This video just had me flabbergasted for all kinds of reasons. At the great risk of letting a rambling rant erupt here, allow me to humbly analyze the wacky, inconsistent values of America.
First up, who in their right mind is shocked that this poor girl didn't win because she gave an answer in support of traditional marriage? Have we not realized that the media is firmly in control by those who shun traditional Christian values and that those who speak out otherwise are going to be put into their place? Now, I didn't (and wouldn't) watch this silly beauty pageant, but doesn't the very fact that young women dress up in next to nothing bathing suits and bop around the stage like they are posing for Playboy shout out that traditional Christian values are meaningless in this event?
And along that line (ooh, this might rock someone's boat out there) - I greatly admire Sean Hannity, but I had to laugh out loud when he said to her, regarding the pageant, that the pageant is supposed to be about outward beauty and inward beauty! Are you kidding me? Come on, Sean, if that were the case, wouldn't we have at least a few pudgy ladies involved? I think that is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. You could almost see him backpedaling as he was saying that. Mr. Hannity is very intelligent and usually shows tremendous discernment. But, come on! These gals don't put on the evening gown and the skimpy swimsuit to show off their inward beauty.
I don't want to judge this young lady's heart or intentions, but the Scripture tells us repeatedly that we can and should judge the actions of people around us to see if we should be following that influence. That is something that we should be doing all the time.
(Even the "Do not judge or you too will be judged" passage in Matthew 7 is clothed in the context of seeing what hypocritical religious leaders are doing and not imitating those ungodly actions. The point of the passage is not "don't judge anyone at all," but, "look at your own heart first"- you must remove the plank from your own eye before you try to help your brother remove the speck from his eye.)
So, in order to encourage the Church in this public forum, let me humbly try to get the speck out of this sister's eye as I get rid of the plank in my own.
I have a real problem with this young lady saying she wants to be "Biblical" and stand on her principles about traditional marriage, but doesn't seem to have any issues with strutting around the stage mostly naked. (And, though I did not watch the pageant, there is enough of her swimsuit walk on the Hannity clip to determine that she absolutely was strutting. - This was a sexually provocative walk that screamed "I am woman, look at my hot bod.")
I know that some will think I'm an idiot, moron, or sexual deviant for thinking these things - oh well.
What about being Biblical in that wearing clothes is a necessary result of sin? Adam and Eve were clothed by God himself after they sinned in order to cover their shameful nakedness. Isn't that enough Scripture alone to give us the theology of modesty?
Or how about being Biblical about what true beauty is? 1 Peter 3:3-4 - to women - "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."
Or how about being Biblical about not causing a Christian brother to stumble into lustful sin? (See 1 Corinthians 8:8-13) Jesus said that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matt. 5:28) Does she think that the old geezers sitting on their couches at home in Peoria have godly thoughts in their hearts as she goes about the stage? Does she really think the boys in Buffalo are thanking Jesus for what they are seeing? Has this young lady been fooled or is she naive? Maybe a little of both? I really don't know.
I would not have watched this pageant because I know the sinful tendencies of my own heart. (This is the part where I am yanking the plank out of my own eye.) I would not let my sons watch the pageant because I want to train them to "flee the evil desires of youth" - 2 Timothy 2:22. I would not let my daughters watch the pageant because I don't want them to ever think that this type of demonstration of women is ever a good thing. We don't call it pornography, but that's what it is!
How sorrowful and sad that a seemingly nice Christian girl has set before the already confused Christian girls in our culture that you can be Biblical and immodest at the same time. Light and darkness intermingle perfectly! What a deal! You can be a friend of the world and a friend of God at the same time! (James 4:4)
Should we wonder why Christianity in America is so messed up?
There's a reason that we wouldn't let this young lady wear her swimsuit to the Maranatha Bible Camp pool, and it has a whole lot to do with the fact that all the young guys (and many of the old ones) who were checking her out wouldn't be thinkin' about Jesus. Biblical modesty is just as important a principle as Biblical marriage, and they in fact are literally "in bed" together. Just as a fire has it's right, safe place and context when it is in the fireplace, sexuality (which is created by God and is a pure, wonderful thing) has it's right, safe place and context in marriage, and only in marriage.
Actions really do speak louder than words, and it is hard for me to accept that this young woman has a truly Biblical view of marriage because of her "actions" on that stage.
Proverbs 6 & 7 talks about the young man who is lured into sexual sin by a woman who is dressed like a prostitute, and who can "captivate you with her eyes." Is this not what is happening in this so called "beauty pageant?" Isn't the idea that the girl who can wow the judges the most wins the crown? And how does she wow them? With her beautiful body - and to a lesser extent, with her words. That we award a prize for that and put it on TV demonstrates our desire as a country to go against God's standards.
The Biblical principle of modesty, based on the above Scriptures, is that people should not draw undue attention to the fleshly, sexual aspect of their bodies outside of the context of marriage.
Finally, this video clip bothered me for two more reasons. First, Miss California encouraged young people to "follow your heart and stay true to yourself." I think I know what she meant by that, but that is an incredibly unbiblical statement. King David was following his heart and being true to himself when he lusted after and took Bathsheba. Our hearts are wicked. We need to lead our hearts to the cross of Christ, not follow our hearts. We are liars (Romans 3:4) and only God is true all the time. We need to be true to God, not ourselves. Maybe that statement is just the overused, lame thing that is always said at beauty pageants and high school graduations, but it still deserves at least a jab of discernment.
And also, does anyone else beside me find it amazing that this has resulted in a controversy? Why would we expect anything less? Do those that find it controversial think that this is some form of "persecution?" I don't know that for sure, but I would challenge anyone who thinks that this is persecution to ask Christian preachers in India "what do you think Christian persecution is?" Or what about Christians in China or in Muslim countries who sacrifice everything to follow Christ? Maybe we think of it as persecution, because we have no idea what persecution really is.
Another controvery erupted recently when President Obama said that American was not "a Christian nation." Again, why the controversy? Didn't we already know that? Didn't we jettison God out of the public arena a long time ago? Several presidents in the last 20 years or so have been Christian, but has that played out in the court rulings? In the public schools? We can tell people to follow their hearts at high school graduations, but we can't tell them to follow Jesus. Are we not a "post-Christian" nation? Don't we need Christian missionaries to come here and set us on the right track of following King Jesus?
In my last post, a commenter asked when I think our country began to get off track. I think it was when we as a country decided that the Word of God no longer had any place whatsover in guiding our country and our public policy. Our Constitution framers used Biblical principles to create a government that would give religious freedom to all people. In the last 100 years or so, we have drifted further and further from that anchor point. Now it is taboo to talk about the Bible or Christ in any public discourse.
While I hope that we will continue to enjoy the freedoms we have in this country, I don't expect them to last, because people who hate Jesus hate His Word and His Church. I pray that I and my family will be faithful and ready for those challenges.
Am I wrong? Challenge me. Sharpen my truth in the truth of God's Word. Help me refine a correct, Biblical view of modesty and what that means practically. While people have many different views on how modesty should actually be lived out in our world, my prayer is that all Christians would use His Word as our guide and not our own opinions and lame ideas.
So, that's the end of my humble rant. Comments are greatly appreciated.
jc
First up, who in their right mind is shocked that this poor girl didn't win because she gave an answer in support of traditional marriage? Have we not realized that the media is firmly in control by those who shun traditional Christian values and that those who speak out otherwise are going to be put into their place? Now, I didn't (and wouldn't) watch this silly beauty pageant, but doesn't the very fact that young women dress up in next to nothing bathing suits and bop around the stage like they are posing for Playboy shout out that traditional Christian values are meaningless in this event?
And along that line (ooh, this might rock someone's boat out there) - I greatly admire Sean Hannity, but I had to laugh out loud when he said to her, regarding the pageant, that the pageant is supposed to be about outward beauty and inward beauty! Are you kidding me? Come on, Sean, if that were the case, wouldn't we have at least a few pudgy ladies involved? I think that is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. You could almost see him backpedaling as he was saying that. Mr. Hannity is very intelligent and usually shows tremendous discernment. But, come on! These gals don't put on the evening gown and the skimpy swimsuit to show off their inward beauty.
I don't want to judge this young lady's heart or intentions, but the Scripture tells us repeatedly that we can and should judge the actions of people around us to see if we should be following that influence. That is something that we should be doing all the time.
(Even the "Do not judge or you too will be judged" passage in Matthew 7 is clothed in the context of seeing what hypocritical religious leaders are doing and not imitating those ungodly actions. The point of the passage is not "don't judge anyone at all," but, "look at your own heart first"- you must remove the plank from your own eye before you try to help your brother remove the speck from his eye.)
So, in order to encourage the Church in this public forum, let me humbly try to get the speck out of this sister's eye as I get rid of the plank in my own.
I have a real problem with this young lady saying she wants to be "Biblical" and stand on her principles about traditional marriage, but doesn't seem to have any issues with strutting around the stage mostly naked. (And, though I did not watch the pageant, there is enough of her swimsuit walk on the Hannity clip to determine that she absolutely was strutting. - This was a sexually provocative walk that screamed "I am woman, look at my hot bod.")
I know that some will think I'm an idiot, moron, or sexual deviant for thinking these things - oh well.
What about being Biblical in that wearing clothes is a necessary result of sin? Adam and Eve were clothed by God himself after they sinned in order to cover their shameful nakedness. Isn't that enough Scripture alone to give us the theology of modesty?
Or how about being Biblical about what true beauty is? 1 Peter 3:3-4 - to women - "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."
Or how about being Biblical about not causing a Christian brother to stumble into lustful sin? (See 1 Corinthians 8:8-13) Jesus said that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matt. 5:28) Does she think that the old geezers sitting on their couches at home in Peoria have godly thoughts in their hearts as she goes about the stage? Does she really think the boys in Buffalo are thanking Jesus for what they are seeing? Has this young lady been fooled or is she naive? Maybe a little of both? I really don't know.
I would not have watched this pageant because I know the sinful tendencies of my own heart. (This is the part where I am yanking the plank out of my own eye.) I would not let my sons watch the pageant because I want to train them to "flee the evil desires of youth" - 2 Timothy 2:22. I would not let my daughters watch the pageant because I don't want them to ever think that this type of demonstration of women is ever a good thing. We don't call it pornography, but that's what it is!
How sorrowful and sad that a seemingly nice Christian girl has set before the already confused Christian girls in our culture that you can be Biblical and immodest at the same time. Light and darkness intermingle perfectly! What a deal! You can be a friend of the world and a friend of God at the same time! (James 4:4)
Should we wonder why Christianity in America is so messed up?
There's a reason that we wouldn't let this young lady wear her swimsuit to the Maranatha Bible Camp pool, and it has a whole lot to do with the fact that all the young guys (and many of the old ones) who were checking her out wouldn't be thinkin' about Jesus. Biblical modesty is just as important a principle as Biblical marriage, and they in fact are literally "in bed" together. Just as a fire has it's right, safe place and context when it is in the fireplace, sexuality (which is created by God and is a pure, wonderful thing) has it's right, safe place and context in marriage, and only in marriage.
Actions really do speak louder than words, and it is hard for me to accept that this young woman has a truly Biblical view of marriage because of her "actions" on that stage.
Proverbs 6 & 7 talks about the young man who is lured into sexual sin by a woman who is dressed like a prostitute, and who can "captivate you with her eyes." Is this not what is happening in this so called "beauty pageant?" Isn't the idea that the girl who can wow the judges the most wins the crown? And how does she wow them? With her beautiful body - and to a lesser extent, with her words. That we award a prize for that and put it on TV demonstrates our desire as a country to go against God's standards.
The Biblical principle of modesty, based on the above Scriptures, is that people should not draw undue attention to the fleshly, sexual aspect of their bodies outside of the context of marriage.
Finally, this video clip bothered me for two more reasons. First, Miss California encouraged young people to "follow your heart and stay true to yourself." I think I know what she meant by that, but that is an incredibly unbiblical statement. King David was following his heart and being true to himself when he lusted after and took Bathsheba. Our hearts are wicked. We need to lead our hearts to the cross of Christ, not follow our hearts. We are liars (Romans 3:4) and only God is true all the time. We need to be true to God, not ourselves. Maybe that statement is just the overused, lame thing that is always said at beauty pageants and high school graduations, but it still deserves at least a jab of discernment.
And also, does anyone else beside me find it amazing that this has resulted in a controversy? Why would we expect anything less? Do those that find it controversial think that this is some form of "persecution?" I don't know that for sure, but I would challenge anyone who thinks that this is persecution to ask Christian preachers in India "what do you think Christian persecution is?" Or what about Christians in China or in Muslim countries who sacrifice everything to follow Christ? Maybe we think of it as persecution, because we have no idea what persecution really is.
Another controvery erupted recently when President Obama said that American was not "a Christian nation." Again, why the controversy? Didn't we already know that? Didn't we jettison God out of the public arena a long time ago? Several presidents in the last 20 years or so have been Christian, but has that played out in the court rulings? In the public schools? We can tell people to follow their hearts at high school graduations, but we can't tell them to follow Jesus. Are we not a "post-Christian" nation? Don't we need Christian missionaries to come here and set us on the right track of following King Jesus?
In my last post, a commenter asked when I think our country began to get off track. I think it was when we as a country decided that the Word of God no longer had any place whatsover in guiding our country and our public policy. Our Constitution framers used Biblical principles to create a government that would give religious freedom to all people. In the last 100 years or so, we have drifted further and further from that anchor point. Now it is taboo to talk about the Bible or Christ in any public discourse.
While I hope that we will continue to enjoy the freedoms we have in this country, I don't expect them to last, because people who hate Jesus hate His Word and His Church. I pray that I and my family will be faithful and ready for those challenges.
Am I wrong? Challenge me. Sharpen my truth in the truth of God's Word. Help me refine a correct, Biblical view of modesty and what that means practically. While people have many different views on how modesty should actually be lived out in our world, my prayer is that all Christians would use His Word as our guide and not our own opinions and lame ideas.
So, that's the end of my humble rant. Comments are greatly appreciated.
jc
4 comments:
Well stated. For too long we have allowed a very secular society to determine our moral values.
My husband and I were in the car together when we heard this news story break. We thought EXACTLY the same thing as you -- a "Christian" is wearing skimpy bathing suits on TV and being judged on outward beauty, huh?!
America's pretty mixed up.
I applaud her stand for God's view of marriage.
I acknowledge the lack of Biblical worldview as it applies to modesty.
I just don't know how to respond Biblically in love and put those two ideas together.
So well written and helped clarify my thoughts.
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