The Daily Babel: One Man’s ‘Crazy’ Explanation for Fake Glasses Craze

October 24, 2022 – Stephen Sapp

RICHMOND, VA-- Supply and demand. We have heard about it our entire lives. It is the ethos by which our country’s Capitalistic economy runs and thrives. But what does it mean? And what does it have to do with the recent explosion in eyewear sales including the fake ones? One man believes he has the answer. And his answer will probably surprise you.  

 

When the demand for something is high, the supply of that object becomes more valuable. This is true not only for the buyer but also for the seller. And this fact is shown in the rising price tag and the continual willingness of buyers to pay for it. So why is the demand for eyewear so high in today’s society?

 

Most people would say it’s because eyesight is simply important or because the glasses of modern day have become more fashionable. So fashionable in fact that those who don’t need them regularly wear them to awards shows, date nights, and Walmart with their pajamas. But one man believes the answer to the modern trend lies within the pages of Old Testament scripture. 

 

Solomon Richards is the pastor of a small church in Richmond, Virginia, and a self-proclaimed sociologist. With such accolades, Richards believes there is more to the recent surge of sales in this department than meets the eye. He believes it is because of how important personal opinions have become to seemingly every individual. 

 

“A person wearing glasses, needed or not, says to society that they take their view on things seriously no matter what the rest of their outfit might convey,” Richards states.

 

He adds, “From politics to religion, when people feel they are always right and their opinion on every topic definitive, their view becomes the most important thing to them. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes in the book of Judges. It’s happening here now.”

 

As Richards continues to age, his own sight is beginning to dim. Some would say this is the cause for his crazy, off-the-wall take on a simple fashion trend. While others actually believe his view on things is bringing the cause for such a trend sharper into focus. 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous: "Christian Love & Compassion" - Ron

A family of disheveled and dirty individuals sat by the roadside on a Sunday morning. The women were dressed in the typical Muslim fashion, and it was obvious that they were all in some distress. The mother was sitting on a tattered suitcase, holding a screaming baby wrapped in a dirty blanket. The rest of their belongings were tossed carelessly on the side of the road. Smoke was pouring out from the engine of the car, and the look on the weary father’s face told the story: the vehicle was beyond repair – both financially and literally. An older sibling desperately tried to corral two dirty-barefooted toddlers.

In the distance, a car appeared. The father’s eyes lit up as it drew closer. In the car, the local pastor was on his way to church. Though the father waved frantically, the pastor told himself that he could not be late on his ministry and the people. He drove on by. After all, church had to start on time and it could not begin without him.

A second car came barreling down the road. This one was driven by a deacon from another church in the area. He slowed down as he passed, but certainly had no time to stop. It was expected that he be early for services, as a good example. And he was always the one to start the coffee for his Sunday school class. So he, too, drove on.

A third car drove up to the weary travelers and rolled to a stop. Out of the vehicle jumped the most outspoken atheist in town. He prided himself on never having attended a church service. He called the Bible useless garbage, and those that followed Its teachings, he called worse names than that. He enquired as to the family’s needs and discovered that they were new to the country. Everything they owned was on the side of the road. He patiently loaded them into his vehicle, speaking calmly to each of the children. He then collected their belongings and loaded them into and on top of the car. He drove them to a local motel, where he paid upfront for a week’s lodging, while the father looked for work in town. He even gave him the names of some contacts. He then arranged and paid for a rental car for the family to use, and left a small amount of cash for food and some items for the baby. Before he left, he gave his contact information to the front desk, advising them that he would pay for another week if it came to that.

Which of these three men showed Christian love and compassion? Which of these three was the most neighborly?

In case you missed it, we have just modernized the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is in Luke 10:25-37. According to Henry Virkler’s book on Hermeneutics, “because a parable does not confront us in the same way as it did the audiences of Jesus, some scholars suggest that the best way to understand a parable is to retell it with new points of reference that elicit the same response in today’s audience that the original parable did in its own.”

Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart once did this very thing by modernizing the Good Samaritan in their own way. Their conclusion? “The startled and angry response made it clear that our hearers had really heard the parable for the first time in their lives.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “I would dedicate the nation to the policy of the Good Samaritan.” Secular Humanist Bertrand Russell pushed this theme as well when he said that “what the world needs is Christian love and compassion.” Standing the test of time is the parable, given by Jesus Christ, of the Good Samaritan. It could perhaps be called the parable of the neighbor, although it arose from a question the importance of which far surpasses the simplicity of “who is my neighbor.”

Nonetheless, even in our country charitable organizations and companies often include the name Samaritan. Even hospitals and clinics bear the reference. We are familiar with slogans such as: “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” “Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man,” and even, “All-State, you’re in good hands.”

All of these slogans, and many more, find familiarity in the parable of the good Samaritan. And yet, during the time of Christ, being a Samaritan was not a good thing at all. Robert Lee, in his book Handfuls on Purpose, says that “by this glowing parable, our Lord has rescued from reproach the word Samaritan.” And truly, that is a wonderful side-note to this passage in Scripture.

A name that was synonymous with worthlessness, contempt, and rubbish, has been redeemed by Christ Himself and brought up to dizzying heights. For by and large, when the name Samaritan is used now it is in reference to help, hope, and health. And this is what Christ can do. Here, with a simple parable, and in the lives of people everywhere. He can take the broken, the worthless, the write-offs, the hopeless, and he redeems them – making them precious.

Sometimes, our neighbors can be tough.

One time, my wife and I were trying to annoy the person whose apartment balcony was next to ours. I guess annoy is the right word. We stood on our balcony and threw mega-blocks (large Legos) onto his balcony. He never came out of his apartment, but we found the blocks neatly outside our door the next day.

Bob Phillips notes this witty bit of sarcasm in one of his books, “Summer must be over, my neighbor just returned my lawn furniture.” And there is also the saying, “My neighbor is keeping me broke. He keeps buying new things.” Which speaks right to the familiar phrase, “Keeping up with the Joneses,” which we all know means we don’t want to be outdone by our neighbors.

And yet, Bertrand Russell, in spite of humanistic worldview, hit the target: the world does need Christian love and compassion. Recently, I saw a Facebook post from PragerU that said a survey of atheists showed that they wished more people would go to church. I didn't read the article or view the survey, but this would actually fall right in line with Russell's thinking.

If only more Christians would live out the love and compassion Christ modeled for us and demands from us. The finger of the parable is pointed straight at us and our compassion and love has been called into question. And what are some of these pointed questions that we ought to answer?

Are we reaching out the way that we ought to be? Are we truly showing the love and compassion of Christ, regardless of how much it costs us, regardless of how much time it may take, regardless of how uncomfortable it may be? Do we dare to ask God to give us His heart for those who need it most? Do we have the courage to confess a lack of compassion, if it exists?

Jesus said to the lawyer, "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? " And he said, "He that shewed mercy on him." Then said Jesus unto him, "Go, and do thou likewise" (Luke 10:36-37).

Jesus forced the lawyer into action. There is no place for the in-one-ear-and-out-the-other approach in this parable. The finger is pointed at us.

Miscellaneous: “Peter, Foundation Rock & Stumbling Block” - Ben

And Jesus said to Simon, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt.  16:18) This is one of the most controversial passages in the New Testament.  For instance, Catholics use it to justify papal authority in all things.  They argue that Peter was the sole foundation upon which the church rested.  Protestants, understandably, disagree.  And various interpretative tracks have been taken throughout the years to provide far more plausible alternatives.  Personally (and this will come as no surprise), I lean heavily to the side of Protestantism in this debate.  Jesus was not making Peter the sole foundation stone.  That disciple was one among many and the first in a long line.  The point that Jesus was trying to make was that his church wasn't a Temple building but a community—an ekklēsia (“church”)—of people that confess Jesus to be the Messiah.  We are as much the foundation, walls, and roof of the church as Peter and the first-century Christians were. 

However, what often gets overlooked in this passage because of this Catholic vs. Protestant debate is how Peter goes from being portrayed as a foundation rock to being characterized as a stumbling block (cf. Mat. 16:23).  This change comes because right on the heels of Peter's confession that Jesus was the Messiah, the Lord proceeds to tell his disciples about how he'll eventually suffer and die in Jerusalem (cf. Mat. 16:21-23). This prediction contradicted who Peter thought the Messiah would be.  He assumed that “the Christ” was a political revolutionary who would throw off the shackles of Roman oppression.  Growing up, Peter no doubt thought (just as many of his peers did) that the mysterious Messiah figure in the OT was a victor, not a loser.  "The Christ" would go to Jerusalem.  Peter wouldn't argue that.  But the Messiah would go to Israel to rally forces, not die.  And so, this faulty assumption fueled such a profound hubris that Peter began to rebuke the very one he had just proclaimed to be the Anointed One of the living God (cf. Matt. 16:22). 

In turn, Jesus rebukes Peter using the Greek term skándalon, which has various translations from "hindrance" (ESV), "offense" (KJV), or "stumbling block" (NIV).  In my opinion, it seems the translators of the NIV got it right as a skándalon referred to any impediment or trap (i.e., string, stick, stone, etc.) that was placed in the way of something or someone that would cause them to be either ensnared or to stumble and fall.  Thus, the "stumbling block" is an apt metaphor for what Peter was doing given that he was, quite literally, standing in Jesus' way and trying to trip him up (cf. Mat. 16:22).  But Jesus would not be deterred.  He humbled Peter that day, forever imprinting on him the importance of his mission which had always been to suffer for the sins of humanity. 

So, why am I bringing this up?  Because depending on our motives, we can either be masonry material for the Kingdom of God or a rocky obstacle impeding others.  We must be vigilant about what drives us because, in a moment, we can get something so right but then turn around and get something else so wrong.  As we read today, Peter swung between follower and foe within the breadth of just a few minutes (cf. Matt 16:13-28).  We would do well to remember that we are no better. 

But how do we avoid making the same mistake that Peter made?  We should ask ourselves daily, "Am I someone humbly following Jesus?  Or am I someone who is pridefully standing in his way?" If our goal is self-sacrifice, we'll be used as a foundation stone.  But if our aim is self-preservation, we'll become a stone of stumbling.

Matthew 16:24-27 (ESV)

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?  Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?  For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 

The 10 Commandments for the Modern World | The Ninth: Equality 'for All' - Stephen

 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

[Exodus 20:16]

To the Writers of The Middlings, 

I’m asking for some help. Here’s my problem—I can’t relate to certain people and their sin. 

Folks these days are just so messed up. I know we have all sinned, but many today just seem like they are on a whole other level. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, my sin was definitely sinful. I needed forgiveness and Jesus in my life as much as the next guy. But I don’t think I was ever as far gone as some of these people. 

I would have never once thought about some of the things people actually do where I live. They seem chained to their sin with no possible way of escape. They seem so devoted to their flaws that they are willing to do anything to stay in their lifestyles. Lifestyles so full of death if you ask me. 

I guess I’m just writing to see if you can help in any way. 

Help me relate. Help me understand. Help me to believe there’s hope for a society that seems so much more lost and sinful than I ever was.

Sincerely, 

Daemon

Gadara of Decapolis  

 

 

Could you ever imagine the Demoniac of Gadara actually writing something like this? The same man who was living in a graveyard, cutting himself with stones, and possessed with thousands of demonic hosts (cf. Mark 5:1-20). Of course you couldn’t. Yet you might hesitate with your answer because maybe, like me, you have had a very similar attitude towards others we ourselves have deemed “too far gone.”  

The truth is we are all sinners before God. Which, in turn, makes us all in need of a Savior. Our sin might be different and take various forms, but it is all counted the same before the same holy God. And all those sins will send us all to an eternity in hell. 

As Christians, we know these things. But maybe, like this guy, we struggle to believe that repentance is possible for one of those sinners we judge “too far” because we fail to remember the sinfulness of our own hearts before accepting Christ. Never forget that “respectable sins” is a label we provide, not God. 

“I was in a bible study and a pimp walked through the door.

And I said to the pimp, ‘You can’t do that kind of work no more.’

He begged for forgiveness and his knees hit the floor.

With his eyes to the sky, he asked forgiveness from the Lord.

 

However, I was sitting in church and a predatory lender walked through the door,

The leaders said to him, ‘Would you like a seat on the elder’s board?’

With a smile on his face and accolades galore,

We celebrated this man even though he exploited the poor.”[1]

Whether we were the pimp or the lender, a selfish businessman or transgender, we were all equally “too far.” 

We were all equally lost. 

We were all equally sinners whose righteousness was as “filthy rags.”[2]

Sure, we could “whitewash” the outside but, as Jesus would say, the inside would still be filled with “dead man’s bones.”[3]

To convey anything else would be to “bear false witness against your neighbor” to the detriment of the Gospel, not its advancement. 

So, let’s not whitewash the memories of our own repentance at the cross. Instead, let’s be honest about the filthiness of who we were before Christ so that equality after the cross can be imagined by all. Like the Demoniac, the scars of our sin, literal or mere recollections, are left to remind us of that very thing.  

May we not allow ourselves to ever forget that it wasn’t the thief being crucified, the adulterous woman at the well, or this man bound by chains possessed by demons in the audience when the hope of John 3:16 was originally proclaimed—it was a religious leader.[7]

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

[Romans 3:23]

And that is where equality “for all” begins.

---

[1] Sho Baraka, The Hutchmoot Podcast, February 14, 2022. 

[2] Isaiah 64:6

[3] Matthew 23:27

[4] Luke 23:33-43

[5] John 4:1-30

[6] Mark 5:1-15

[7] John 3:1-21