin Cremer, Substack author of “Into the Gray”, eloquently posted a lament about the photo, writing, “What are we to make of this image? Men huddled in pious prayer, arms around each other, heads bowed, as if invoking Your name makes the cruelty they prepare holy? …And Jesus, warned us: “Do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.” (Matthew 6:5) This, too, is a show. A public performance meant to mask a private betrayal. They fold their hands and raise their voices not in repentance or humility, but in justification of injustice. …They will walk away from this circle of prayer into chambers where they vote to deepen poverty, increase suffering, and criminalize mercy. And they will dare to call it righteous.”

Throughout this arduous process, House Speaker (and professed Bible-believing Christian) Mike Johnson has repeatedly called the budget bill “good” despite the “evil” it will perpetrate against children, the sick, immigrants, the elderly and people with disabilities–the very people with whom Jesus identified and to whom we are called to serve.

Meanwhile, some conservative Christians have been throwing shade on empathy–a quality frequently aligned with compassion and kindness, a fruit of the Spirit. But on his Podcast, “Stronger Man Nation,” Pastor Josh McPherson said, “Empathy is dangerous. Empathy is toxic. Empathy will align you with hell.” What was once considered “sweet” (positive) is now “bitter” (negative).

This substitution of evil for good, darkness for light, and bitter for sweet has consequences. It hardens the heart, atrophies the spirit, and deadens the soul. It also disconnects us from God’s kingdom plan–shalom. Jesus said, “I have came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10). Jesus modeled compassion, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming the outcast and releasing those held captive by forces of darkness. Sadly, we have watched as self-proclaimed followers of Jesus pray and then deliver sickness, hunger, detention and death to the “least of these–Jesus’s siblings and ours..

It’s not how you pray; it’s how you obey.

A Day to Lament

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

On this 4th of July, my heart is heavy with sadness as our nation’s leaders have taken food and healthcare from the poor to give the wealthy a tax break and to fund detainment and deportation of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. How are we to celebrate freedom when we have just passed legislation that will put people in bondage and condemn them to death? How are we to mark the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence when our nation has returned to tyranny and embraced fascism and funded a police state? For me, this is not a day to celebrate; it is a day to lament and grieve and cry out to God.

“Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered” Psalm 60:5

“Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.” Psalm 79:9

“Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.” Psalm 10:12

“Save us in the time of trial and deliver us from all evil.” Matthew 6:13 (The Lord’s Prayer translation from Aramaic)

If You Say You are Pro-Life…

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

On Saturday, June 28, as part of the National Celebrate Life Day in Washington, DC, the organizations Students for Life of America (SFLA) and Students for Life Action distributed 392,715 “EveryLife” diapers, which symbolized the number of abortions performed by Planned Parenthood in 2022-2023. Kristan Hawkins, President of SFLA, used the diaper collection and distribution to counter the narrative that pro-life advocates don’t care about children once they leave the womb. She said, “Our ambitious diaper goal…tells the real story: when we say we’re pro-life AND pro-family, we mean it.”

I’m not convinced. The same group issued a statement celebrating the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill Act by the Senate on Tuesday, saying that the redirection of healthcare funds away from Planned Parenthood for 1 year is a step in the right direction toward their goal of an “abortion-free America” and praised GOP legislators for acting to protect the unborn.

However, there was no mention of the Bill’s cuts in funding for SNAP benefits for low income families; no mention of the $1.1 TRILLION cuts to Medicaid over the next 10 years; no mention of the changes in eligibility requirements for receiving federal benefits; no mention of cuts to the Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (aka WIC); no mention of the cuts to funding for school lunches for poor children; no mention of the increased spending for border security, ICE, detainment centers, and deportation that separates children from their parents; no mention of the $1+ TRILLION budget to fund war and weapons that kill and displace families; no mention of the $3.4 trillion that will be added to the deficit–a deficit that will be shouldered by our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And there was no mention of the estimated 16,642 preventable deaths that will occur annually if the Bill is passed by the House in its current form.

If you say you are pro-life and if you say you are pro-family, you cannot also be pro-Big Beautiful Bill. The two are antithetical.