At one time or another, every Christian has heard it said that, “God is no respecter of persons.” This saying is a direct quotation of the Apostle Peter as recorded in Acts 10:34 and translated in the King James Version of the Bible. Peter made this observation after being prompted by a vision from God to fellowship with gentile named Cornelius. Peter explained to his audience:
“You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”
Acts 10:28 (KJV)
Peter is saying that God does not show favortism based upon ethnicity and social status. Modern translations of the Bible render the Greek translated in the KJV as “God is not respecter of persons” as “God does not show favortism” or “God is not one to show partiality”. Of course, the KJV translation isn’t wrong, it just uses archaic English. The meaning of Peter’s phrase is nevertheless obvious, in any translation, from context.
The Apostle Paul made a similar obsvervation in his epistle to the Romans:
“To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.”
Romans 2:7-11 KJV
Jews and Gentiles alike will be judged for their sin, Paul teaches, there is no favoritism from God for either group.
Yet, America’s most popular women’s Bible teacher, Beth Moore, does not seem to grasp the concept that God’s impartiality starkly contrasts with the ways of the world:
Beth Moore says the world doesn’t show favoritism. Really, Beth? Really?
From Old Testament to New, God’s word is full of admonitions for the people of God not to show favoritism but to be fair and impartial in their judgements. These admonitions are neccessary precisely because the way of the world is to be a respecter of persons. Does Beth Moore, who makes a living selling Bible studies and giving speeches about the Bible, not understand this?
Now, if Moore is making the observation that the world can be a harsh, dog-eat-dog rat race that chews up and spits out people without respect to their human dignity, then she is correct. However, she is clearly uses words from scripture to make her case authoritative. What Moore espouses sounds like biblical wisdom because she is using KJV bible words. However, her use of these words is yet another example of her inability to properly apply the truths of Scripture.
Moore regularly claims to receive visions or other direct revelation from God. Yet, she fails to demonstrate a rudimentary ability to apply the lesson of Peter’s vision from the book of Acts. Sadly her legions of Twitter followers lap up inane teachings like this latest statement with all the discernment of thirsty dogs.
Do you allow Beth Moore materials at your church?
*Please note that the preceding is my personal opinion. It is not necessarily the opinion of any entity by which I am employed, any church at which I am a member, any church which I attend, or the educational institution at which I am enrolled. Any copyrighted material displayed or referenced is done under the doctrine of fair use.
