An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Kings and Culture

(Proverbs 16:15 KJV)  In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

We make much of democracy, but the Bible seems to look at kings.  Have you ever noticed that difference between what we think is normal and what the Bible presents?  A question I ask myself is, “How much of what I think is God’s norm is based on my culture and how much is based on the Bible?”

My son handed me his Kindle and got me started expanding my horizons.  One of my experiments was to download a book from Gutenberg, convert it to a text file, have another program convert it to the Kindle’s format and try reading it.  It is a book called Ancient Law by Sir Henry James Sumner Maine.  It was written in the 1800's.  He writes as if democracy is an experiment that will not last.  This was written in England in the 1800's.  Most of us would consider that much of our democratic tradition came from England.

How much of what we do every day is based on the cultural input we received and how much is from the standard God has given us.  I don’t feel very comfortable with the idea.  Maybe it will help me think better.

So?  Think about it.  Use your mind.  Get in the habit of comparing what you think with what the Word says.

2 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

I think kings probably ARE the norm, because as a species, we don't average enough self-control to self-govern. That being said, I hope this country ultimately proves me wrong, but I don't expect it to happen.

Pumice said...

I am reading a book about FDR. It describes how he used patronage and bribery to win elections. The Republicans kept saying that the American people could not be bought. Wrong.

I am afraid history is on your side.

Grace and peace