For God so loved the world that He gave His only son.
John 3:16
If these words are a bit shop worn – i.e., if they do not stagger you – you need to slow down and let them do their work. In John 15 we are told that the greatest display of love possible happens when one dies for another. Without suggesting this is not true, I would far rather die than send one of my sons to his death. God the father sent His only son…for you.
Valentine’s Day: Like many “holidays,” Valentine’s Day started as a “holy-day.”
Details are sketchy, but the commemoration seems to pivot around a 3rd century martyr named Valentine, who secretly performed Christian marriage ceremonies for Roman guards. (Emperor Claudius, who opposed Christianity, did not allow his soldiers to marry – believing their entire devotion belonged to Rome). Some think there is more to the story. Perhaps there is. You can read Mike Metzger’s take here. Suffice it to say, discussions about the real meaning of Feb. 14th are more enjoyable if you don’t forget the holiday. Next Friday is Feb. 14th. You’ve been reminded.
Time Will Tell: Some cultural prognosticators are claiming that Gen Z is pushing back on progressivism. Perhaps. Cultural pendulums swing back and forth. But as a rule, societies start conservative and move left. Serious movement to the right generally only happens because of war or religious revival.
Time Did Tell: Alan Bloom was a prophet. The Closing of the American Mind(1987), his critique of relativism, especially within higher education – was panned when it came out, but now looks prescient. You can read more here.
Speaking of the University: This recent WSJ article notes that identity politics do not wait for college. “The industry that produces baby books, picture books, chapter books and novels read by America’s children and teenagers” is also undergoing ideological capture. Laura Ingalls Wilder (of the Little House on the Prairie fame) is now out of favor with the American Library Association.
Remember your Role: Many approach church as consumers – i.e., as an audience. Kierkegaard reminds us that worshippers are not an audience, nor are pastors entertainers. Instead, “worshippers are performers; pastors are prompters; and God is the audience.”
The State of Men: I was aware that men are confused. Nevertheless, I was surprised by how many are flailing: 1) this chart compares men versus women; 2) this WSJ article notes that – as of last week – women now outnumber men in the US workforce; 3) and this long article from National Affairs shows how long this trend has been developing.
Without Comment:
- Democratic professors outnumber Republicans nine to one.
- Half of all Americans have two or fewer confidants with whom they can share their deepest desires or fears; 25% report there is no one they could talk to about such things; 47% report having no meaningful in-person human interaction on a daily basis. And, this topic’s most disconcerting stat, emerging generations are the loneliest.
- Prior to Washington State’s decision to legalize recreational marijuana, 8% of drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for THC. That rate has since doubled.
Andy Reid for President: Last Sunday – i.e., America’s High Holy Day – the NFL celebrated 100 years and the Super Bowl had 102 million viewers. If you watched you know that the game was better than the commercials – though I liked this one – and the Half Time show was another interesting window into our national norms. Let me join the chorus of those celebrating Andy Reid. The moment I am most likely to remember came late in the fourth quarter. The Chief’s needed a first down to avoid giving SF another shot. On the third down, Damien Williams not only got the first down, he scored a touchdown – sealing the Chief’s win. It was a high drama moment, but as the cameras scanned the Chief’s sideline, the one person not celebrating was Reid. Instead, he was signaling the plan to go for one extra point not two. I love the look of calm leadership. Let everyone else cheer. Someone needs to call the next play.
Coronavirus and the Church: As the infection spreads and the death toll climbs, it’s worth reminding ourselves that the early church grew in part because of the willingness of Christ’s followers to care for the sick. And they did this even when it put them at risk of infection and death. This frustrated Roman Emperor Julian, who lamented how many Roman citizens were being lead away from Roman gods. He wrote: “Atheism [i.e. the Christian faith!] has been specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers, and through their care for the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help that we should render them.” If you want to read more about this, you can read a Christianity Today article here, or a summary of Rodney Stark’s book –The Rise of Christianity – here.
Closing Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, I long to live in your presence, to see your human form and to watch you walking on earth. I do not want to see you through the darkened glass of tradition, nor through the eyes of today’s values and prejudices. I want to see you as you were, as you are, and as you always will be. I want to see you as an offense to human pride, as a man of humility, walking amongst the lowliest of men, and yet as the savior and redeemer of the human race. Amen. (Soren Kierkegaard, 1813 – 1855)