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#10 Hospitality

Biblical acceptance of others into our lives is more than a welcome mat at the front door

“Seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13)

Idea #10 demonstrates a longstanding biblical commitment to “the stranger”

SO WHAT? Getting attention, interest, “buy in”

“Porching” became a verb around Indianapolis when Joanna Taft (Executive Director, Harrison Center for the Arts) promoted the idea of front-porch entertaining in neighborhoods around Indianapolis. Inviting near-neighbors for food and drink is a great way to practice WELCOME.

Being “hospitable” in the Bible is much more than reciprocating a meal invitation. The Greek word literally means “friend of the stranger,” a definition that in the ancient world demanded more than a welcome mat at the front door.

Travel in the ancient world was difficult. Most everyone would need to walk which necessitated washing and deodorizing upon entry to a person’s home. [The perfect example of such service is Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet in John 13.] First Testament teaching about love for strangers is the basis for “philoxenia” (Deut 10:18-19). We are not to “fear the stranger” (xenophobia) but “seek to show hospitality” (Rom 12:13); as Hebrews 13:2 suggests, who knows but that we may “entertain angels unawares” (Abraham’s lesson in Genesis 18 is ours, the basis for the iconic picture here).

WHO CARES? Relation to student, potential applications

My mom is an exceptional example of hospitality. She has folks in her home for coffee and meals all the time. You may know someone like mom who would be the perfect person to talk about hospitality in your neighborhood.

Alpha Bible Study Program is based on food! That’s right! Hospitality around eating brings folks together to study God’s Word.

My Neurodiversity article with a focus on Autism in Christian Scholars Review (August 2020) is focuses not on how people are different but how everyone is unique, seeing folks not as strangers but as neighbors.

https://christianscholars.com/from-stranger-to-neighbor-neurodiversitys-visionary-opportunities-as-public-intellectuals-promote-the-common-good/

Charity – Humility in Argumentative Writing

Don’t miss my review of Charitable Writing and check out my two, six-minute videos on “Charity” and “Humility” created for public university students in a course I teach entitled “Argumentative Writing”

And what better testimony than that of Rosaria Butterfield. A once tenured Women’s Studies professor at Syracuse University and LGBTQ+ advocate explains that hospitality brought her to a saving faith in Jesus. Check out her book The Gospel Comes with a House Key.

Political hospitality is necessary between Progressives and Conservatives. Read / Watch our Truth in Two

Also see my comments via “Thoughtful Christians in Culture” #7 on politics in our a video series

And don’t miss my seventh review of Dreher’s Live Not By Lies where I discuss “doing good” as an attraction to the gospel for the public at large.

There are many ideas for bringing people together: Book Clubs, Movie Clubs, and even an English podcast series entitled “About Story” at public university (a series I started at IUPUI).

WHY SHOULD I? Reasons for investing time, thought

The air of superiority – outsiders saw Jesus’ preeminence and bowed to it. He did not cajole people into His point of view. Jesus’ line “he who has ears to hear, let him hear” is an imperative to leave it with the listener. Within The Church we parakaleo (encourage-exhort) bearing biblical responsibility to exacting assumptions, doctrines, and principles. Outside The Church we speak timeless truths, allowing The Spirit to do what He was sent to do “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (john 16:8). Inside The Church we speak of The preeminence of Christ. Outside The Church we speak of the distinctiveness of Christ.

We Christ followers operate in the “so that’s” of Titus 2:1-10. We live our faith before our local communities “so that the Word of God may not be reviled,” “so that an opponent may be put to shame, not having anything evil to say about us,” “so that we might make the doctrine of God our Savior attractive.” Our attraction is not accommodation for, collusion with, acquiescence to, or acceptance of cultural idols. No, our attraction is how we live. People will not like me and may well hate my point of view. My job is not to convince anyone outside The Church. My responsibility to my Lord is to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which I have been called, with all gentleness and humility” (Eph 4:1-2). I speak “the truth in love” not “tossed by every wind of doctrine” while demonstrating “their rock is not like our Rock” (Deut 32:31).

HOW DO I? Ways to be involved

Church History supplies examples (the following excerpts are from the links)

Benedictine Rule: In Benedict’s vision—expressed in the prologue to his Rule—the community is a “school of the Lord’s service,” an “institution of which we hope we are going to establish nothing harsh, nothing burdensome.” Despite emphasizing the renunciation of worldly pursuits and devotion to spiritual work, Benedict promoted hospitality to outsiders. The Rule makes provision for outsiders’ arrival: “Let all guests that happen to come be received as Christ.” Service to guests and the poor was a key part of the monastic life (see p. 15 for more details from the Rule).

Benedictines and Beer: Before she became the reformer Martin Luther’s wife, Katharinevon Bora was in the beer-brewing business—as a Benedictine nun. Yes, Benedictines were once famous for their beer. In the Middle Ages, beer was a staple for most people. Monks in particular needed the nutritional benefits of beer because of the fasting they did. So in the seventh and eighth centuries, they began brewing their own and eventually developed advanced methods of beer-making. A brewery required up to 100 monk workers.

Combine Benedictine beer with Benedictine hospitality and you get pubs! Important guests were given celia, made from hops (a type of flower) and barley, and pilgrims drank cervisa, made of wheat, oats, and hops. Some Benedictine monasteries are still brewing—the German beer Andechs, for instance. But we mustn’t forget what St. Benedict said about drinking: “Let us at least agree to drink sparingly, and not to satiety.”

Benedictines and Hospice Welcoming the stranger

More Benedictine Rules on Hospitality and the stranger

Dorothy Day’s Rule of Life

WHO SAYS? Authority, standard, influence

In 1 Timothy 3:2, 7 episcopas is an administrative term focused on leadership, which is called kalon ergon (a noble task, a beautiful work) a good activity (epithymeo a positive desire); not simply a function but born of the interiority of the person, the attributes, characteristics noted in the list to follow. Paul is concerned that Timothy remember the public nature of The Church; in chapter 2, vv 1-4 he is concerned for “all people” to pray for them that they might “be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth” that we might live a peaceful and quiety life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good and is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. Eusebia (“godliness” in Scripture) is a civil virtue which combines the inner and outer spheres of life (2:2; 3:16; 4:7, 8; 6:3, 5, 6, 11).

Church leadership in particular bears responsibility to demonstrate the virtue (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:8), as does the widow (1 Tim 5:10), but is to be practiced by all Christians “without grumbling” (1 Pet 4:9). Who are “strangers” and what “friendship” should be shown them? The application may vary among us. As an academic, I am concerned with the “hospitality of ideas,” hearing other points of view. As a church member, I care for fellow believers as I am able. As a citizen of my neighborhood and my country, the friendship I extend to strangers is a demonstration of what Paul calls a “beautiful work” (1 Tim 3:1, 2), an explanation of leadership.

Additional Resources. The Conversation Exchange encourages open dialogue. David I. Smith, The Spirit of the Foreign Language Classroom (Kuyers). David I. Smith, The Gift of the Stranger: Faith, Hospitality, and Foreign  Language Learning. David I. Smith, Learning from the Stranger: Christian Faith and Cultural Diversity. (Kuyers).

Government: Once Taken, Control is Never Given Back

Proverbs 28:2, “When a land transgresses, it has many rulers.”

This week’s Idea #9 is crucial to the sustenance of a free people.

SO WHAT? Getting attention, interest, “buy in”

“Government’s Role in a Free Nation” (here) is captured in our two-minute Truth in Two.

Alexsandr Solzhenitsyn’s experience is explained in another Truth in Two (here).

Further, Solzhenitsyn spoke about the problem that ran through every human heart (2 minutes).

WHO CARES? Relation to student, potential applications

My ten-part review of Live Not By Lies (here is a link to the first chapter) is available at MarkEckel.com. Each chapter review warns of the power of government against its own people. A warning for the United States and all free nations.

The review of Mr. Jones displays exactly what happens when dictators subjugate a people and the journalists who are supposed to cover the story, silence their pens.

Words matter to dictators. See video #12 in “Old Testament Overview” about “Prophets.”

For example, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the famed author of The Gulag Archipelago ended his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize in literature by quoting the Russian proverb tyrannical types hate: “One word of truth shall outweigh the whole world.” [Quoted in Edward E. Ericson, Jr. & Alexis Klimoff. 2008. The Soul and Barbed Wire: An Introduction to Solzhenitsyn. (ISI Books): 189.]

Why do leaders support the work of dictators abroad while loathing their own country and its principles? Read an excerpt from “Adversary Culture.” [Link to the article embedded.]

WHY SHOULD I? Reasons for investing time, thought

Over one hundred million (100,000,000) people died in the 20^th century at the hands of megalomaniac dictators. Many of these tyrants began their belief and practice based on atheism. To understand the 20^th century, one must begin with naturalism, materialism, and yes, atheism. YouTube abounds with testimonies about the horrors, those who hid others from discovery by jackbooted thugs, and those who in Providence were spared in the midst of bloodshed. Pick a dictator: Mao Zedong, Stalin, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Castro, they are all cut from the same cloth.

It is important for students to know history, especially this history. Why is it important to defend one’s beliefs, essential documents, country, or ideals? Why have people died in defense of freedom? To what lengths would we now go to stand athwart oppressors? These are questions that haunt me for my children and grandchildren; I hope they do for yours as well. You can find so many references to my concerns about totalitarianism (in every stripe) throughout MarkEckel.com. Use the search line for articles. Here I mention some of my videos that address the subject.

Cultural Mindset of First Testament Teaching (video) where I discuss ancient Near Eastern history and its connection to tyranny.

Prophets in First Testament teaching (video). Here I discuss that what Scripture writers wrote about has not changed in our world today. I mention some similar and expanded ideas in the minor prophet series on “prophecy” (video).

“Belief leads to consequence” is an approach to teaching in the first episode of Choice is Consequence (video) where I mention that the results of any worldview (totalitarian or otherwise) is an important marker.

HOW DO I? Ways to be involved

Standing against tyranny is a human struggle since Genesis 4. What has happened in Hong Kong over the last two years where the Communist Chinese Party in mainland China has coopted the democratic government and imprisoned or disappeared dissidents, is spoken about in my fifth overview of Rod Dreher’s book (here).

See my video on “control” (here) where I quote Toni Morrison and the care for language. Teach students at least that: words matter.

I believe the moral soul of a nation begins with its people (video here). Another lesson to teach.

I discuss the importance of music (article here) emphasizing that the songs people listen to matter. There is a reason why tyrants try to control music.

And an address I gave at Moody in 2004 when I taught there on persecution (article here) can be paired with my review of Dreher’s 9^th chapter (here).

How should I be involved? Stand up! Speak up! Sign up to support those who endure tyranny.

WHO SAYS? Authority, standard, influence

The Creator designed creation to operate in a certain manner (Ps 74.16-17; Jer 33:2, 25). Rule is given to a local person or universal law which oversees planning, development, or activity in earthly relationships (Gen 1-2). Authorities are intended to serve, lifting others up (Phil 2:1-11). The source of discord in authority relationships is sin. Genesis 3:16 cites abused authority (“and he shall rule over you”, indicating domination) and refused authority (“and your desire will be for your husband”, meaning the woman will attempt to usurp or control, Gen 4.7). The original intent of creation was equality, partnership and interdependence (Gen 1:26-29; 2:15-25). God’s creation order gives responsibility to given authorities to place the interests of others above their own (1 Cor 11; Eph 5, 6; 1 Tim 2). The reclamation of authority relationships is possible (2 Cor 5:17-21).

1. “And God said” is the origin of all authority (Gen 1:3, 5, etc.)
2. In the Old Testament, “hand” meant authority. All things are from God’s hand (1 Chr 29.16), not human hands (Deut 8.17), and God’s hand/authority is uncompromised. All authority comes from God (Dan 7.13, 14; Eph 1.20-22; Col 2.10).
3. In the New Testament, “authority” meant one had the ability to give orders (Matt 8.9), tell others what to do (Luke 7.8; 19.17), or submit to others’ authority (1 Pet 2.13). The Greek word for authority means “freedom of choice.” How much authority one has determines the amount of control one has over her life, and the lives of others. How one uses her authority is another issue. Jesus had authority to lay down his life of his own accord (John 10.17-18). Paul used his authority to build up not tear down (2 Cor 10.8; 13.10).
4. If authority comes from God and human abuse of authority is limited, then it could be possible to say authority is given, power is taken (1 Co 15.24, 27; 1 Pet 3.22).
5. Persons holding positions in any community or organization must respect the authority of those to whom it has been given (1 Thess 5.11-12; Heb 13.17).
6. Boundaries established for authoritative roles are intended to prevent abuse (Deut 17:14-20; 1 Sam 8:10-18). The king was told to hand-copy the law given to him by the priests which was received through the prophets (Deut 13, 18). In God’s economy, the king was to be subservient to prophetic-priestly leadership.
7. Human corruption necessitates accountability among leaders. The monarch must adhere to the dictate, “the law is king.” Oligarchies and republics should establish uniform standards for their representatives. Leaderless cultures succumb to anarchy and dictatorship. National leadership must be tempered by equal branches of government and regulations that curtail immoral activity among the privileged few (Pro. 28, 29).

Words: Whoever Controls the Definition, Controls the Conversation

John 5:47, If you don’t believe Moses’ words, how will you believe me?

This week’s Idea #8 is a very basic language component: the label we give to ideas, things, people, or places that give meaning or sense to an object.

SO WHAT? Getting attention, interest, “buy in”

“Cultural appropriation” is a phrase describing how a dominant culture (think “secular” or “pagan”) uses items belonging to a minority in that culture (think “Christian”), ascribing new meaning to that cultural item. In the case of words, American culture remakes the original meaning to conform to its own goals. Find a 3-minute overview of how the American culture appropriates Christian ideas for its own ends, giving different definitions in the latest Truth in Two video here.

WHO CARES? Relation to student, potential applications

Have student look up the phrase “cultural appropriation” giving examples of how a dominant culture remakes the clothing, heritage, language, food, or concepts found in a minority group. Examples may include European youth copying the hair styles of African persons, or musical rhythms found in church music adapted to tunes within unbelieving settings (or visa versa).

Words matter to dictators. See video #12 in “Old Testament Overview” about “Prophets.”

For example, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the famed author of The Gulag Archipelago ended his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize in literature by quoting the Russian proverb tyrannical types hate: “One word of truth shall outweigh the whole world.” [Quoted in Edward E. Ericson, Jr. & Alexis Klimoff. 2008. The Soul and Barbed Wire: An Introduction to Solzhenitsyn. (ISI Books): 189.]

Words matter in prophecy. See video #2 in “Minor Prophets.” For example:

False Prophets = False Words Jeremiah 23

1. Lifestyle of lying (13-14)
2. Crowd pleasing (16-17)
3. Human prophesying (25-26)
4. Distortion of God’s Word (30-36)

Words matter for wisdom. See video #3 in “Wisdom.” Proverbs functions as a mirror.

WHY SHOULD I? Reasons for investing time, thought

Caring for words means caring for others. If we misappropriate a term, giving the word new meaning, then we remove the essence of an idea created by another. In writing we call that plagiarism or in business the concern might be for copyright. If the idea of cultural appropriation matters in the workplace it should matter everyplace.

Youth may simply say “you’re a copycat.” Teachers may say, “I stole that idea.” Appropriating someone else’s work in any field, in any endeavor, without attribution (giving credit), is at best, laziness, at worst, stealing.

Caring for others’ cultures matters for both believers and unbelievers. See video #5 in “Old Testament Overview” about people’s cultural mindset, how they understand words. Hearing people in their own language, in their own culture, matters. For example:

1. I need to thoughtfully, carefully use words, being sensitive to how they are used in my cultural context.
2. I need to appreciate logic since God built His world to work with consistency.
3. The power of words to break or build another’s spirit should be carefully considered.
4. God created through words; I need to respect words as primary over images.

Malcom Muggeridge The 20^th century English journalist gave this warning, “Polluted air makes us suffocate, polluted water and food make us sick, but polluted words deliver us over to the worst of all fates: to be imprisoned by fantasy.  There is hope that the polluted air and water and food may sometimes be purified, but once words are polluted they are lost forever.” (Malcolm Muggeridge. “Time and Eternity,” First Things Jan 2011, p. 71.)

What Words Do. Words are first shaped by our thinking. Next, words shape the way we think. Words are then necessary to interpret what we see. Words finally express our interpretation of the world. Words, ultimately, are pregnant with meaning.

HOW DO I? Ways to be involved

Writing. See my review of Cultivating Virtue through our Words.

Serving. “Doing good” in culture is crucial to our Christian testimony. See video #3 in the series “Thoughtful Christians in Culture.”

Interpreting. BONUS videos from my teaching at IUPUI on the importance of “charity” and “humility” when it comes to understanding what someone means when they speak.

Storytelling. Learning how to tell stories connects with people where they are. BONUS video from my teaching at IUPUI on how to tell a story.

WHO SAYS? Authority, standard, influence

Critical thinking (or better, synthetic thinking based on Colossians 1.17 “by Jesus are all things held together”) leads to the ability to use words in a way that persuades people of a point of view  (Acts 17:22-34). Assessment begins when the person has researched herself (Acts 17:11). Examples of rhetoric abound in Scripture: God’s law (Deut 4:5-8), Solomon (1 Kings 9-10, Apollos (Acts 18:24-28), and of course Jesus (always frustrating the Jewish leaders, i.e., Mark 12:28-34). Christians are called to practice persuasion through both life and lips (Titus 2:1-10, Col 4:5-6, 1 Thess 4:11-12).

Developing the habits of a Christian thinker begins with understanding all knowledge begins with “the fear of the Lord” (Prov 1:7; 9:11). The person who “heeds instruction is on the path to life” (Prov 10:17). The word-based, logic-organized, rhetorically-equipped Hebraic-Christian thinker will drink up Proverbial wisdom (Prov 20:15).

Ideas are captive to words. The creation was perfect; everything was “very good” (Gen 1:31).  God’s words were fitted with exact intention (Ps 12:6).  Frustration arises when we “know what we mean but can’t put it into words.”  We should focus on exactitude and clarity in our rhetoric, avoiding error. We should say what we mean and mean what we say.

The first thing people see (headlines in a news article) is often what they believe. Always the first and often the only reading some accomplish is the bold print introducing an article.  Words must be chosen carefully in every context, especially in places where conceptions are shaped. [Deut 19.18-21, Prov 10.21, 12.17-19, 16.30]

Editorial policy should be written so that truth and fairness walk hand in hand. Any news source should be constantly cognizant of and willing to apply the following principles of “word power”:  integrity, honesty, painstaking accuracy, understanding the potential good and harm, guarded, substantiated, and opinion based on fact.  Though there may be limited impact on direct action, words can be the compelling means by which to encourage righteousness in the populace. [Prov 2:3, 4; 6:16-19; 10:14; 15:1, 23, 28; 16:27, 28; 18:13, 17; 24:12, 24-26; 25:15; 26:23-28; 29:19]

Ethics: The Answer to “Should?”

The only basis for ethics (what one should or ought to do) is the eternal.

This week’s Idea #7 is for everyone everywhere: “should” is universal.

SO WHAT? Getting attention, interest, “buy in”

Gratitude is the source of and standard for ethics. Find the latest Truth in Two video here.

WHO CARES? Relation to student, potential applications

“Slurring” a person based on their ethnicity, beliefs, or social standing is unacceptable. See what I wrote this week about Tim Scott being “slurred.”

Use the search line at MarkEckel.com to look up “ethics” (or any word for that matter!)

WHY SHOULD I? Reasons for investing time, thought

“Social Ethics” is an encyclopedia entry I wrote some years ago that goes into great detail about the biblical basis and rationale for the need of a righteous standard for any kind of justice.

Ethics and ethical issues runs through most of my video teaching.

Example: What is the Basis for Right and Wrong? [Video]

HOW DO I? Ways to be involved

A brand new video series “Ethics in Children’s Books” (Part 1) will be available the last full week of May 2021.

WHO SAYS? Authority, standard, influence

The only basis for ethics (what one should or ought to do) is the eternal. If there is no afterlife, no accounting for what we have done in this life, then why not do whatever we would like now?  Psalm 73 is an excellent example of this sentiment from a believer. Asaph, a priest, said “his foot had almost slipped”—that is, he’s almost given up his belief.  He saw the wealthy and powerful get away with murder. Then note verses 15-17 and the word “until.”  When we understand that what we do in this life will be judged in the next, it gives us pause.  So there must be an eternal God to whom we must give an account.

In a fallen world, the best hope for community compliance is commitment to a cogent code given from a personal, eternal, triune creator, the Hebrew-Christian God of the Bible. Social-economic ethics, from a Hebraic-Christian point of view, demands the following. (1) A righteous, revelatory standard founded in the Bible (Ps 119; 1 Thess 4:1-12), (2) a transformed spirit, affecting the being, the interiority of the believer (Ps 19:13-14; Rom 8:5-9), (3) Christian leaders who submit themselves to the standard in word, attitude, and deed (2 Kgs 23:24-25; 1 Tim 3; Titus 1), (4) Christian leaders who prompt the Christian church toward the practice of Christian ethics (Ps 15; Heb 10:24; 13:1-7, 17), (5) Christians who practice Christian ethics in the society where they live (Deut 4:5-8; Titus 2:1-10); and (6) the benefit for a whole society when the group is influenced by Hebraic-Christian social-economic ethics (Jer 29:1-7; 1 Tim 1:8-11).

2 John 5 says, “These written commands which we have had since the beginning” linked to Old Testament instruction (Lev 19:18) which have come to us “through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him” (Rom 16:26).  New Testament books such as 2 and 3 John identify the need to compare Truth with falsehood: a standard for ethics.

Righteous Justice

“Social justice,” “racial justice,” or “economic justice” are empty phrases unless there is a “RIGHTEOUS JUSTICE” whereby humans judge any kind of injustice.

This week’s Idea #6 is on behalf of all who have been and are treated unjustly.

SO WHAT? Getting attention, interest, “buy in”

I am a BIG fan of The Search for God and Guinness, one of the wonderful, positive justice stories of all time. You can watch an old Comenius video here entitled “Beer & Justice.”

OR (better yet!) you can’t beat the bar-background by watching the 5 minute YouTube story from the author, Stephen Mansfield, himself!

I first started writing about Mansfield’s exceptional book after I read it in May, 2010. You can read my first essay on Searching here.

My Truth in Two on Attucks: The School that Opened a City is a historic snapshot of the great Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis. I was able to attend the premier showing with HB Bell on air that evening.

“Rush to Judgment” can also be problematic. Consider my Truth in Two as I interact with the “courtroom of public opinion” in movies.

WHO CARES? Relation to student, potential applications

On the Comenius Institute Channel there are any number of radio shows archived there which deal with specific examples of guests who are engaged in justice issues. Here are a few:

Dountonia Batts is actively involved in educational and economic justice.

Aaron Story discusses his work “Elevate” mentoring in IPS schools.

Shepherd Community Center serves the Indianapolis area as a “little platoon.”

ABORTION is the biggest justice issue of any time in any place: the killing of unborn children. Find my many writings and videos by searching WarpandWoof.org here.

WHY SHOULD I? Reasons for investing time, thought

“Social Ethics” is an encyclopedia entry I wrote some years ago that goes into great detail about the biblical basis and rationale for the need of a righteous standard for any kind of justice.

In my video series on “Wisdom” one episode is dedicated to the concept of “justice.”

The “Minor Prophet” series has an episode on Malachi focused on justice issues.

When students shout “That’s Not Fair!”

HOW DO I? Ways to be involved

“But we all judge!” Yes, we do. Here is a 2 minute video where I discuss how to help students navigate their thinking on the topic.

Frank Reich, a Christian and coach of the Indianapolis Colts, did something quite unusual by kneeling on the sidelines while his players stood. Read what I wrote here.

The very next day, I flipped the script (one of my favorite ways to teach!) by showing the gigantic billboard “No Police, No Peace” in my essay here.

Helping folks to see both sides of an issue teaches that there are hardly ever absolute solutions to any given problem. I am SO committed to hearing all perspectives, I did a Truth in Two episode entitled “Intentional.”

Get folks excited about justice with an introduction to the International Justice Mission (IJM) here.

WHO SAYS? Authority, standard, influence

Biblical principles include:

1. Because of the example set by God toward all people (Acts 10:34-35), believers should give fair treatment to all people (Lev 19:36; Deut 16:18; Prov 1:3; 2:9; 9:9; 17:26), granting a level place where no advantage is given (the Hebraic definition of fairness). This justice is stimulated by “fearing” God, having a personal relationship with Him (2 Sam 23:3).

2. Freedom of the individual is based upon inalienable rights, the source of which is the transcendent Creator of the universe. Impartiality is established in the natural law of creation. Justice for all people should be paramount. However, equal opportunity is not the same as equality of outcome. Distribution of resources fails to account for a fallen world with inevitable inequities and personal irresponsibility (Deut 32:4; Ps 89:14; Lev 19:36; Deut 16:18).

3. The judicial system (Gen 3; Deut 16-19; Isa 58-59) should maintain that the standard for justice is righteousness, setting precedence for fairness and equity. The possibility that good can be rewarded and evil punished exists because the transcendent source of Truth exists. Justice in human relations should eschew bribery and favoritism while encouraging consistency, mercy, and protection of the poor, weak and defenseless.

4. Bribery—an external motivation for desired physical behavior—is a perversion of justice (Prov 17:23). If children in a classroom know that there is a “pay off” for certain types of behavior they work for the gift not right living. Bribery is said to destabilize a country because of greed (29:4). Greed for bribes is said to bring trouble to a family (15:27). If children are taught to reach for the carrot at the end of the stick it may produce a desire for more carrots rather than developing a righteous life. “Giving gifts” may be the way things are done (18:16) but that doesn’t make it right. Everyone wants to be friends with those who have gifts to give (19:6). But getting in good (“currying favor”) with the teacher may prompt the kind of undo influence all rail against in business and politics. Surely it is the poor who suffer most (19:7-8).
5. Uncaring attitudes for the poor that arise from wealth and privilege are cited as reasons for judgment (Isa 3:16-26; Amos 4:1-3; 8:4-6).  The exile of Judah was largely the result of economic injustice (Amos 2:6-7; 5:7-12; Micah 3:8-12), as was the flood (Gen 6:6, 11, 13). In Genesis 6:11 and 13 when God judged the “earth filled with violence” the Hebrew word hamas was used. God desires to fill the earth through human procreation (Gen 1:28; 9:1), whereas the greedy fill the earth by procreating violence (Ezek 8:17; 28:16). [1] The prophets use the same word to describe the exploitation of the poor by the rich (Amos 3:10; Micah 6:12).
6. Dishonesty (Amos 8:4-6), selfishness (through loans, Amos 5:11), loving things over people (Isa 5:8; Micah 2:1-4), and courtroom bribery through unjust judges (Isa 1:23; 3:13-15; Amos 5:7, 10, 12) are targets of prophetic condemnation. Scripture judges the rich by how they treat the poor (Job 29:12, 16; Ps 112:9; see also, Deut 15:1-11; James 2:1-7, 15-16; 4:13-16; 5:4; 1 John 3:17).

Being Sure Before Speaking Out, Considering Others’ Perspectives, Careful Communication

“Slow to speak and quick to listen” (James 1:19) applies to casual conversation and generally about our accumulation of knowledge.

SO WHAT? Getting attention, interest, “buy in”

Why do we care if something is “right” or “wrong,” “good” or “bad,” “true or false”? Why do people “care?” What compels people to set their minds to an idea? Fight for a cause? Speak out on behalf of a political party? Commit to fixed principles? From where does our sense of justice or freedom arise? “Caring” by itself does not establish an “ought to.” Neither sentimentality nor authenticity provides a standard for sensitivity. No. “Caring” follows a dedication to belief, buttressed by doctrines, dogmas to follow. We may all care deeply for something. But it is the “Why?” that presses us to care, a commitment we have made to ourselves. Our care is motivated by what and why we believe. “Caring,” by itself, is not enough. What propels an author to care to write a novel to express her beliefs through fiction? What propels me as a person to care enough to read it? To ask the question is to consider the origin of what it means to “care” and the reason why I should.

WHO CARES? Relation to student, to community, potential applications

This semester I teach a course entitled “Argumentative Writing.” An assignment I recently gave focused on how our care for what we believe in may bias how we communicate about it. You may want to view the video here to get a sense of (1) how I communicate at a public university but also (2) what may be necessary to discuss “right” or “wrong” or “true” or “false.”

As soon as a person asks a question, she has biased the results she seeks simply by identifying personal interest, inserting herself in a discussion. We should recognize care researchers take for their research.

Next, consider watching the Netflix documentary A Social Dilemma. Ask yourself why even unbelievers might be caring about social media trends. How does what I focus attention on make a difference in how I think? Critique assumptions. Question arguments. Consider alternatives. Notice consequences.

If you *really* want to get in the deep weeds, I have my students read a 35-page article entitled “Political Bias in Legal Scholarship.” Glad to send it to anyone who asks. And I will even send the assignment page so that you might know what to look for. 😊

WHY SHOULD I? Reasons for investing time, thought

At MarkEckel.com there are numerous resources that relate to the topic of being “quick to listen, slow to speak” in any kind of conversation or educational opportunity.

My musing about “Watchmen” on the website speaks to shutting out disagreement.

“What am I *NOT* Hearing?” is a question about “cognitive bias.”

Research: The Delight of Studying God’s Creation

My whole series of chapter reviews on Rad Dreher’s Live Not By Lies is applicable (here is a link to chapter six, for instance).

Consider the points I make in the first and second teachings on Wisdom about research.

The whole Worldview Questions video series addresses key concerns about “true Truth.”

HOW DO I? Ways to be involved

I begin my “Argumentative Writing” course with two 6-minute videos entitled “Charity” and “Humility.” You might want to consider these for the reasons I’ve already mentioned above. Ask yourself the question, “Do I have this kind of attitude when I’m communicating with others?”

Do a study on “gossip,” “truth-telling,” “speech,” Church communication versus public communication with “outsiders.” [My essay on apologetics with “outsiders” is in a book I mentioned a few weeks ago that I will sell at my cost. Contact me if interested.]

Read science-fiction books and short stories like Fahrenheit 451 to remind yourself how governmental control of freedoms becomes insidious.

Read about people and groups with whom you have little interaction. Hear their voices without responding to them.

WHO SAYS? Authority, standard, influence

From a biblical perspective, the kind of care we exhibit in conversation or research begins with standards we find in the book of Proverbs. We should care for:

1. Truth 15:14; 23:23

…be honest 11:1, 3, 7, 18, 20; 12:17, 19, 22; 13:11; 14:5, 25; 15:4; 16:13; 21:6

…don’t cheat 11:1

…don’t lie  6:17; 13:5; 21:28; 25:18

…dishonest gain is worthless 20:23; 21:6

…don’t boast 12:23; 18:2

2. Humility 8:13; 15:33; 16:5, 18; 18:12; 21:4; 29:23
3. Diligence 12:14; 13:4
4. Kindness 11:16, 17; 12:25; 18:1; 19:17

…speak nicely 4:24; 10:13

…be sensitive to others 25:20-21

…don’t mock 14:6, 9; 15:12; 19;29; 22:10

…don’t gossip 10:18, 11:13; 18:8; 26:20; 26:22

…don’t start quarrels 10:12; 17:14; 20:3

…watch what you say 10:19; 11:12; 13:3; 14:3; 15:1; 17:28

Scripture honors differences while exhorting unity (Eph 4:1-6).  Unity breaks down diversity, misunderstandings, stereotypes, prejudice, and bias (Deut 10:17; Rom 2:11).  Unity creates mutual goals (John 17:11, 20-23; Rom 12:4-5).

Story, History, Storytelling for Remembrance

The whole point of this curricular lesson is based on how to tell The Christian Story!

SO WHAT? Getting attention, interest, “buy in”

Watch my story about failure here. [The video was originally done for an IUPUI class this week.]

There is nothing that I know of that has more power than a well told tale. Your ability to tell a story will catapult you forward in business, anywhere in the marketplace. Do a search on storytelling and business and you’ll find an excess of sites. But most often these folks don’t tell you a story; they tell you how to tell a story. So, don’t follow their example. Get your stories ready for the future. And remember to talk about your failures. Everyone fails. They don’t want to hear about your successes before you tell them how you overcame your failures. The key to the Christian view of history is the “failure” of the crucifixion (humanly speaking) and the “success” of the resurrection (from an earthly perspective)

WHO CARES? Relation to student, to community, potential applications

Everyone in every area of life is concerned with communicating their ideas well. Find linked here two articles that will give you direction toward both the power of story and the importance of persuasion.

The Art of Persuasion has not changed in over 2000 years

Why Your Brain Loves Storytelling

I’m not suggesting that you will agree with everything you read in these articles (I don’t). But the common grace, Transcendent principles are the same for all people: “the rain fall on both the just and the unjust alike.” The power of this lesson idea is that everyone in business, for instance, agrees that how you tell your story matters. Learn how to explain your perspective through story.

WHY SHOULD I? Reasons for investing time, thought

Story is a universal communicator. History is essential to the Christian worldview and humans’ view of the world. Storytelling is the fine art of telling a tale that will attract people to The Faith. Think about my story (above). I have been in the lowest of lows. I have struggled. I have gotten knocked down. And I got back up. I got knocked down some more. And I got back up more and more and more. But then I knew that the best thing I could do is tell you one of my stories. Answer the question, “How can my story, anyone’s story, be useful in communicating any idea?”

At MarkEckel.com find the following ideas about “story” in a number of videos:

Worldview Questions Video Series: #10 “History” where I talk about “HIS-story”

Old Testament Overview Video Series: #1 (Canonicity, the Historical Reliability of Scripture is Essential)

We Should Never Forget History but We Should not Live There Either (Minor Prophet Video Series, Haggai #10 introduction, minutes 1-4)

HOW DO I? Ways to be involved

History and Memoir: Writing our own stories so that people in the future remember us

History and Singing: The importance of Remembrance in Song

Families and History: How generations keep history intact

Allegiance and History: Our commitment to a people, place, or idea

The Study of History: We are too close and too far away

WHO SAYS? Authority, standard, influence

Memory is the basis for history. God expects us to learn about Him from the past.

Biblical Basis: Deuteronomy 4:9, 10; 6:7-9; 8:10-20; Psalm 77:10-12; 78:1-8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

“I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles” (2 Peter 3:2).

Biblically Integrative History: Hebrews were “whole thinkers”.  To the Old Testament mind, the mental act of recall was seamlessly linked with physical action.  Remembrance led to recitation leading to public proclamation pointing to a memorial or holiday event.  Acting upon statements of truth from the past was to consistently affect believers’ conduct (Deuteronomy 13:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:13-14). Remembering how God has worked in the past should give one confidence about how He is working now and how He will work in the future.  God’s working in history reveals His character.  Learning from past actions and mistakes can help people avoid repeating those mistakes.

Related Concepts:

1. Note that Hebrews and Christians based their concept on historical events contrasting ritual with remembrance (see Matthew 26:27-29; 1 Corinthians 11:26-33).

2,God instructed His people to establish feasts, festivals, and memorials as reminders of how He had worked in their history (Numbers 15:39-40; Exodus 12:14; Deuteronomy 11:18; Joshua 4:7)

3,  Memory is the basis for treatment of others (Deuteronomy 5:15; 15:15; 16:12; 24:18, 22; Hebrews 13:7)

4, Memory is the basis for relationship with God (1 Chronicles 16:8, 12; Deuteronomy 8:2; 24:9; Matthew 26:13; Luke 22:19; Hebrews 10:3)

5. Reminding is a necessary, ongoing process (Ecclesiastes 1:11; 2:16; Romans 15:15; 2 Peter 1:12-15; 3:2)
6. Reminders are the remedy for “forgetfulness” (Deuteronomy 8:11-20; Psalm 106:13, 21; Ezekiel 16:43-63; Isaiah 51:13; Hosea 13:6; James 1:25; 2 Peter 3:5; 2 Peter 3:8)

Attitudinal Objectives:

1. When I hear things that we have heard before in home, church, or school I should acknowledge that I need to be reminded.
2. God does not repeat Himself in the Bible to hear Himself talk.  Repetition is always for my benefit, so that I do not forget.  God does not repeat Himself in the Bible, for His own benefit.
3. I can be confident about how God will work in the future by remembering how He has worked in the past.
4. I should celebrate God’s works from the past so that I don’t forget His goodness.
5. Reading and memorizing God’s Word help me learn and remember who God is and what He requires of me

Life Application Activities:

1. Interpreting Events: God’s prophets explained why certain events occurred in the past. Using their reasoning as a model, how do we explain why other significant events have occurred? God does not change. He blesses obedience and judges sin. Do we see any parallels between biblical history and current history?
2. Notable People: Our society honors many individuals. In what manner are notable people remembered today? What types of people are publicly honored in our society? What do society’s heroes communicate about the values of the society?  What biblical criteria should be applied to who is honored? Research the background of our society’s heroes and evaluate them in light of biblical criteria.
3. Key Places: What are some important places in our country? How are they distinguished (i.e. landmarks, memorials, statues, towers, special buildings)? Research why these places are important. Why do people feel they should be remembered? Do we have key places of importance in our personal history? How are these places marked in our memory?
4. Great Ideas: How are great ideas preserved in our society? What great ideas are valued? Symbols are often used to represent great ideas. Freedom is an important value to most people. What symbols have been made to represent this value? Love is a core value of Christianity.  What symbols does Christianity have to represent its core values? What holidays or celebrations do we hold to memorialize the great ideas we value?
5. Important Documents: Certain documents represent a change in the course of a country’s history. What documents have influenced the direction of history in our country? How do these documents influence life today? How have different creeds, catechisms, or statements of faith influenced the direction of church history?
6. Additional Resources: The Discoverers, The Creators, and The Seekers is a trilogy written by Daniel Boorstin which shed interesting light on history’s most notable individuals. Intellectuals by Paul Johnson critiques famous humanist and atheist thinkers. Web sites such as www.heroesofhistory.com and www.ywampublishing.com have many biographies of Christians in various fields that have made an impact on the past and present. The www.homeschool.com web site has a wealth of information for Christians studying history and other subjects at various grade levels.

Getting Ready for What is Already Here: Christian Preparation for Persecution

One curricular example of how to utilize some of the material at MarkEckel.com

 SO WHAT? Getting attention, interest, “buy in”

Oral Roberts University is in the Sweet 16 and in Hot Water. Use the article from USA Today to cite the issue which jumped off this week. Notice the verbiage used against a Christian institution:

“As a private university and under the banner of fundamentalist Christian beliefs, the school is free to impose whatever standards of behavior they see fit, even if those standards are wildly out of line with modern society and the basic values of human decency. Now, as Oral Roberts gains national attention, the focus shouldn’t just be on their very good men’s basketball team, but on their prejudiced teachings and moral regressiveness.

That Oral Roberts wants to keep its students tied to toxic notions of fundamentalism that fetishize chastity, abstinence and absurd hemlines is a larger cultural issue that can be debated. What is not up for debate however is their anti-LGBTQ+ stance, which is nothing short of discriminatory and should expressly be condemned by the NCAA. . . . The fact is, any and all anti-LGBTQ+ language in any school’s polices should ban them from NCAA competition.”

WHO CARES? Relation to student, to community, potential applications

Oral Roberts University is not a one-off situation. The implications for Christian institutions – including but not limited to schools, non-profits, and churches – will blanket cultural law. Organizations which go against LGBTQ+ dogmas may well lose tax exempt status, hiring procedures based on doctrinal beliefs, national accreditation, personal certifications, not to mention being “uninvited” to the NCAA tournament.

Using the “Suffering” video series Part 9, show the segment that details “Why the Romans persecuted the Christians.” See the PDF notes answer 2. Antithetic to Cultural Mores: A. Protecting the Ethos of the Roman Mindset (Acts 15; Romans 1); B. Threatening the Economics of the Roman World (Acts 19). What is the correlation between the 1^st and 21^st centuries?

WHY SHOULD I? Reasons for investing time, thought

LGBTQ+ pressures on federal laws, congressional approvals, and presidential orders will continue to press Christians who believe Scripture teaches a strict sexual ethic. Leaders and groups must discuss how they will respond biblically within the culture to sexual dictates.

Using the Live Not By Lies reviews show what kind of responses are necessary. Note in particular Part 3 (“The Importance of Definition”) and Part 9 (“The Importance of Allegiance”).

In Part 3 I point out how intolerant tolerance is (something I’ve been teaching since the mid-90’s). “Tolerance” by itself has no standard, no basis, no foundation for universal ethics.

In Part 9 I point out how we must prepare to respond as the body of Christ (see my 10-point outline toward preparing Christians and the biblical basis for responding to persecution).

HOW DO I? Ways to be involved

Using the “What Box?!” Leadership video series leaders should ask what kind of anticipatory leadership is needed. From the third video (“Nimble-Anticipatory”) discuss how the Christian organization will provide educational leadership for the coming generation which will need to confront cultural pressures into the future.

WHO SAYS? Authority, standard, influence

Biblical Truth needs to begin at the beginning. Using the free videos on the website (hyperlinked below), teachers can begin to build the biblical response to cultural pressure to capitulate Scriptural doctrine.

Everything in life is ordered. The God of origins (video) ordered His world (video here) which was established at creation (video). Based on God’s Transcendence (video) we bear responsibility to His outside authority (see my essay on revelation rules reason here).

I begin here because my assumption begins with the God Who Is and The God Who has spoken. It is His intended order to which Jesus submitted his answer about marriage (Matthew 19). We subvert God’s order to our own detriment, ignoring His Words, leaving ourselves to ourselves, by not coming under the authority of God.

The basis for any answer I give as it relates to God’s original intention. To subvert God’s intended order in any area of human life speaks only to our own arrogant autonomy, our desire to be God; the desire we have been pursuing since Genesis 3.

I say all of this to say that the foundations for ethical, sexual, political, cultural, or any other human arena are subject to the limitations God has placed on His world. I would be glad to pursue this idea further. Specific to your request, however, you must engage Dr. Robert Gagnon and his brilliant, biblical exegesis of Scripture’s response to sexual questions.

There is much more to say about possibilities for teaching and learner response. This brief outline begins the MarkEckel.com process of how to use the materials on the website.