Old-Fashioned Values

 

Sex in modern music is not the real issue, the problem is the portrayal or description. In decades past parents had concerns about the sensuality in the music of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles, but at least those musicians did sing about love, affection, tenderness, and commitment, which is preferable to the cold and demeaning (and sometimes violent or sadistic) sensuality pervading modern music.

Sex and violence in modern movies and TV is not the problem, the problem is the portrayal. Many classic movies and TV shows had as much (or more) sex and violence as modern movies and TV shows, but the portrayal was different. For example, in "Gone With The Wind," when Rhett Butler picked up Scarlett O’Hara and carried her up the stairs most knew what was about to happen next and the scene about the morning after made it obvious what had happened the night before, but a child in the audience too young and innocent to understand wouldn’t figure it out based on what was shown. Many classic war movies showed a lot of violence without violence for the mere sake of violence. (Incidentally, these were examples of how Christian influence can and did change things for the better. In the 1920s songs with sexually explicit lyrics were broadcast over radio during the day, and regular movie houses showed movies which featured immorality and full nudity, and some that portrayed homosexuality as acceptable, and a six-year-old with the price of admission was legally free to watch. What happened? In short, Christians took a stand and required standards. Later, in 1939 “Gone With The Wind” was almost considered too risqué to be allowed in regular theatres because of one bad word and a scene in which a husband picked up his wife and carried her upstairs to their bedroom. Think about it.)

It wasn't that long ago that a woman could breastfeed her baby in public without stigma or negative reactions, but pornography was not readily available. Today pornography is readily available on Main Street, at the gas station, on TV, and on the internet, while many think a mother should be ashamed to feed her baby as God designed because they don't know the difference between a mother nursing her baby and a harlot exposing herself. In the 1940s and `50s teenagers smoked cigarettes, but at the same time unwed pregnancy was disgraceful, abortion was an abomination and a crime, and homosexuality was a sexual perversion. Today we segregate smokers and put a sin tax on cigarettes, unwed pregnancy is not viewed as a social malady while teenage pregnancy is considered a crisis, in some States abortion is protected as a legal right, and homosexuality is considered a preference, an alternate lifestyle, and a civil right. (I am not condoning tobacco, just illustrating how our priorities and values have changed.)

What happened? In the ecclesiastical world Bible truths and standards were disregarded or rejected as irrelevant and old-fashioned and as the ecclesiastical world compromised Bible truths and principles the secular world followed. As Christians compromised truths and values to gain the love or acceptance of the world they lost respect and influence.

While it may not be intended as such, it can be taken as complimentary when someone says you are old-fashioned because of your beliefs and values: While trends and technology change continually, truth does not, and the truth will inevitably be considered old or old-fashioned. (Psalm 33:10-11; Proverbs 19:21; Ecclesiastes 1:9-10; James 1:17)

It is amazing how so many professed Christians so readily accept an unscriptural or anti-biblical teaching or theory as truth merely because it is considered new or modern or is endorsed by the world and how easily they dismiss a Bible teaching or standard as wrong or irrelevant if it is considered old-fashioned or unpopular. (Consider Proverbs 2:6; 3:5-7; Isaiah 55:8-9; Jeremiah 6:10, 16, 19; Romans 12:2; Colossians 2:8) The Bible provides guidance in every area of human existence and applying Bible teachings benefits both believers and unbelievers; the important difference is that for the unbeliever the Word of God is convicting and for the believer the Word of God is cleansing. While specific rules of necessity require periodic alterations and additional rules because of differing cultures and changing technology, the Bible teaches truths and principles that apply to every generation and culture. (Psalm 33:4, 10-11; 119:89, 152; Ecclesiastes 1:9-10; II Timothy 3:16)

Many dismiss the Old Testament as irrelevant, which is a mistake. It is not possible to understand the New Testament without the Old Testament. For example, suppose a pastor were caught in the sex act with an animal and the church decided to dismiss him because a pastor must be blameless. What would be the charge? Fornication is clearly condemned in the New Testament but the English word fornication, and the Greek word porneia which is rendered fornication in the English text, simply means sexual immorality. How can bestiality and other immoral sex acts be identified as immoral using only the New Testament? Without the Old Testament the word fornication becomes vague and indistinct. Insisting that the Old Testament is irrelevant and that we only need the New Testament encourages and reinforces myths and heresies.

Do Old Testament laws have any relevance today? Yes. The laws are based on truths and principles, and while the application of the truths and principles may change those truths and principles are eternal. The Law awakened conscience and disciplined moral faculties. The ancient Israelites were like an heir being trained and prepared with a view toward adoption. (Galatians 4:1-5) Just as the head of a household must set standards for his family, God set standards to preserve His truths and principles, protect His people from evil influences, and distinguish them from the heathen; also, the Law, God's standards of righteousness, made the sinful carnal adamic nature manifest, thus showing the need for redemption and a redeemer. (Psalm 119:142; Romans 3:20; 3:31; 5:20; 7:7; Galatians 3:19, 24; I Timothy 1:9) The Law will always stand as God's standards of righteousness but the Law itself had no saving power. (Romans 3:31; 7:12; I Timothy 1:8; Psalm 119:142) Everyone is obligated to obey God. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) The Bible does not teach equality of sins; this can be seen in the differences in the severity of penalties prescribed in the Old Testament. However, one sin or violation of one law is sufficient to make one guilty before God and break fellowship with God. (James 2:10) How many sins did Adam & Eve have to commit to be expelled from Paradise? (One.) Everyone will be judged by works. (John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-13) But good deeds, good works, or right living cannot and will not save anyone. (Isaiah 64:6; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:8-9) Teaching God's holy law (standards of righteousness) is needful so that fallen men can see themselves as sinners in need of a savior. The Law served to manifest the sinful nature, man's depravity, and to pronounce everyone guilty before God and thus demonstrate the need for redemption and a mediator. (Romans 3:19-20; 7:7, 12-14; 8:3-4; Galatians 3:19, 24; I Timothy 1:9-11; Hebrews 7:19)

While the New Testament teaches a different application of grace, the New Testament echoes the truths taught in the Old Testament, reaffirms the moral principles or standards of the Old Testament, and you cannot understand the New Testament without the Old Testament. (Consider Acts 24:14; Romans 3:31; II Timothy 2:15; 3:16) For example, salvation has always been through blood, starting with the blood that was shed for Adam and Eve: Making a coat of skin required the slaughter of an animal. (Genesis 3:21) Abel sacrificed animals while Cain offered the product or fruit of his labors, and Abel's offering was respected. (Genesis 4:3-5; incidentally, Genesis 4 gives the first account of a liberal attacking a conservative.) The blood of animals prefigured the blood of Christ. Old Testament saints looked forward to the Cross and New Testament saints look back to the Cross. (Hebrews 10:1-12)