From the article:
“To counteract the prospect of increased hunger, Bread for the World is calling on lawmakers to increase emergency food assistance, to compel lenders to renegotiate loans if they do not do so willingly, and to strengthen nonprofit lending institutions, among other actions.”
Seems like great objectives.
It is unfortunate that our education system is so poor that so many people do not learn basic skills of money management, home purchase, etc.
Peace!

The conclusion of the study is not surprising, nor is it surprising that Christians in the lending industry ignore that inconvenient admonition. It seems to be standard operating procedure to pick the parts of the Bible you like and ignore the rest. But I dare say that’s pretty standard among a lot of religions.

“‘Since you can’t cut back on mortgage payments or renegotiate the price of gas, the only place where you can save money is food,’ said study author Todd Post.”
These are neither set by nature nor by divine decree. They are determined by the companies and financial institutions. The fact that they determined their profit goals on bankrupting their customers indicated that they are simply the worst kind of parasite, the sort that kills their host. So, it is not unreasonable to expect someone to go to the banks and inform them that their intended rates MUST be reduced to an appropriate level. The oil company net profits soar because their money is raised based on the price per gallon, not simply on the sale of each gallon of gas (ex. the percentage on $2.50 is the same as on $3.00, but the amount they get increases as well, as compared to getting $0.50 on every gallon – hypothetically speaking). So set a reasonable amount per gallon and let them share the frustration.
The rules against usury would be great to apply, but they – like so many other inappropriate laws – were rendered invalid when the Temple fell and the priesthood disappeared. SO, let’s make the appeal based on care for each other and the sense that we are ALL the Body Politic, Economic, or whatever you choose as a title. If you rob one portion of the body of its required nutrients the whole body will starve. Until the various corporation catch onto that idea, they will deprive and starve us until we all die, even themselves.

“The rules against usury would be great to apply, but they – like so many other inappropriate laws – were rendered invalid when the Temple fell and the priesthood disappeared.”
Ah, you see that’s confusing. Why don’t y’all take out the parts of the Bible that no longer apply. And maybe while you’re at it you could put in some admonitions against bigotry and profiteering during war and screwing up our planet.

There’s another piece to this widely unreported.
It was an earlier folly that set this up. You’ll recall there was a great stink that some communities were “redlined” by mortgage agencies as likely too poor to handle home ownership. Certain groups (was Bread for the World among them?) lobbied hard and led Congress to pressure lending agencies to loosen standards for extending mortgages. They did so.
Why is no one holding to the fire the feet of liberal groups, who pressured Congress and lenders to make questionable loans, and then when the economy stumbles (as it always does) cry “foul”?
Usury is excessive interest, it is based on the theocracy of Israel (which last I checked was no more), and “letting your yes be yes” also applies – including to those who have committed beyond their means and no reap the fruits of that decision.
Yes, we need to care for our neighbor.
No, it’s not the job of the government (I love the classic “the efficiency of the Pentagon and the compassion of the Postal Service”)
and Yes, some will have to suffer the consequences of their choices.
Most telling was a bit on NPR the other day on this – a guy who is in trouble, “I finally sat down and read the fine print, and asked myself ‘what kind of idiot are you to sign this!’” But he did sign it. And now he singing the blues to a tune HE wrote.
(PS – Anyone wanting to research further this idea of certain portions of the OT no longer applying should start with the ancient formulation of the Westminster Confession Chapt. 19 (the Law of God)http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/ ) – that the Ceremonial Law was fulfilled in Christ, the Judicial Law expired with the Nation of Israel as a Theocracy, and that the Moral Law of God stands timeless, bound in His Eternal Holy Character.

Ah, nnmns,
You have come to an ancient problem. Why DON’T we remove the part that no longer apply? Because there are so many parts that help us Christians to sort out just who Jesus was and what he meant. The Gospel editors made frequent reference to O.T. portions, and they are not easily divorced from the larger whole. However, they also thought we would have enough sense to be able to appreciate why and how those portions are applied. Simple lazy application of everything was neither their intent nor purpose. Slavish devotion to the whole is an exercise in contradiction and paradox. So we are to read with our brains fully engaged and our hearts wide open. The most foundational rules apply no matter what. Care for all people as we are ALL God’s children. Greet strangers and lost children as honored guests. Love justice, do kindness and walk humbly. There are no exclusions, qualifications, or amendments.
So if a corporation is exercising its greedy fingers – they are guilty of turning away from God, humanity, and basically anything of value not that they seem to care at all.

Ok, “history” matters. Why not print the part that no longer applies in a different color? Different font? Smaller type?

And there are things you do need that weren’t in play then. You desperately need an admonition against bigotry. We really could use one against profiteering during war, though I realize the Republican Party’s budget would go way down without the contributions from war profiteers. And we desperately need to get everyone on board to keeping our planet habitable.
Now I understand it’s well past the time when people could insert parts of the Bible without it being noticed, so you need an authority figure. How about the Pope? He could put his Errorless hat on and announce those things. Or maybe a new prophet?

Opening the canon to appeal to one group or another would accomplish very little. Since Gutenberg the need for this has diminished. It’s just that people need to listen to each other and to learn. Slavish devotion to ancient scripture makes it into an idol and not the dynamic collection of insight and wisdom it was intended. There is enough there that has universal application that it is worth continued study and reflection. But there is so much more as well.

Opening the canon could acomplish a lot if you take out the shell(s) and the gunpowder.

I have often wondered what the new canon would be. What books should be considered invaluable for the next many generations to read. I know a few folks have taken a crack at this.
How, ’bout it, gang. Can you list the ten books you think should be on everyone’s read list. This means they have to be books people will actually read. Mark Twain once wrote that a classic is a book that everyone talks about but no one has actually read (or something to that effect). This is well off topic, but I am not sure the topic of the article was going anywhere.
So this is a mutiny and we are taking over!
List your Canon – take no prisoners – collaboration and cooperation are the watchwords of the day – Creativity should know no bounds!

Well I just wanted you to clean up books that are already there.
I might suggest something by Erich Fromm but it’s been so long since I read them I’m not sure what. How about “The Age of Reason” by Thomas Paine, one of our country’s founders?

jest, shameful, shameful.
I have watch this article torn to pieces minimized and used as a tool to beat up on the Bible. The article’s whole purpose is neutered by attempts to lampoon Christianity with lame humor. The facts the article has drawn for us is that good hard working people have to choose between shelter and food here in the U.S. Your response is indicative to what is important to you. For me it is feeding these folk even when the government won’t and when others would spend more effort in humor then helping. My ministry feeds hundreds of these good folk daily, give them clothes and furniture because they cannot afford these things even though they may be working.
Nnmns its not hard to believe that you could read some fault into the Christian community for the “subprime mortgage crisis.”

cknuck I primarily blame humanity’s shortsightedness and greediness. People in business have an amazing tendency to think the future will be like the present and go out on limbs that sometimes break to reach some extra profit.
But sure, it’s obvious Christians, being very common in business, are among those that charge usurious rates to people who can’t afford them. They are, of course, not alone in that but it would seem someone whose holy book advocates against it has a little more to explain. j has pointed out that that part of the Bible just doesn’t apply any more. Perhaps you disagree about that?
Now the obvious next question is, if some Jews built a new temple and installed some priests, would that part of the Bible become relevant again? For Jews only or also for Christians?
And what effect would that have on those who eat shellfish?
And how many Jews would have to be involved? Would ten and a temple made from a pole barn be sufficient to make all those Biblical versus applicable again for the whole world?
Religion is so invigorating.
cknuck I applaud the good works you describe. I hope you aren’t requiring a religious test to receive those benefits but even if you are it’s a good thing.

SteveD: There’s a difference between “redlining”, refusing to do business in certain areas, and making loans that the company knows (or at least has a good idea) will be ruinous to its customers. Also, these companies did not fully explain the terms of the loans to these customers, who were often inexperienced and didn’t know what questions to ask. And loan officers and real estate agents often “assure” home buyers that they will be able to refinance the loan before the terms change.
Bread for the World also does a lot of advocacy work in regards to farm subsidies and other aspects of congressional “Farm Bills”. I don’t believe they have all the answers, but I think they provide a valuable service by letting legislators know that someone is paying attention to these things besides the big corporations.

nnmns the article does not make the point that it is a Christian fault, that is formed by your mind, because of your hate for Christianity that’s obvious.

cknuck and others,
I did not intend to diminish the point made by the article. I guess, for me it is like stating today is Monday. The facts of the situations are so blatanly obvious. The extent to which the sub-prime greedfest will sink our economy are the only things uncertain. The complicity extends in all directions, however. It was like a dope dealer, offering the first one for free and then demanding greater and greater payments as a person gets addicted. The banks dangled cheap and easy money, then added in usurous interest that folks thought they could avoid. The rest is becoming history.
Nor was i trying to make light of Christianity. But it seemed that the comments were going to simply echo the articles point – Isee no way to argue against the points – so a little redirection may be in order.
nnmns, the poblem is not building a new Temple. The problem is they want it where it used to be, and there is an occupant on the site. And I don;t thenk they are likely to give it up. After that we can begin to worry about shellfish, animal sacrifce, and other mundane matters.

Lots or many of the lenders may or may not have been Christians. However, as with many church goers, the world of Christianity and business don’t mix. During the week, sell those sub-prime mortgages, to folks who may or may not have the money to pay them, sucker them in, then raise the interest in a year or so. (It’s called read the small, fine print, which many folks can’t or don’t do). On Sunday make a good show of “faith” to the dude in the sky and then return to business as usual Monday through Friday. The Bible is for Sunday’s and maybe Wednesday nights.

Wrong again Pagan I know many Christian business persons and they do just fine, it was Christian business persons that pointed out the whole affair and pointed out that even though it may be legally permissible it is again the word of God to treat others in such a way.
jest the whole shellfish and animal sacrifice thing is trite, silly, and its surprising for a follower of Christ to be toying with such finger pointing trivia of the unbelievers, that is if they are in fact a follower of Christ.

note, cknuck, I said “many lenders may or may not have been Christians.” Yes, they did the study, but some of their own were involved with writing mortgages to folks who had no business getting a house because they weren’t going to make enough to pay the raised interest rates. I’m sure there are enough other folks of other faiths who also practice there faith on the correct day, and then get greedy during the week. Gosh, even a few pagans and atheists. Enough blame to go around everywhere.

ck,
If you are even still reading this page…
The whole point to the Temple was animal sacrifice for the expiation of sins. Wihtout the sacrifice onthe altar, there was no oint to the Temple. And that is why it has not been the center of their faith for almost 2,000 years. But if they rebuild it, that will become the focus, and I think thier cause will be lost. After all, how many Santeria (a voodoo / Catholic amalgam) do you know who practice their faith openly and without fear.