August 12, 2010
Replacements
I just received a fundraiser envelope from the Disabled American Veterans that included pre-printed address labels, a book mark, a prayer for luck and a gold token. I’ll probably use the address labels. The book mark says, “May angels of love, luck and liberty always smile at you and surround you wherever you go.” I can only imagine how the angels of the Lord feel about the new designation bestowed upon on them by the DAV. The prayer says, “I pray for grace from stars above…” I suppose that might give comfort to those who practice astrology. “May luck and joy be with all who know that what you reap is what you sow.” Exactly how would you go about sowing luck and joy? The coin, which they suggest you keep close to you, is said to be, “a symbol of faith…a sign of courage”. Interesting how the secular community tries to repackage not only angels and grace, but also the armor of God (Eph 6:11).
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1 comment:
Gail;
-----Considering this message came from veterans, or at least from those concerned about veterans, I see it as probably not coming from a secular viewpoint. Most enlistees are conservatives holding to traditional values and some recognition of God’s place in man’s affairs. Though the majority of them may not tend to be Christians committed to a Biblically directed lifestyle, their majority are respectful of that lifestyle. Then, it does not surprise me that everyone I have met involved with the DAV have been Christians, and I suppose most I’ve not met are.
-----But the popular perception of the public at large is a different story. It is true that people are tending to dismiss Christianity more than before, and even to scoff and smirk at it. And though we really don’t find much overt impunity of it in public discourse, we do find an excessive, subtle, and covert impunity flooding every dimension of culture. I even perceive self-impunity in church discourse. And who can not help but notice the total self-impunity of the seeker-friendly church? It seems like the whole of social interaction is now to refine reflections upon man from the ore of life and history, instead of reflections upon God. So it seems the public is beginning to tip towards not just the secular, but towards the actual Godless. Yet there are too many hangers-on for the tipping to now be a falling. Sometimes I am amazed at how many mature Christian responses are evoked by a subtle Christian idea dropped before a stranger. With a totally negative frame of mind, we can diss our culture to only be beckoned back to noticing the very strong Christian element still embedded therein.
-----The authors of a request for public support must recognize the polarization causing this teetering between two world-views. It seems the DAV’s response to such recognition is a fretful plea to the whole spectrum, tying the Christian ideas of angels, love, grace, joy, faith, and prayer to the humanist vision of luck and stars. And the author of any request knows some folks will always be offended by anything they choose to say. So I speculate the DAV understood they would offend both ends of the spectrum, and therefore chose to address those who care not about clarity. But clarity enables truth, and a public continually stirred by confusion will eventually loose its ability to recognize truth. I think it would be a responsible addition to the public discourse if the DAV had respected the need for clarity, and either made their address from a Christian viewpoint, or from a secular viewpoint strengthened by godly principles. But their muddled mix of emotional platitudes you’ve quoted only adds to the dead weight of a gutless public stupor. It would be the partakers of such a stupor I would choose to offend, maybe in the essence of Jesus expression, “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.” (Rev 4:16)
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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