Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.
Psalm 119:29
Some highlight parts of the Bible they cannot accept. As Christ-followers, we should allow the Bible to highlight the parts of our life that it declares unacceptable.
The Golden Triangle: A recent study suggests that Americans have a favorable view of religion, but that they want it out of politics. And yet…they want values in society. Hmm. Values based on what? Their opinion? The mood of the moment? Hollywood movies? The views of the local school board? In this article, Os Guinness explains the genius of the American system, and what is required for freedom and civility to last.
The General Survey: There are surveys, and then there are SURVEYS. The University of Chicago’s Annual Survey – which was started in 1972 – ranks among the latter. The graphs in this brief article about this year’s results are quite telling. It’s obvious: some things are changing and other things are not.
The Literal Definition of Literal: I’m occasionally asked if I read the Bible literally. The question is often a setup. Those on the left ask it with a sneer: “You are not such an idiot as to read the Bible literally, are you?” Those on the right ask it while flashing their Bible-Sheriff badge. “Don’t you read the Bible literally?” They appear to hope I’ll say, “No,” so they can scream, “I knew it. I knew you were a liberal. I knew it all along.” I’ve learned to avoid both groups by responding, “Do I read the Bible literally? Well I guess that depends, what is your literal definition of literal?”
Foles 2.0: In light of the positive comments generated by last week’s Nick Foles’ clip, here is a second one. This time he’s not explaining how to trust God when things are going wrong, he is calmly calling a trick play…on 4th down…in the Red Zone…with a yard to go…in the 2017 Super Bowl. Oh that we were all so cool.
Change: As a management consultant, I frequently referenced the equation: F1 > F2 = SQ. It meant, if the fear of change is greater than the fear of not changing, the Status Quo will prevail. After I cited this equation, management teams would either explore ways to defang the fear of change, or talk about ways to elevate the fear of not changing, or both. I have been thinking about this equation a lot lately, only not in the context of organizations. I’ve been thinking about it more in terms of a person’s life. What is fear keeping you from doing?
What to Watch: I was overwhelmed with recommendations for things to watch. I have seen only a few of these. I am passing them along – without comment – in alphabetical order. I am also deciding not to do a “what to watch.” If we come across something we want to recommend, I’ll do so. But, I’ve decided not to be your TV/movie guide. The Recs from Others: 30 by 30 (ESPN), The Art of Racing in the Rain, Chernobyl, Driving Miss Daisy, Ford v. Ferrari, Glory Gran Torino, Ground Hog Day, Harriet, Hoosiers, In the Heat of the Night, Inside Bill’s Brain, The Way, To Kill a Mockingbird, Red Sea Diving Resort, Return to Me, Right Now Media Resources, Schindler’s List, Signs, Stand By Me, The Queen of Katwe. One more rec from us: The Band of Brothers. Sheri and I really enjoyed the Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg adaptation of Steven Ambrose’s novel about Easy Company – from their induction through the War’s end.
So, what is the Literal Definition of Literal? The word literal comes from the Latin word litera, which means letter. To interpret something literally means you pay attention to the letters. To interpret the Bible literally means the normal rules of grammar, speech, syntax and context apply. I believe the Bible is a very special book – indeed that it is God’s Word. But that doesn’t change how it is read. Nouns are still nouns. Verbs are still verbs. The first job of the reader is to figure out what the writer meant. (For more on this, read “Hermeneutics: The Science of Interpretation,” in R.C. Sproul’s 1977 book, Knowing Scripture.
By the Way, Happy New Year: I can imagine that some of you are thinking I am rushing things. Don’t we need to get through Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Boxing Day and our culture’s other high holy days first? No. The church calendar begins with Advent- the time of preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. This year Advent begins on December 1. Happy New Year.
Closing Prayer: O Lord God, most merciful Father and Savior. Seeing it has pleased you to command us to labor that we may relieve our need, we ask for your grace to bless our labors, that your blessing may extend unto us, without which we are not able to continue, and that this great favor may be a witness to us of your bountifulness and assistance, so that we may know the fatherly care that you have over us. Moreover O Lord, we ask you to strengthen us with your Holy Spirit, that we may faithfully work in our vocations without fraud or deceit, and that we may follow your holy laws, rather than seek to satisfy our greedy affections or desire of gain. And if it pleases you, O Lord, to prosper our labors, Give us a mind also to help those in need, according to the ability that your mercy may give us; And knowing that all good things come from you, grant that we may humble ourselves to our neighbors, and not lift ourselves above those who may not have received so liberal a portion of your mercy as you have given to us. Hear us O Lord of mercy, through Jesus Christ. Amen. (A Puritan Prayer from the 1800s)