Blessed is he.

Rev. Mac Hammond, pastor of Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park, has been under some intense scrutiny over the past few months. First it was in voicing his support for Michele Bachmann in her campaign for the US Congress.

Most recently, Hammond’s financial picture has been questioned by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. The folks at CREW allege that Hammond has violated federal tax laws.

Apparently many have taken exception to Hammond’s lifestyle, which includes multiple homes, a Lexus, a Porsche and two motorcycles. Hammond himself offers no apologies for such material wealth.


"I think it's important that I not be embarrassed about the increase the Lord does bring me," Hammond said. "One of the things I think has kept Christianity from being as effective as it could be is the idea that the clergy has to be poor. The Bible doesn't say that."


As result of this story coming out, Star Tribune lefty columnist Doug Grow offered his perspective.


Wealth, the pastor of the massive Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park explained to his flock Sunday, is just another word for "blessing."

If you've got it, flaunt it -- cuz you deserve it.


Yes, another fine example of a liberal conveying disingenuousness when referring to Christian principles. The fact of the matter is Pastor Hammond (or any other man of God) would never utter the phrase “cuz you deserve it.” It is the Lord who through His grace and mercy decided we could be redeemed. Since we are all born into sin, we are unworthy of any blessings that are bestowed upon us. However, it was God sending his son Jesus to die for our sins because He loved us unconditionally. As it says in Romans 8:37, we are made “more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Mr. Grow continued:


The pastor received standing ovations for his explanations of his wealth.

And why not? For those of us who have attained at least some material comfort, Hammond's theology is a lot more assuring than such biblical lines as "it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."


If I had a dollar for every time I heard a liberal cite that passage of scripture, I would have a Porsche, too. I’m not certain what Bible they partake, but it must always seem to end with that verse.

Indeed, Matthew 19:24 does in fact say that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

But Matthew chapter 19 also has a verse 25 and 26, which says “When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

If you don’t mind, Mr. Grow, we’ll leave it to the Man upstairs to determine who enters His kingdom.