About Jesus - Steve (Stephen) Sweetman

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The Fallacy of Arrogance

An important distinction in Biblical interpretation is recognizing that the Biblical text was not originally written to us, but, it was written for us.  We must learn what it said to past people and then see how it can apply to us today.  The Bible, then, has much to say to me, to you, to the church, and to our nations.  It is not merely a book to be studied and debated by scholars in the hallowed halls of our theological seminaries (although it is that too) with little practical relevance.  Instead, it speaks directly to our everyday life.  So, consider what the Book of Proverbs says to you and me, the church, and our nations about prideful arrogance.

"To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I [God] hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech"(8:13).  "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom" (11:2).  "Where there is strife, there is pride" (13:10).  "A fool's mouth lashes out with pride" (14:3).  "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (16:18).  "Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor" (29:23).

Prideful arrogance entered the humanity through Adam and Eve's attempt to elevate themselves above God.  When confronted with their arrogant sin, they refused to take responsibility by shifting the blame away from themselves.  It's a pattern that has continued to infect humanity and its systems and cultures ever since.

My particular motivation for writing this article stems from observing the first two media briefings regarding the war in Iran presented by U.S. Secretary of Defense (War) Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Dan Caine. The contrast between the two men was obvious.  I'm not debating the reasons for the war.  I have mixed thoughts about that.  Rather, I am pointing out the harsh, nasty, and arrogant, rhetoric from Hegseth in contrast with the quiet humility displayed by Caine.  From my Biblical perspective, prideful arrogance has no place anywhere, especially in the context of war, where lives on both sides are tragically exterminated.  I guess it's easy to be arrogantly excited about military conquest from the comfortably safe confines of the United Sates.   

While I have singled out Pete Hegseth in this instance, the reality is that prideful arrogance inflicts every area of our culture, including Christian culture.  The Book of Proverbs speaks to all of us, to individuals, the church, and our nations.  Proverbs reminds us that God hates arrogance that erupts in corrupt speech (8:13).  Such arrogance leads to our disgrace (11:2).  It ends in conflict (13:10) that reveals our foolishness (14:3). It will eventually destroy an arrogant people and their nation (16:18).  Pride simple humiliates us all (29:23).

A proverb is not a prophecy predicting a specific future outcome.  Rather, it offers truthful, common sense, practical wisdom about life and its probable outcome.  The Book of Proverbs advises us all o reject arrogance.  If we ignore that wisdom, we will probably suffer the consequences, displaying the fallacy of arrogance.

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