Miscellaneous: “Ron Young Was Right” - Ben

Let me begin by first saying, Ron Young, you were right.  

After I released my initial post on the first commandment in our Ten Commandments for the Modern World series, it was clear that I didn't give the first principle in the Decalogue enough attention. As Ron later pointed out, I basically lumped one and two together. This made his job significantly more difficult as he had the unenviable task of following my post. In fact, in a conversation about this very thing, he insisted that there must be a difference between the first two commandments. This, of course, is true. Hence, my introductory line, "Ron Young, you were right." (I only repeat it here because I know it makes him happy to read those words. He is hardly ever right.)

In my defense, I never doubted that there was a difference. But it is clear from my writing that I dealt far more with how the first few commandments are linked than what I should've done, which was to speak about how they differ. To be perfectly blunt, I said nothing about what makes the first commandment special. And I hope this post will help amend my mistake. Therefore, if you'll indulge me, I'd like to take another crack at the First Commandment. There's so much I failed to tell you. 

Pause for dramatic effect.

A committee did not create the Ten Commandments. They were, quite literally, given to us by the voice of God (cf. Ex. 20:18-19). They are not the sloppy byproduct of some internet poll but are timeless concepts forged within a divine mind. Therefore, since these ideas come from outside human reasoning, the Decalogue (i.e., the "Ten Words") and all other truths within Scripture embody objective truth. Who better to teach us how we ought to live than a being whose judgment is not clouded by shifting opinions, influenced by fluctuating emotions, or pressured by changing circumstances? And the first word upon which all the other divine words stand is this: have no other gods but God.

And why does God begin his commandments this way? Because human beings love to have anything and everything for a god except God. For instance, most polytheistic religions base many of their deities on something in nature. In Norse mythology, Thor was the god of thunder. The Egyptians had Ra as their god for the sun. And the Babylonians said that a goddess named "Tiamat" controlled the sea. Powers like an angry storm, the hot sun, and the vast sea were so impressive that primitive cultures thought they must be divine. 

Now, if we're not careful, we might think that this was a problem for our unenlightened ancestors and that this is no longer relevant in the modern age. But that assumption is wrong. Like those who came before us, we have multiple gods vying for our allegiance today. 

Atheists, for instance, claim to stand on the hallowed grounds of science while bemoaning any and all expressions of religion. They seem not to realize that they are every bit the religious fanatics they so readily mock. The scientific method might as well be called an apostolic creed, for it has converted many. And what a shame since it was first pioneered by men of faith who sought to better understand their Creator rather than disprove him (Francis Bacon was a Christian).  

Or take, for example, those who bend the knee to philosophy. Both ancient and modern Philosophers propose the pathway to objective truth is forged within the crucible of logic. Truth, they claim, is not given but reasoned. And only through careful argumentation can one's mind be genuinely free. But in their pursuit of a world dictated by thought, these deep-thinkers have inadvertently made thought itself their god. 

You see, gods come in all different shapes and sizes, each with its own unique name. They can be anthropomorphic like Thor, Ra, and Tiamat, or they can be physical like science or even metaphysical like philosophy. Whether it's this god here or that god there, all human beings serve some sort of deity. Call it what you will; everyone is religious. And remarkably, in this cacophony of noisy gods, a solitary Being says without apology, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Ex.‬ ‭20:3‬). This is not only the first commandment, it is the first thought of Scripture (cf. Gen 1:1), and it is also the one principle we seem hellbent on disavowing (cf. Gen 3:5). But however much we try to have other gods, the one true God will not relinquish his title. ‬‬‬‬

Yahweh brooks no rival.

And the Lord does not share his glory with anyone for two important reasons: he is our God, and we are his people. Right before he gives the first word in the Decalogue, Yahweh says, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." The Lord does not say he is the Egyptian's God, but he said to the Israelites, "I am the Lord your God." The Egyptians were known for their 1,400 different gods. But Israel would be known for its worship of only one God (cf. Ex. 19:4-6). And the Israelites would be God’s because he had emancipated them from Egyptian bondage.  The Israelites were a delivered people who God had redeemed for his purpose. God literally freed them from slavery. Thus, his union with them would be singular, and he expected the same in return. The Lord was Israel's God, and Israel was God's people. 

The point of the first commandment and what makes it distinct from the rest of the commandments is that if there is no other god but God, then we should have no other god but Yahweh. Who else is worthy of our worship? Why would we give anything or anyone who is not a god that sort of devotion that only God deserves? What a waste of worship that would be. 

The Daily Babel: 4-Year-Old Cancelled for Gifting “#2 Dad” Mug

 

    June 17, 2022 – Stephen Sapp

MT. AIRY, NC— In a town famously known as TV’s Mayberry, where Andy Griffith taught many fatherly lessons of his own, the pressure of fatherhood has just become a little bit more for one American family. 

 

Four-year-old, Charlie Baker, is at the center of a family dispute that has now gone worldwide. It all started when Charlie decided to give his dad, Frank Baker, his Father’s Day gift a week early. 

 

Having played tee-ball for the first time this year, Charlie knew how adamant his father was against participation trophies and calling everyone “winners.” This knowledge led Charlie in selecting his unique Father’s Day present. 

 

“Charlie just knew his daddy would want something that reflected the same values he instilled into Charlie every time he lost on the tee-ball field. Not everyone can be first place. Learn from your losses,” Charlie’s mother, Cindy, said. 

 

It was these values that caused Charlie to gift Frank a seemingly typical ceramic mug for Father’s Day. But, unlike most Father’s Day gifts that are all the same, Charlie’s gift was customized with a special message: “World’s #2 Dad.” 

 

Ever since he has received this gift, Frank says the emotional turmoil and bullying have been relentless. 

 

“I have friends calling to tell me that their mugs all say ‘#1 Dad.’ What’s worse is some say my mug not only reveals my place in number but the #2 also implies what Charlie really thinks of my fathering. I just can’t take much more,” Frank emotionally conveyed. 

 

This story is ongoing as Charlie continues to research the return policy for his confrontational gift. The whole family is hoping peace can be returned to the home in the process as well. 

Miscellaneous: When Becoming Like the Same Jesus Looks Different - Stephen

 Dear Christian,

God hasn’t created you to be like anyone else but Jesus. 

This declaration has been rehearsed repeatedly in my own mind over the last few months as I’ve transitioned into a pastoral ministry. As a minister many have an expectation of what I should look like, act like, and even be into. But when those expectations aren’t met, someone’s idea of who I am will begin to either stretch or deteriorate. The option selected of these many times determines the future ministering I get to have with that person. And this is unfortunate. 

Let’s back up for just a moment. There can be some extreme, unhelpful responses to my original statement no matter your calling in life. One such response is to “throw the baby out with the bathwater.” To say we are all different and therefore all societal pressures for any conformity are pure evil is a bit extreme. Such a belief would include clothing, law-abiding, walking on our feet instead of our hands, etc. Conformity to the first alone is enough for the sane among us to shout, “Amen!” 

A second unhelpful response, as a Christian, would be to cast aside any desire for mentorship. Mentorship at its very essence is for one to impart knowledge to another, many times from one’s own life experience. But how will we be willing to learn from someone else’s experiences if we believe we are all different and therefore no one but Christ can be seen as an example to follow? (Hint: Christian mentorship is grounded on being led by those who are more like Christ than the one mentored. Those are the traits to be passed down. —cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1)

A last, unhelpful response to this statement would be to refuse to know who Jesus really is when such a statement is made. To not know who Jesus is would make it impossible to become like He truly was. And for someone to say the statement above in complacent ignorance of how He lived would simply prove it was said as an excuse for their lifestyle choices, not a description of their spiritual goals. 

So, what am I actually saying with that beginning statement? 

How can one respond to it in both a truthful and helpful way? 

As I pointed out in the beginning, church leadership can come with some baggage in the minds of many. For some, a suit and tie bring thoughts of man-made tradition and a look of irrelevance. For others, the absence of such attire might invoke thoughts of worldliness, rebellion, or the last prophecy needing fulfillment before the Lord’s imminent return. In other words, the mouth of a minister may say nothing at all while many already have made-up minds of who he is. And it doesn’t stop there. 

Reading theology books by dead preachers, Christian fish on everything, and ministry being the only hobby—those are the things a preacher should be “into” right? You might laugh but the stereotype is out there. I have my fair share of deceased commentators on my bookshelves but I also have some that are still breathing (the authors that is). Christian fish have become extinct from my current decor of randomness in my office. And the truth is, in addition to those theology books I also like to read fiction…some of which aren’t necessarily “Christian.” 

I dabble at writing. I listen to nerdy podcasts that aren’t always theological in nature. I like football, British mysteries, and the occasional Alfred Hitchcock film. (Weird. I know.)

The stereotypical apple fell far from the ministerial tree when I stepped into the calling…or so I thought. Come to find out, there were others the same way. Which begs the question—why is God using people that don’t fit the mold we’ve created? 

Answer—because that’s how He has always done it. 
There is no Christian personality, only a Christ-like person. 
And there is no greater example of this than Christ’s own disciples. 

Not every disciple seemed to have an outspoken personality like Peter for some never had a single quote in the entire Bible (e.g., James, the son of Alphaeus). Not all of them were fishermen. Some worked for the Romans previously (e.g., Matthew) while others saw the empire as nothing more than the enemy of their beloved country (e.g., Simon the Zealot). 

Same calling, different gifting.  

Unifying Person, different personalities. 

Working together by being individually different. 

But if all Christians, like the disciples, are seeking to become like Jesus, how can we remain so diverse? 

The sanctification of the believer is not making everyone become like you (or me); it is God making everyone become like Him (cf. Romans 8:29, Galatians 5:22-25). And although this gradually purifies our personality, it does not eradicate it. Because how God made you remains even through how Christ is changing you.

In the conclusion of every post, I try to end with a well-worded quip or a fun play-on-words, but with this one, I would like to leave you with something else. This song of caution is what happens when we fail to believe as the body of Christ that becoming like the same Jesus in many ways looks different for us all. This is not a call to discard discipleship but the opposite. It is a call to understand what discipleship truly is—becoming like Jesus, not one another. And then understanding that’s a good thing. 

Did you hear of the city on the hill?
Said one old man to the other
It once shined bright, and it would be shining still
But they all started turning on each other

You see the poets thought the dancers were shallow
And the soldiers thought the poets were weak
And the elders saw the young ones as foolish
And the rich man never heard the poor man speak

Each one thought that they knew better
But they were different by design
Instead of standing strong together
They let their differences divide

But it was the rhythm of the dancers
That gave the poets life
It was the spirit of the poets
That gave the soldiers strength to fight
It was the fire of the young ones
It was the wisdom of the old
It was the story of the poor man
That needed to be told.

And one by one, they ran away
With their made-up minds to leave it all behind
And the light began to fade
In the City on the Hill.

And the world is searching still.

(Casting Crowns, “City on a Hill,” Come to the Well, 2011.)

The 10 Commandments for the Modern World | The Fifth Commandment – Ron

I have the unenviable task of posting on a Monday following one of the Middling wives. It is only unenviable in that there will likely be a viewer drop-off of about 700 people. I have the further unenviable task of trying to apply the fifth commandment to our modern world. At first blush, this should not be difficult in the slightest. The command is straightforward and easily understood. And yet, it is counter to much of what is evidenced in our culture.

As far back as 2007, which is admittedly further behind us than I care to think, you can find articles with titles like, Why don’t American kids respect their parents more? The author gives reasons such as: 

• American parents have less time to discipline their kids, in part because women are more likely to work, wages are higher, and there is a general rush and hurry.
• American culture is less closely tied to the entire notion of hierarchy and respect, whether or not kids are in the picture.
• The American divorce rate is relatively high.
• Balance is difficult, and a tipping point requires that someone be in charge.  In America that is the kids, although the underlying reasons for this difference may be quite small.
• America is saturated in mass media, and that culture encourages the independence of the child, most of all because children are prime viewers of TV and drivers of Nielsen ratings. (all points from reference: Cowen, 2007)

Whether one agrees with the causality presented in the article (the listed reasons cause disrespect), it is easy enough to see how an honoring and respectful relationship could be strained by these issues.

Just two years later, Today.com shared an excerpt of the book The Power of Respect, by Deborah Norville. In her book she writes, 

"From Hollywood starlets to Wall Street moguls (and many people in between), it is becoming far more common for the headlines to highlight people with disrespectful attitudes and behaviors. Americans don’t often agree on many things, but when it comes to respect, people say there’s less of it lately. Nearly eight in ten Americans (79 percent) say a lack of respect and courtesy is a serious national problem, and most people say it’s getting worse (60 percent). Seventy-three percent say we used to treat one another with greater respect" (NBC Universal, 2009).

In 2017, an article written by a PhD for Developmental Science says that "research is revealing an important truth: Respect is a two-way street, and it becomes especially important during adolescence. Shifting focus from how much respect you feel you're getting, to whether or not you're showing them respect, is critical" (Divecha, 2018). 

In other words, the problem is that parents need to respect and honor their children more. This has led to headlines such as this one from 2018: One in Four Americans Feel U.S. Children Are Not Respected (Crabtree, 2022).

And now we live in a culture where children as young as kindergarten ought to have the personal autonomy to change their gender (Brooks, 2018), attend drag queen story hours (CBN News, 2021), and be taught graphic sexual education (Bishop, 2021). 

I understand that is a lot of introductory stuff, but it should be noted that our society has things backwards. 

The fifth commandment of Scripture is this: "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee" (Exodus 20:12). This command is repeated - and added to - in Deuteronomy 5:16, "Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul repeats the command thusly, "Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" (Ephesians 6:2-3).

Since we are talking about how this commandment applies in our modern world, I want to focus on the fact that this is the first commandment with promise. 

In both of the Old Testament references that I quoted above, the command to honor one's parents is tied to longevity upon/in the land that God had given to the Israelites. In essence, this command is tied to society by incredibly strong bonds. Dennis Prager says it this way, "The commandment promises the nation collectively that if its members honor their parents, the family will be preserved, its religious traditions and beliefs will be preserved, and the civilization will therefore long endure"(Prager, 2018, p. 258). 

Now, go back and look at the differences in the articles I quoted above. In 2007, the question centered around kids disrespecting their parents. In 2009, the focus was on disrespect all around. In 2017, the question centered around how much are parents actually respecting their children. In 2019, a survey found that a large number of Americans felt like children were disrespected.

And in articles from 2018 and 2021, and in news headlines almost daily, we see the destruction of morality in our culture beginning with the earliest of ages. Prager (2018) goes on to say, "The breakdown of the family is a guarantor of the breakdown of a civilization" (p. 258). It ought not to surprise us that when we flip the script on the parent/child relationship, morality declines.

So, what does honoring ones parents look like in today's world?

I think it starts with parents who act in honorable ways and model this for and expect this from their children. Parents must remember that they are designed as and commanded to be authority figures and not peers of their children. I had a conversation with my son the other day that ended with me loudly stating, "I am your father. I am not equal to you." While that may not fly culturally, it does biblically.

We honor our parents by how we respond to them, of course, and this typically leads to added joy in our relationship with them. But this goes further because we honor our parents in how we integrate their teachings into our lives. The Bible says that it is a joy when one's child walks in the truth (3 John 1:4) and this is true whether one is talking about a spiritual child or a biological one.

In closing, it is important to understand that while children are to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1), the command to honor one's parents does not cease upon reaching adulthood. This is a command that is continual. 

For me, part of honoring my parents is calling them somewhat regularly, although I don't do that enough. I seek advice from my dad when I need it, even though I don't always heed it. Strangely, I usually regret it when I don't. In an effort to honor my parents, I help them out in their yard from time to time. I bring my sons with me in the hope that they will learn from the experience. After all, I am hoping they will continue to honor me and their mother in our old age. 

I can actually trace much of my ethics, whether work-related or morality-based, back to what my parents taught me about authority, honor, and obedience. I haven't always done it right, but it has molded me into who I am today. 

If we want to put the brakes on the moral decline of our society, it seems like a good place to start is to re-integrate the fifth commandment.

References

Bishop, G. (2021). Bill requiring sex education to begin with kindergarten to be filed in Illinois legislature. Washington Examiner. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/bill-sex-education-kindergarten-illinois-legislature

Brooks, J. (2018). Is three too young for children to know they’re a different gender? Transgender researchers disagree. KQED. https://www.kqed.org/futureofyou/440851/can-you-really-know-that-a-3-year-old-is-transgender

CBN News. (2021). “drag queen story hour” coming into homes on PBS “let’s learn” TV series. https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/entertainment/2021/may/drag-queen-story-hour-coming-into-homes-on-pbs-lets-learn-tv-series

Cowen, T. (2007). Why don’t American kids respect their parents more? Marginal REVOLUTION. https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2007/11/why-dont-americ.html

Crabtree, S. (2022). One in four Americans feel U.S. children are not respected. Gallup.Com. https://news.gallup.com/poll/232502/one-four-americans-feel-children-not-respected.aspx

Divecha, D. (2018). Teenagers might have a problem with respect but it’s not the one you think. Developmental Science. https://www.developmentalscience.com/blog/2017/11/29/teenagers-might have-a-problem-with-respect-but-its-not-the-one-you-think

NBC Universal. (2009). R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Where has it gone? TODAY.Com. https://www.today.com/popculture/r-e-s-p-e-c-t-where-has-it-wbna33229370

Prager, D. (2018). The rational Bible: Exodus. Regnery Faith.

The Daily Babel: 2022 Midterm Elections ‘The Most Important Event Since All of History COMBINED’

    June 3, 2022 – Stephen Sapp

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Newly-appointed White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, filled the shoes of her predecessors with confidence at yesterday’s news conference. Facing her toughest question since being promoted, she handled the nefarious attack articulately and with great poise in a way that all who came before her would be proud. 

 

After a few opening remarks, the question came as oft-maligned FOX News White House correspondent, Peter Doocy, refused to waste any time in putting Jean-Pierre’s feet to the fire. In common Doocy style, his hard-hitting question was asked, “How does President Biden view the fast-approaching midterm elections?” 

 

Jean-Pierre seemed ready to answer immediately as if her response had been rehearsed or stated in similar fashion leading up to every election over the last two decades. Her answer, which will in no doubt find itself etched in the annals of the ages, was clear: “President Biden has declared this upcoming election ‘as the most important event since all of history combined—past and future.’” 

 

Seemingly shocked, Doocy followed up this answer by asking, “Don’t you think that is a bit exaggerated and only feeding the sensationalism of our modern culture?”  

 

Jean-Pierre’s answer was both succinct and simple, “No.”

 

The rest of the White House press corps present said nothing for the remainder of the conference feeling the weight of the election coming in less than six short months. 

 

Exiting, one journalist who asked to remain anonymous, did put the shared feeling into words when he said, “Many have described elections as ‘crucial,’ ‘ground-breaking,’ and have even compared their importance to ‘having enough oxygen to survive,’ but none have ever been referred to in such strong language as today. May God have mercy on our souls. And may the odds be ever in our favor.” 

 

Correction: The last statement of the quoted ‘anonymous journalist’ has since been deemed a misquote due to its implication that he might have been holding a ballot box already filled with marked ballots. Please disregard that statement.