MAY 2015 EDITION

I have a confession to make.  I am a dinosaur.  The discovery has been in process for some time now. It is, I must say, very disconcerting. What are the evidences behind this discovery? Let me enumerate several indications:

I like my pants to have a sharp crease in them. I like my shirts ironed and tucked in. On the latter, I had the rude awakening to the fact of my antiquity when attending a Young Life camp; the program leader announced with great laughter that today the camp would have a day where everyone would tuck in their shirt!  I looked down and found that I was ahead of the game! I find that wearing bright colors is now passé for men. We are consigned to wear grays, and browns, and tans and all sorts of muted colors. We are now the only species of males that do not wear plumage that is more brilliant! I prefer my shoes shined, wherever possible. I enjoy dressing well and wearing a tie every now and then. (I must admit that the occasion to wear a suit presents itself fewer and fewer times, mainly weddings and funerals, though even then, I may find myself in the minority.) I will, for the most part, still wear a coat and tie to church. I am only one of the three men in attendance to do so, out of a church of several hundred. Somehow, the thought of “wife beater” tee shirts, shorts and flip-flops and church seem incongruous (go figure!) Is every man now expected to have at least day old beards or a goatee?  Is a man’s hair required to be uncombed or greasy and spiked?

I think the English language has taken a beating in recent years. One of the most mystifying trends occurs when you say “Thank You” to someone in the service business, like wait persons in restaurants, and they respond, “No Problem.” What is that? I never said there was a problem! I know there was no problem. I once tipped a waitperson or server (using the politically correct term) extra because she said. “You’re Welcome.” I appreciate the employees at Chic-Fil-A who respond, “My Pleasure.” When did, “He goes” replace. “He said”? When did it become necessary to say, “You Know” at the end of every sentence, either I do or do not know! Is everything “Awesome”?  Have we done away with gender identification when a mixed group of men and women are addressed as “You Guys”? When did it become sexist to open or hold a door open for a woman? Do any men still rise when a woman enters a room or woman acquaintance approaches your table? I will admit to one concession to vanity, when dressed informally, to wearing a cap indoors for fear of exposing my “hat head! I know, I need to get over this and do the right thing. 

Now, let me discuss things of which I may be considered a dinosaur but I feel are important to me personally. Some of these things are personal preference issues and I understand those who differ with me.  I am  pretty much a traditionalist when it comes to church music. I love the great hymns of the church for both their tunes and theological content. I do hope that their appearance on worship lists will not disappear completely.  I do have a problem with contemporary music and musicians who appear to be more about the “show” and being the center of worship rather than an aid to worship. The worship leader at my church actually moved the musicians off the stage and made them less visible in order to focus on whom we are worshipping. In addition, a matter of taste is the songs, which are repetitive in nature. I call them 7/11 songs, seven words sung eleven times. For some, the emotional experience of worship is enhanced by the repetition, for me, not so much; but, again, I emphasize, it is a matter of personal preference. 

There are theological issues which I believe are not subject to changes in contemporary culture. For several thousand years marriage has been defined as between a man and a woman. It is defined as such in the Bible. It has been foundational in all cultures until very recently. How far can you take it once you break the Biblical definition of marriage? Why stop with allowing two men or two women to marry? What then is wrong with polygamy? Additionally, casual sex and cohabitation outside marriage is the accepted norm even among evangelical Christians. 

Another tragic consequence of our “modern” society is the fact that the sanctity of life is being violated on both ends of life. On the front end, we have permitted the taking of human life by the millions since Rowe V. Wade legalized the aborting of innocent life even up to the point of birth. In addition, recently two U.S. states and several foreign countries have passed laws legalizing assisted suicide. 

I could go on and on with what some may consider the ranting of an old man but I feel the time for me to speak out has come. Please understand that my opinions on matters of taste, however outdated they may seem, are just that…my opinion. Other issues which are in contradiction with the Bible are non-negotiable issues for me.

I will remain a “dinosaur” in areas of Biblical truth.

Know that I love you all and appreciate your friendship and support.