Comments on: Cheap Humility http://www.truthandrepose.com/2009/05/19/what-it-means-to-be-humbled/ "God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:25:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Kevin W. Rhodes http://www.truthandrepose.com/2009/05/19/what-it-means-to-be-humbled/comment-page-1/#comment-893 Kevin W. Rhodes Tue, 26 May 2009 14:53:05 +0000 http://www.truthandrepose.com/?p=418#comment-893 I believe most people understand the point of the joke. Indeed, even those who have scored relatively well on the ACT tend to leave the test realizing how little they know; therefore, I fail to see how it was a jab at anyone's intelligence--including LeBron's. The contrast was between situations--a session of praise, on the one hand, versus a grueling test seeking weaknesses, on the other. Therefore, I think it very harsh indeed to indicate that Drew somehow fell short of love, faith, and purity. To me, this brings up another issue. While we should be patient with those who are weak, we are not to allow them to rule us. I am afraid that many current interpretations of love lead exactly to that. My own character has been questioned at times simply because of my pressing someone to provide a biblical answer instead of just an opinion. Does that person's judgment now become the truth? I would hope not. I do not wish to downplay the responsibility of a gospel preacher to live as an example (1 Tim. 4:12); however, he also has the responsibility to preach the Word without compromise in as effective way as possible (2 Tim. 4:2-4). Sometimes pointed examples, contrast, and sarcasm are part of that. Now, it would be nice, perhaps, if this were unnecessary; however, in my experience, today's listening audience often requires such just in order to get the point. I have observed others whose main object seems to be not to offend; the declining spiritual state of those who hear them does not recommend the approach. I know I went far beyond the context of this particular discussion, and I do not doubt the sincerity of anyone who has commented; however, without the proper balance, the weakest spiritually end up determining what you tell them. Postmodernism and political correctness have elevated such matters so that the person who is offended by simple hyperbole is given all the control. If that happens in the church, we are in trouble because it will take away the power of preaching in the manner of the most effective spokesmen for God, those whose hyperbole and sarcasm was inspired. I believe most people understand the point of the joke. Indeed, even those who have scored relatively well on the ACT tend to leave the test realizing how little they know; therefore, I fail to see how it was a jab at anyone’s intelligence–including LeBron’s. The contrast was between situations–a session of praise, on the one hand, versus a grueling test seeking weaknesses, on the other.

Therefore, I think it very harsh indeed to indicate that Drew somehow fell short of love, faith, and purity.

To me, this brings up another issue. While we should be patient with those who are weak, we are not to allow them to rule us. I am afraid that many current interpretations of love lead exactly to that. My own character has been questioned at times simply because of my pressing someone to provide a biblical answer instead of just an opinion. Does that person’s judgment now become the truth? I would hope not.

I do not wish to downplay the responsibility of a gospel preacher to live as an example (1 Tim. 4:12); however, he also has the responsibility to preach the Word without compromise in as effective way as possible (2 Tim. 4:2-4). Sometimes pointed examples, contrast, and sarcasm are part of that. Now, it would be nice, perhaps, if this were unnecessary; however, in my experience, today’s listening audience often requires such just in order to get the point. I have observed others whose main object seems to be not to offend; the declining spiritual state of those who hear them does not recommend the approach.

I know I went far beyond the context of this particular discussion, and I do not doubt the sincerity of anyone who has commented; however, without the proper balance, the weakest spiritually end up determining what you tell them. Postmodernism and political correctness have elevated such matters so that the person who is offended by simple hyperbole is given all the control. If that happens in the church, we are in trouble because it will take away the power of preaching in the manner of the most effective spokesmen for God, those whose hyperbole and sarcasm was inspired.

]]> By: Drew http://www.truthandrepose.com/2009/05/19/what-it-means-to-be-humbled/comment-page-1/#comment-890 Drew Wed, 20 May 2009 22:11:37 +0000 http://www.truthandrepose.com/?p=418#comment-890 Thanks for reading, Jim. I appreciate what you said about my sarcasm. Maybe I went too far with that joke about the ACT. I personally didn't think it was out of line when I wrote it, otherwise, I wouldn't have printed it. My readers will have to be the judge. Humility cuts at our weaknesses. I suppose I was merely trying to imagine James in a real scenario of humility, something other than a press conference where everybody is praising him for his skill in basketball. My article wasn't about LeBron James. I merely wanted to juxtapose his flippant view of humility with the true humility of Christ. If you want me to talk about how I feel about sports celebrities, I will. I think they have become horrible role models for our children. Actually, Lebron James seems to be one of the few respectable athletes we have left. I'm sorry I didn't live up to the example of love, faith, and purity that is expected of ministers. I'll try to do better. Thanks for reading, Jim. I appreciate what you said about my sarcasm. Maybe I went too far with that joke about the ACT. I personally didn’t think it was out of line when I wrote it, otherwise, I wouldn’t have printed it. My readers will have to be the judge.

Humility cuts at our weaknesses. I suppose I was merely trying to imagine James in a real scenario of humility, something other than a press conference where everybody is praising him for his skill in basketball.

My article wasn’t about LeBron James. I merely wanted to juxtapose his flippant view of humility with the true humility of Christ.

If you want me to talk about how I feel about sports celebrities, I will. I think they have become horrible role models for our children. Actually, Lebron James seems to be one of the few respectable athletes we have left.

I’m sorry I didn’t live up to the example of love, faith, and purity that is expected of ministers. I’ll try to do better.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.truthandrepose.com/2009/05/19/what-it-means-to-be-humbled/comment-page-1/#comment-889 Aaron Wed, 20 May 2009 14:21:07 +0000 http://www.truthandrepose.com/?p=418#comment-889 Thank you for this beautiful truth. Well said and thought out. I appreciate your hard work! Thank you for this beautiful truth. Well said and thought out. I appreciate your hard work!

]]> By: Jim Canada http://www.truthandrepose.com/2009/05/19/what-it-means-to-be-humbled/comment-page-1/#comment-888 Jim Canada Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:17 +0000 http://www.truthandrepose.com/?p=418#comment-888 Hello Drew. I'm a preacher who reads your blog. I enjoy your content and the wit with which you deliver it. But I think your sarcasm got out ahead of your heart this time. While I understand the point you are making about humility, I think your comment about the ACT humbling Lebron James is an inappropriate and somewhat arrogant joke. I am not trying to embarass you by this post, but it just seems ironic that you would mock someone for their discussion of humility - certainly you can see the irony. I know that you are aware that Paul told Timothy that ministers need to be examples in love, faith, and purity. I just wanted to remind you. In Love, Jim C Hello Drew. I’m a preacher who reads your blog. I enjoy your content and the wit with which you deliver it. But I think your sarcasm got out ahead of your heart this time.
While I understand the point you are making about humility, I think your comment about the ACT humbling Lebron James is an inappropriate and somewhat arrogant joke.
I am not trying to embarass you by this post, but it just seems ironic that you would mock someone for their discussion of humility – certainly you can see the irony.
I know that you are aware that Paul told Timothy that ministers need to be examples in love, faith, and purity. I just wanted to remind you.
In Love,
Jim C

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