For the first time in a long time, Republicans have a leader who isn’t afraid to talk about being a Christian. With the election of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson the House of Representatives is being led by someone who has actually read the Bible and he’s willing to deploy his knowledge to support his actions.
Earlier in the year, for example, Rep. David N. Cicilline, a Rhode Island Democrat, challenged Johnson about having a strong border, citing a verse from Leviticus that reads, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
Without missing a step, Johnson set him straight.
“You have to see to whom the order is given. That order is not given to civil authorities and the government. That order is given to individuals,” he said. “We do reach out to the sojourner, but it is not the job of the federal government to do it,” reported The Washington Times.
For good measure, he said the Bible “speaks favorably” about borders and walls, including Nehemiah, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem.
“We don’t build walls because we hate the people on the outside. We build walls because we love the people on the inside,” Mr. Johnson said.
His 17-minute speech was laced with references to his faith, including a sense of heavenly ordained destiny.
“I don’t believe there are any coincidences in a matter like this. I believe that Scripture, the Bible, is very clear, that God is the one that raises up those in authority. He raised up each of you, all of us,” the newly minted Speaker told colleagues. “I believe that God has ordained and allowed each one of us to be brought here for this specific moment and this time. This is my belief.”
Religious conservatives have been thrilled with Johnson’s election to the top spot of “The People’s House” last week. After taking the rostrum to take the oath of office, the new Speaker said, “The Bible is very clear that God is the one that raises up those in authority … each of you, all of us.”
During an interview with Fox News, Johnson said, “Someone asked me today in the media, ‘People are curious, what does Mike Johnson think about any issue?’ I said, ’Well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it. That’s my worldview.’”
Being open about his faith in Jesus has caused liberals to panic and attack him as a “fundamentalist,” something they claim about every Republican who goes to church.
Former Biden press secretary, turned MSNBC host Jen Psaki attacked Johnson’s faith earlier last week after seeing his Fox News interview. “You heard that right,” Psaki said in response to Johnson’s comments. “The Bible doesn’t just inform his worldview, it is his worldview.”
In an article for MSNBC, the liberal commentator warned her audience that Johnson should frighten Democrats. “Most Americans might not be able to pick Mike Johnson out of a lineup, but in reality he’s far from benign,” Psaki wrote.
“His ideas of what America should be are completely out of line with what America actually is.
So yes, unlike Rep. Jim Jordan, Mike Johnson knows how to wear a suit jacket. He doesn’t have a questionable record as a former wrestling coach, or an unnerving tendency to yell.
But harmless? Just the opposite.”
For most Christian conservatives, this sounds like just what the doctor ordered.
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