Hubris Post… hrumpf!
I had a wonderfully observant and well-written post all ready to publish right here on this blog just a few days ago and the horrors of dial-up internet leveled their curses at me and the post was exorcised somewhere into the irretrievable world of hyperspace. Now that a few days have passed and I’m no longer angry enough to throw my computer through the window I’ve decided not to attempt a re-create (which never turns out as well).
The point of the post, however, was this: I am sick of the hubris exhibited by colleagues and religious professionals in the name of Christ. Take the latest in the increasing stack of propeganda I’ve received in relation to the upcoming election. It started out…
[name deleted] a Pastor and teacher of the Holy Infallible Word of God in the city of Allegan; given this privilege not by men but by Jesus Christ our Lord and God the Father who raised him from the dead. Not I alone but all those who are with me in this battle for the defense of truth in the country God blessed us to be a part of….
The November election is fast approaching…
It appears to me that [name deleted] has bought his seat on the family Court…
There is no greater need in our country than for God’s leaders to stand for Him with the courage that He will bring us victory…
Now, I’ll be the first to admit, none of the above is strictly speaking incorrect (minus the unwarranted accusation of purchasing the position). There is a certain sense in which it is true (minus, again, the accusation). But who writes like that these days? No one (I think), unless they view themselves as comparable to the biblical authors. Such language is intended to place oneself and one’s opinions on the level of scriptural authority and beyond debate. Hubris. It is nothing short of hubris.
Honestly, isn’t it about time leaders in the church started exhibiting some of the humility Jesus so clearly had? That’s not to suggest that he was “wishy washy” or “wimpy” but never did he behave with such self-puffery and neither should we.
Well, that’s what I think anyhow!
Grace and Peace,
`tim
5 Responses to “Hubris Post… hrumpf!”
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October 2nd, 2008 at 10:09 pm
SCARY!!
October 4th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Not to mention the point that Allegan qualified as a “city.” That seems like the real turning point of the email.
October 4th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
:-)
October 6th, 2008 at 11:05 am
You have an unnecessary qualifier in your post. This was hubris when the biblial authors did it, too–Paul especially liked to use this sort of thing for rhetorical advantage–another reminder that the Scriptures were written by human beings, even when inspired by God.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:11 am
James… I might well agree with you. The difference, for me, is that I’m willing to accept that kind of rhetorical behavior from scripture-writers who lived twenty centuries ago (give or take a century). Today… well… not so much.
Grace and Peace,
`tim