This chapter highlighted Religious, Utilitarian, and Legalistic Perspectives, and had a lot of really interesting information.
On page 82, the text says since we are made in the image of God, we should communicate with others in the same way we worship the Lord. For many Christians that would mean in a respectful, honorable, and kind way.
Just listening to the way people communicate with one another is enough to make someone feel sick sometimes. Bad language, cursing, "put-downs," manipulation are among the many bad things happening with communication in our society today. Look at rap songs for example. "Sexy Bitch" by David Guetta featuring Akon is an example. The lyrics read:
"...I'm trying to find the words to describe this girl
Without being disrespectful
Damn Girl
Damn Girl you'se a sexy bitch, a sexy bitch, a sexy bitch..."
(http://www.lyricsyoulove.com/d/david_guetta/sexy_bitch/)
and it continues on from there. Mass media plays a huge role in determining people's ethical standards. For example if they see their favorite movie star, singer, song writer, and so on, acting in a certain way (ethical or not) they may be inclined to mimic those actions to be more like their favorite person/people.
If we are trying to use our communication to resemble the way we worship, what would this be saying to the Lord?
Switching gears, on page 82 also Johannesen quotes Kyle Haselden saying the Ten Commandments are "'detailed, inflexible, always appropriate moral codes' which are 'adequate for all times, places, person and circumstances.'" I wonder if this is always true. Is it unethical to lie (which violates the 10 commandments) if it means saving someone's life? Is it unethical to dishonor your mother or father if it means protecting them against someone or something?
These areas are a bit fuzzy for me. I want to honor the Lord by following these commandments, but are they really appropriate for "all times, places, person and circumstances?"
What do you think?
Actually, the commandment is not to bear false witness. Does that mean in a court of law, not to say you witnessed something you did not? Or that you did not witness something that you did? :-)
ReplyDeleteOther texts, however, talk about liars and their fate.
How would you "dishonor" your parents in order to protect them from something? I'm not sure I get a "situation" where this would be a temptation. However, honoring your father and mother can sometimes be yukky -- like when I had to attend to my dying father's physical needs. But doing so while trying to respect his dignity was "honoring" him (I think).