Thank you, Dr. Watson, for this much needed essay to remind us how different our culture is in comparison to the original recipients of the Scriptures, and how far our culture has strayed from it’s foundational roots. And you’re absolutely correct in stating that the Church must be different than the world. According to Jesus, we are to be both salt and light to the world. What we have now is a culture lacking both salt and light.
Dr. Watson, thanks for the great post about reviving the "culture of honor" in the church and I believe if we do this, it will naturally flow into our secular communities. That is when we are truly salt of the earth and light of the world as stated by Jesus. I wanted to chime in about honoring those with whom we have differences or disagreements or to put it more bluntly those we perceive to be our enemies. I believe this concept of honor even for our perceived enemies is what Apostle Paul reminds us about in Romans 12:19-21. We honor God by honoring our enemies who are also made in the image of God. We honor God and by extension our enemies when we do not take revenge or demand our own pound of flesh. We honor our enemies when we feed them when hungry and give them a drink when thirsty. To not honor is by inference to dishonor. We ultimately honor God when we honor those who have authority over us, even despotic and wicked leaders - it does not mean we do not take a stand for what is God-honoring . Apostle Peter also chimed in on this honor code: "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:17) Peter was not joking about believers honoring the emperor who was not a friend. To truly honor God as sovereign, no one should truly be dishonored, even those with whom we have disagreement even if they are "Cowboys fans." Appreciate your inspiring leadership as always.
We do need to redefine "honor" in our culture. Is it necessary to name so many buildings, athletic stadiums, parks, etc... after someone? My heart goes out to those who quietly and humbly serve such as school bus drivers, janitors, nurses' aides, etc... who never get the recognition they deserve! I just recently saw a new football stadium being built that released the two coaches they are naming it after and cringed at this decision. Not because the people are bad or unworthy but because I wonder why it's necessary and thought about the many other coaches who should have their names highlighted as well. So many people serve others faithfully without any honor beyond a paycheck or sometimes even without a paycheck. What would the Lord say about who and how we are honoring people in our current culture? May the Lord honor those who serve quietly and humbly one day.
I'm 100% with you when it comes to a concern for a lack of honor in western culture and also within the church in the West. Even so, it seems to me that honor is something far more than respect. The notions I wish we could more explicitly connect to honor are: merit, conditionality, exclusivity, and hierarchy. You do hit on the hierarchy bit, but I think it is quite central. It is true that Christians should honor all persons because of the imago dei. It also true that some people have more honor than others, that honor corresponds with merit, and it is reflected in church hierarchy (or should be). As we detach notions of honor from hierarchy, or even membership, we do not really have any right to expect for people to care about honor as such. If the prioritization of honor is not a prerequisite for participating in the church, then why would church folk value it? Yes, our dishonorable members should be treated with greater honor, but if we read that to mean an indifference to honor, or an inversion of it, then I think we are doing this wrong. I don't hear you doing that, but I just anticipate a retort from another person.
The only pushback I have for you and others is what I think many like to imagine: that we can value something without making it a condition of participation. Something shouldn't be in our Book of Doctrines & Discipline unless we are willing to show disorderly walkers the door. Similarly, we shouldn't say we value honor if we aren't willing to alienate folks who dishonor themselves and others. We should be able to expect that our bishops, in particular, comport themselves with the greatest honor and respect. This should flow to our elders, and then to the whole body of the church. Yet unless and until we make this a precondition of membership, I think so much of this talk will be like so much UMC rhetoric -- aspirational and empty.
Reputation is another concept here. We do not have a sense of honor until we make room for everyone to have a reputation. We can't accomplish this in an environment that turns a blind eye to sin, saying we have no right to exercise judgment in the body. Rather, we need to watch over one another in love, and note the people who seem to have a pattern of bad fruit, burned bridges, dysfunctional ministries and relationships, and dishonest exchanges. Once upon a time, a man's word was his bond. His reputation mattered. I think these things are all connected to the concept of honor. A return to a more draconian ethos is in order if we are to take honor seriously, I believe.
Jeffrey, remember that I'm talking about honor in a very specific way: "Honor means we acknowledge the dignity and goodness of others within the ordering of God’s household, the church." I think some of what you are getting at has to do with the ordering of God's household. And yes, church discipline is a part of that. I agree that if the GMC doesn't exercise church discipline, we will be back in the same boat in short order.
David, I am coming to this conversation a few days late, but per the number (and content) of the comments, I would only add that I hope you will return to this subject again. Not only is it interesting, but it is obvious that it is one that is much needed. I believe we want to be people of honor, and show honor to one another in a proper way. It could be that we have forgotten how, or worse, no one has taught us because they never knew either. We either overly honor some people by building statues and then tearing them down, or we don't honor the others who give of themselves so selflessly that only a few people other than the Lord know how great they truly are. We desperately need a corrective.
Hi, Allison. I'll try to write a bit more about this. I'd love it if others would take up the topic as well. It would be great if we could reclaim the notion of honor for the church.
I have great regard for your careful exposition on this subject. Your experience of church culture in Cuba juxtaposes itself (in my mind) to the disarray and ruin of church culture so many of us have experienced in recent decades. Rickman attempts a lengthy rejoinder. Is that the way an office gets fixed?
Excellent post! I’m curious if you have any thoughts about how money works into this. According to Adam Clarke, 1 Timothy 5:17, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching,” refers to extra wages. He goes as far as to say that “Almost every critic of note” holds that as the meaning of the text. It’s been a couple hundred years, and perhaps the scholarly consensus has changed, but money and honor are inextricably linked in our culture as well. We honor professions that make a good wage, and we depreciate professions that do not. Perhaps the concept of honor would add an important element to discussions about church salaries.
Andrew, I think financial compensation can be a way of showing honor, but in the early church the elders weren't drawing a salary. In the U.S., there is probably too strong of a connection between money and honor. In the early church, many of those who were most honored were ascetics and martyrs.
I contend we cannot get to honor until we first begin with character. Unless and until we make character in the people we allow to be in charge of us important again, the concept of honor will escape us as a people. Honor is not something you can pursue as a destination and expect to get it. Honor is only attainable as a gift someone else gives you. When we realize it can only be given and never obtain any other way, we will begin to repair relationships between individuals. That will begin to repair our larger relationships as a people. God bless and Godspeed, sir.
Thank you, Dr. Watson, for this much needed essay to remind us how different our culture is in comparison to the original recipients of the Scriptures, and how far our culture has strayed from it’s foundational roots. And you’re absolutely correct in stating that the Church must be different than the world. According to Jesus, we are to be both salt and light to the world. What we have now is a culture lacking both salt and light.
Dr. Watson, thanks for the great post about reviving the "culture of honor" in the church and I believe if we do this, it will naturally flow into our secular communities. That is when we are truly salt of the earth and light of the world as stated by Jesus. I wanted to chime in about honoring those with whom we have differences or disagreements or to put it more bluntly those we perceive to be our enemies. I believe this concept of honor even for our perceived enemies is what Apostle Paul reminds us about in Romans 12:19-21. We honor God by honoring our enemies who are also made in the image of God. We honor God and by extension our enemies when we do not take revenge or demand our own pound of flesh. We honor our enemies when we feed them when hungry and give them a drink when thirsty. To not honor is by inference to dishonor. We ultimately honor God when we honor those who have authority over us, even despotic and wicked leaders - it does not mean we do not take a stand for what is God-honoring . Apostle Peter also chimed in on this honor code: "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:17) Peter was not joking about believers honoring the emperor who was not a friend. To truly honor God as sovereign, no one should truly be dishonored, even those with whom we have disagreement even if they are "Cowboys fans." Appreciate your inspiring leadership as always.
We do need to redefine "honor" in our culture. Is it necessary to name so many buildings, athletic stadiums, parks, etc... after someone? My heart goes out to those who quietly and humbly serve such as school bus drivers, janitors, nurses' aides, etc... who never get the recognition they deserve! I just recently saw a new football stadium being built that released the two coaches they are naming it after and cringed at this decision. Not because the people are bad or unworthy but because I wonder why it's necessary and thought about the many other coaches who should have their names highlighted as well. So many people serve others faithfully without any honor beyond a paycheck or sometimes even without a paycheck. What would the Lord say about who and how we are honoring people in our current culture? May the Lord honor those who serve quietly and humbly one day.
Well, our values are not God's values. When God sanctifies our hearts, we begin to honor what he honors.
I'm 100% with you when it comes to a concern for a lack of honor in western culture and also within the church in the West. Even so, it seems to me that honor is something far more than respect. The notions I wish we could more explicitly connect to honor are: merit, conditionality, exclusivity, and hierarchy. You do hit on the hierarchy bit, but I think it is quite central. It is true that Christians should honor all persons because of the imago dei. It also true that some people have more honor than others, that honor corresponds with merit, and it is reflected in church hierarchy (or should be). As we detach notions of honor from hierarchy, or even membership, we do not really have any right to expect for people to care about honor as such. If the prioritization of honor is not a prerequisite for participating in the church, then why would church folk value it? Yes, our dishonorable members should be treated with greater honor, but if we read that to mean an indifference to honor, or an inversion of it, then I think we are doing this wrong. I don't hear you doing that, but I just anticipate a retort from another person.
The only pushback I have for you and others is what I think many like to imagine: that we can value something without making it a condition of participation. Something shouldn't be in our Book of Doctrines & Discipline unless we are willing to show disorderly walkers the door. Similarly, we shouldn't say we value honor if we aren't willing to alienate folks who dishonor themselves and others. We should be able to expect that our bishops, in particular, comport themselves with the greatest honor and respect. This should flow to our elders, and then to the whole body of the church. Yet unless and until we make this a precondition of membership, I think so much of this talk will be like so much UMC rhetoric -- aspirational and empty.
Reputation is another concept here. We do not have a sense of honor until we make room for everyone to have a reputation. We can't accomplish this in an environment that turns a blind eye to sin, saying we have no right to exercise judgment in the body. Rather, we need to watch over one another in love, and note the people who seem to have a pattern of bad fruit, burned bridges, dysfunctional ministries and relationships, and dishonest exchanges. Once upon a time, a man's word was his bond. His reputation mattered. I think these things are all connected to the concept of honor. A return to a more draconian ethos is in order if we are to take honor seriously, I believe.
Jeffrey, remember that I'm talking about honor in a very specific way: "Honor means we acknowledge the dignity and goodness of others within the ordering of God’s household, the church." I think some of what you are getting at has to do with the ordering of God's household. And yes, church discipline is a part of that. I agree that if the GMC doesn't exercise church discipline, we will be back in the same boat in short order.
David, I am coming to this conversation a few days late, but per the number (and content) of the comments, I would only add that I hope you will return to this subject again. Not only is it interesting, but it is obvious that it is one that is much needed. I believe we want to be people of honor, and show honor to one another in a proper way. It could be that we have forgotten how, or worse, no one has taught us because they never knew either. We either overly honor some people by building statues and then tearing them down, or we don't honor the others who give of themselves so selflessly that only a few people other than the Lord know how great they truly are. We desperately need a corrective.
Hi, Allison. I'll try to write a bit more about this. I'd love it if others would take up the topic as well. It would be great if we could reclaim the notion of honor for the church.
I have great regard for your careful exposition on this subject. Your experience of church culture in Cuba juxtaposes itself (in my mind) to the disarray and ruin of church culture so many of us have experienced in recent decades. Rickman attempts a lengthy rejoinder. Is that the way an office gets fixed?
Perhaps so, Gary. I sure hope something fixes this in the church.
Excellent post! I’m curious if you have any thoughts about how money works into this. According to Adam Clarke, 1 Timothy 5:17, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching,” refers to extra wages. He goes as far as to say that “Almost every critic of note” holds that as the meaning of the text. It’s been a couple hundred years, and perhaps the scholarly consensus has changed, but money and honor are inextricably linked in our culture as well. We honor professions that make a good wage, and we depreciate professions that do not. Perhaps the concept of honor would add an important element to discussions about church salaries.
Andrew, I think financial compensation can be a way of showing honor, but in the early church the elders weren't drawing a salary. In the U.S., there is probably too strong of a connection between money and honor. In the early church, many of those who were most honored were ascetics and martyrs.
I contend we cannot get to honor until we first begin with character. Unless and until we make character in the people we allow to be in charge of us important again, the concept of honor will escape us as a people. Honor is not something you can pursue as a destination and expect to get it. Honor is only attainable as a gift someone else gives you. When we realize it can only be given and never obtain any other way, we will begin to repair relationships between individuals. That will begin to repair our larger relationships as a people. God bless and Godspeed, sir.
Character is definitely an important part of this. In the household of faith, character matters a great deal.