2008 Woodie Awards
To The Editor
Issue date: 11/30/05 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Dear Editor,
Is there ever a point when you can sit back and say, "Yep, I am officially holy enough"?
Does anyone actually believe that the God of the universe has ever looked down at anyone and said, "They have completely reached my standards"?
I don't believe He has. The point here is that the Christian's pinnacle is perfection in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
I have noticed the on-going debate over modesty in pageants, dances and other events in the Skyliner. To me, the bottom-line question everyone participating in these debates must ask is, "Can we ever be holy enough?"
Stop thinking for a moment on what you think is appropriate or not. Just take some simple, shallow truths the Bible gives us about our God.
We have a God that sees hate as murder. He sees lust as adultery. He commands that we be Holy, and why? Simply because He is Holy.
If you're wondering if I am implying dancing or posing while scantily clad is a question of holiness, I am indeed. One argument sent in could be summarized as saying, "Is it really a big enough deal to care this much? There are too many huge problems in the world to worry about dancing or the content of pageants. So let's not argue. Let's go save the world".
The objection I have with that argument is the premise that both actions, dancing and posing while not adequately covered, are morally condoned and only picky people are causing a ruckus about them. I don't accept that premise.
While I agree that we should be concerned about the bigger picture, and that it is commendable to have a passion for fixing those societal ills, we should not look over our own problems. My position in contrast would sound more like this: "absolute holiness is a big deal to a holy God that will take his place as Judge on judgment day. Therefore, let's stop doing those controversial actions and find solutions on the issues of society. Not let's keep doing them and save the world."
For those of you that have kept an open mind enough to read this far, I'm fairly confident you have already labeled me. You have already thrown me in your box marked "legalist" along with Bob Jones (and I couldn't be in better company). However I would submit to you this: I am not a legalist, but rather, a loyalist. A legalist is someone who imposes his views on someone else.
A loyalist is someone who sets unreachable goals for himself. I am loyal to the king of the ages that commands nothing less than my perfection. I admit that I have not and never will reach the zenith. That is why I answer the original question of, "Can we ever be holy enough?" with a resounding, "no." In closing, I recently found myself debating the one-time Southern Baptist boycott of Disney. Immediately my antagonist cried, "legalist!" at the policy. I now see students saying, "legalist!" at anyone who would restrict immodest dress and dancing.
The fundamental problem is that people are asking, "What would God let us get away with in having fun?"
I believe people should be asking, "What can we do to reach the level of perfection God requires of us, and let's not worry about our own entertainment." I believe we must stop asking, "What's wrong with… dancing, wearing skimpy bathing suits, etc.?" and start asking, "What's righteous and moral with those things?" You know, after all of this defending of high standards, I'm feeling fairly holy.
Cory Truax
sophomore
interdisciplinary studies
Is there ever a point when you can sit back and say, "Yep, I am officially holy enough"?
Does anyone actually believe that the God of the universe has ever looked down at anyone and said, "They have completely reached my standards"?
I don't believe He has. The point here is that the Christian's pinnacle is perfection in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
I have noticed the on-going debate over modesty in pageants, dances and other events in the Skyliner. To me, the bottom-line question everyone participating in these debates must ask is, "Can we ever be holy enough?"
Stop thinking for a moment on what you think is appropriate or not. Just take some simple, shallow truths the Bible gives us about our God.
We have a God that sees hate as murder. He sees lust as adultery. He commands that we be Holy, and why? Simply because He is Holy.
If you're wondering if I am implying dancing or posing while scantily clad is a question of holiness, I am indeed. One argument sent in could be summarized as saying, "Is it really a big enough deal to care this much? There are too many huge problems in the world to worry about dancing or the content of pageants. So let's not argue. Let's go save the world".
The objection I have with that argument is the premise that both actions, dancing and posing while not adequately covered, are morally condoned and only picky people are causing a ruckus about them. I don't accept that premise.
While I agree that we should be concerned about the bigger picture, and that it is commendable to have a passion for fixing those societal ills, we should not look over our own problems. My position in contrast would sound more like this: "absolute holiness is a big deal to a holy God that will take his place as Judge on judgment day. Therefore, let's stop doing those controversial actions and find solutions on the issues of society. Not let's keep doing them and save the world."
For those of you that have kept an open mind enough to read this far, I'm fairly confident you have already labeled me. You have already thrown me in your box marked "legalist" along with Bob Jones (and I couldn't be in better company). However I would submit to you this: I am not a legalist, but rather, a loyalist. A legalist is someone who imposes his views on someone else.
A loyalist is someone who sets unreachable goals for himself. I am loyal to the king of the ages that commands nothing less than my perfection. I admit that I have not and never will reach the zenith. That is why I answer the original question of, "Can we ever be holy enough?" with a resounding, "no." In closing, I recently found myself debating the one-time Southern Baptist boycott of Disney. Immediately my antagonist cried, "legalist!" at the policy. I now see students saying, "legalist!" at anyone who would restrict immodest dress and dancing.
The fundamental problem is that people are asking, "What would God let us get away with in having fun?"
I believe people should be asking, "What can we do to reach the level of perfection God requires of us, and let's not worry about our own entertainment." I believe we must stop asking, "What's wrong with… dancing, wearing skimpy bathing suits, etc.?" and start asking, "What's righteous and moral with those things?" You know, after all of this defending of high standards, I'm feeling fairly holy.
Cory Truax
sophomore
interdisciplinary studies