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June 21, 2004
Ancestors – Honor of our Fathers
Our culture has grown up with a distain for or elders. “Gray hair is a crown of splendor” has given way to “Question Authority” “Don’t Trust anyone over 30” and “If its too loud then you’re too old”.
In recent years our culture has seen a small swing back into at least a mild interest in the ancient and mystical. I have read that stained glass and organs are making a comeback but I haven’t seen much to convince me yet.
Mainstream society has its retro fits but it all comes repackaged. They take a 1960’s style, mirror it, and sell it as the latest fad to hit our pop culture. It is as if designers have realized that there is nothing new under the sun and to eke more money out of consumers they tell you that retro is cool.
Anyway, I am getting off topic. What I really want to say is that a healthy appreciation of those who have gone before us would greatly aid many in our society. I am thinking mostly in terms of personally and religiously though this reflection can be implied in multiple aspects of life.
Personally I think that we would do well to imitate the work ethic and community efforts of our forefathers. Such an emphasis was placed on family relationship and working within the family and local community that it fostered a continual breeding (no pun intended) and multiplication of street and relational wisdom that cannot be matched by our fun new global community. Personal relationships have changed. It will be interesting to see what the Internet revolution will do to the future of interpersonal communication and relationships in general.
Religion has taken a turn as well. Tradition and rigor has been seen as stale and boring, while in the past decade “hip” “culturally relevant” churches have sprung up with their supposed innovations in music and sermonizing while the creeds and hymns that are so rich in culture and doctrine have been left in the large print King James Bible with the gilded pages and stamped leather cover.
I am not advocating a puritan mindset only an appreciation of the spirit of tradition. Much can be learned and I have only begun to see what has been laid in the foundations of our modern world. I will continue my quest...
Posted by paul at June 21, 2004 11:33 AM
Comments
Agreed. Some of the most influencial messages I have heard have come from guys who have lived the Christian life for a good while.
You know what I would like? A book chronicling the tales of the guys who we heard at the Faithwalkers conference.
Posted by: Dan at June 21, 2004 01:44 PM
Talk to Kirsten Hill. She has been brainstorming that book for near on half a decade.
Posted by: paul at June 21, 2004 07:38 PM
I would never want to have to rely on the King James Version now that we have so many translation that are better, though I must say that I'm glad to see some of the old hymns being revived. They are deep with doctrine and lyrical poetry. That's why we're seeing a small movement to incorporate them into contemporary musical worship styles.
It's a sign of maturity when you start appreciating the wisdom of your elders.
Posted by: Kathy at June 21, 2004 09:22 PM