Four Cardinal Virtues – Part Two

The ancient Greeks considered there to be four vital virtues. They are:

                PRUDENCE, JUSTICE, COURAGE, and TEMPERANCE.

Prudence is practical wisdom that leads to good choices and results in successful living. Consider the A, B, Cs of these self-imposed tests of your decisions. Acceptability: Will this decision please the Lord?

Benefit: If this is exposed will it cause embarrassment?

Consequence: Am I prepared to live with the consequence?

In our feel good selfie society, persons often give primary consideration to feelings, emotions rein in making decisions. In making decisions it is imperative to reverse those roles. We must think first, then consider feelings.

Every path has a puddle. Everyone is a test of our character. How we respond to them is a revelation of who we are. “The integrity of the upright will guide them…” (Proverbs 11:3)

Temptation awaits our responsibility. Counsel that is applicable to all is specifically addressed to youth: “Flee… youthful lusts” (II Timothy 2:22).

The word “flee” means to run so fast as to kick up dust.

Flee and don’t leave a forwarding address.

Psalm 15 notes that in the eyes of a person of character “a vile person is despised”(Vs. 4). That is, there is no playful tolerance with evil. They do not develop friends of base, crude, evil, foul or gross persons.

Conversely a prudent person “honors those who fear the Lord” (Psalm 15: 4b).

Justice is the second of the four vital virtues. Justice centers on acts of fairness, honesty, and the rules of law.

Psalm 15: 2 gives three descriptive terms for such a person:

First: “He walks uprightly…” This is one translation of the Hebrew word for “integrity.” (vs. 2a). He leads an uncorrupted life.

Second: “And works righteousness…” (Vs. 2b). He does what is right.

Third: “He speaks truth from his heart…” (Vs. 2c).

This type of person tells the truth plain and simple. He doesn’t have a personal glossary of terms as defined by himself.  He doesn’t play word games. He avoids semantical sand traps.

An old Hebrew translation of this is: “One who doesn’t trip over his own tongue.”

An iconic person of justice who embodies those traits is to be admired. Reflect on them and objectively evaluate how well you consistently embody them.

Four Cardinal Virtues – Part One

Jesus dealt with a cast of characters as diverse as we. He provided for all the potential of peace with God in time and for eternity. In time He inspired hope and for eternity He enabled the love of God to be shared.

It is through the most circuitous route that He leads us to build our character. Character traits were once the words used when persons were spoken of. People were described as persons of character. Words such as honesty, integrity, truthful, and dependable were used.

Gradually the operative word changed from character to personality. Charming, cool, funny, and outgoing became the vocabulary.

Character has been so devalued as an admirable trait we have even been assured character doesn’t count.

How can it be said character doesn’t count in a world full of “oughts” and “shoulds.” Frequently in Scripture the expression “ought to” is used. It means what we “ought” to do is for our good and God’s glory.

Every “ought” is rooted in a value; every value requires a choice, every choice reveals character. Get it!

Every ought is
rooted in a value;
every value requires
a choice; every choice
defines a character.

Character isn’t something you have; it is something you are that inevitably shows itself in what you do.

Aristotle, the godfather of Greek philosophy, asserted human behavior can be shaped, that certain behaviors are helpful for individuals and society, and the best way to develop good behavior is by observing good role models. The Greeks identified four cardinal virtues: PRUDENCE, JUSTICE, COURAGE, and TEMPERANCE.

Though there are many attributes of those who can come into God’s presence, let’s concentrate on these four. Consider developing these four character traits. Look for them in others and model them. In this and subsequent post will be our theme.

Character and integrity are twins that walk hand in hand. Scripture speaks often of integrity as an integral part of character. Consider these two anchoring texts in considering the concept of character.

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” (Proverbs 10: 9)

“I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.” (I Chronicles 29: 17)

Wooden Horses

According to ancient Greek history, the Trojan Horse allowed the war-weary Greeks to enter the city of Troy and finally win the Trojan war. Legend has it that the massive wooden horse was built at the behest of Odysseus, who hid inside its structure along with several other soldiers to ultimately emerge once taken into the city and lay siege to the city, and open the gates to the city.

While visiting the Dardanelles in Turkey I saw a replica of the Trojan Horse. The story, if fiction is a brilliant myth, and if true a genius military tactic.

There is a similar story about the army laying siege to the ancient city of Joppa now in Israel. They placed large ornate baskets outside the city gates. When taken in the city soldiers inside the baskets overwhelmed the gatekeepers and allowed the army to conquer the city.

America, are you listening?

We may very well have altered the story. We opened the gate ourselves and let in a force that may have made us vulnerable.

There is one word that may lead to tragedy for America the beautiful. It is “inclusion.” It started off as a desire to let Black Americans become more engaging in all of American society, education, politics, government, business, entertainment, etc. That was a good idea that may have gone awry.

It now includes foreigners who do not have the same standards, ethics, morals, historical or political views. Admirable examples of some who have brought with them a good work ethic and other virtues have unintentionally opened the gate a bit wider.

Opening our borders is an example of an excessive and obsessive act. While many have been a blessing an undocumented hoard is sure to have ushered in some who are not only undesirable but some who pose a threat. That threat may not be a terrorist threat, but a cultural erosion of values.

Some members of Congress are an example of this. Not only has our current President opened the gate widely, but some presidents before him did. Obama allowed in what has proven to be a voting colony and they have sent a delegate to Congress. That is an example of what inclusion can do.

Big hearted, open minded, benevolent, progressive are some words used in defense of inclusion. The late Thomas Sowell, said many people today confuse feeling with thinking. We need to think correctly and clearly first, and let our feelings follow.

When inclusion is aligned with equity and diversity they make another open gate. It has even gotten into our military. Think about it, in combat, would you rather have a person in command because they meet the EDI standard or one who has rank because of being trained and is most qualified?

It is beginning to manifest itself in the medical community. Same principle, which do you want, the EDI doctor or the best trained and qualified?

How about athletics? Who do you want on your team, the best player or one who is there because of EDI. Come to think about it if EDI is to be the basis of playing time, that will shuffle some football and basketball rosters.

The problems caused by EDI are the result of it being challenged more and more. Now that the problems it causes are known can we step back, think about it, and make some changes. Concede, it is hard to get a wooden horse out.

Jerusalem the Contested City

“And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it”
Zechariah 12: 3.

The Israeli/Hamas War is complex. It is a contest between two people and two religions. Here I propose to give an elementary overview of the center of the contest.

The Arab peoples surrounding Jerusalem have a passion for possessing the city that is not justified by history. Muslims claim Jerusalem as their third-holiest city, but Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Koran. In addition, “During the centuries when Jerusalem was under complete Arab control, no Arab ruler or Islamic leader ever made it the object of a religious pilgrimage – again a strange indifference toward a city which is now considered to be the third-holiest religious site in Islam after Mecca and Medina”.

Jerusalem’s importance to Muslims comes from the belief that in the Dome of the Rock shrine there is a rock where two significant things happened – where Abraham intended to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, and where Mohammed allegedly ascended into heaven. Though this tradition is firmly in the Muslim mind, it is of recent origin. It was invented by Yasser Arafat’s uncle – Haj Amin el-Husseini, who was the past Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. He promoted this concept in the 1920’s and 1930’s to arouse Arab passions against the growing Jewish presence in Jerusalem.

The Dome of the Rock was built not because of the Koran, but because the Muslim ruler Abdal-Malik wanted to gain revenue from pilgrims and worshipers, and because he wanted to prevent the rebuilding of a Jewish Temple.

I have visited the Dome of the Rock many times having even been beneath the sacred stone into the Well of Souls which is no longer allowed. It is an impressive place.

That is the Arab side which I hope Muslims will agree is historically correct though the commentary is likely offensive.

Now the Jewish perspective. Jewish claim to the city is based on Scripture. The very fact that Jerusalem is mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible makes it worthy of special attention. This unique city is the only one upon which God has bestowed His distinctive blessing and protection (Ps 132:13-14), and the only city for whose peace we are commanded to pray (Ps 122:6). God says He has chosen Jerusalem as the place where He has put His name forever (2 Chr 6:6; 33:7; Ps 46:4; 48:1-8; 87:3).

After the Six Day War in which Jews conquered the Holy Mountain on which the Dome stands they gave it back to the Arabs in an effort to achieve peace. It is one place contested by two people. I have friends of both faiths. We are friends knowing our disagreement.

I have relied heavily on the commentary of David for some of these insights.

Conduct for End Times

Within most cultures is a strata of citizens known as Christians. Within this body there is hope regarding the end of the ages. Strongly held within this group there is the belief the Messiah is coming as a prelude to the end of the ages. Against that background of thoughts the question is asked are current events in the Israeli/Hamas War a sign of the end times? This writing is offered with the hope it will introduce those who are not Christians to the Christian perspective and that Christians should be encouraged by it.

I am not a date fixer. No person knows the time.

I believe in the imminent, not the immediate, return of Jesus Christ. Imminent means near at hand; impending. It may be immediate or may not be, but that it is fast approaching.

Rather than get involved in complex signs I want to share what should be our personal conduct in order to be ready personally in the event the greatly hoped for return is immediate. These thoughts are found in the Bible book of I Peter chapter 4.

“The end of all things is at hand; be you therefore sober…” The Greek word for sober means to have self-disciplined, sober thought. As used it is not restricted to alcohol. If a person feels civilization is on the cusp of the abyss they should be living their best, self-controlled.

Second, “The end of all things is at hand… Watch unto prayer.” This is instruction to be vigilant in prayer looking for occasions to pray. This is advantageous for our war-weary and peace-deprived society.

Third, “The end of all things is at hand… Have fervent love.” People hunger for love. Those who do love are fulfilled and rewarded in the very act. Earlier in the book of I Peter are explicit instructions for Christians to love one another. Later there is an instruction to love all others. As Christians we should not parade the faults and sins of one another. We should extol one anothers virtues and encourage their devotion to the Lord.

Fourth, “The end of all things is at hand… Use hospitality one toward another, without grudging.” Forced hospitality is not fulfilling. We are to use our God given talents and give of our discretionary resources to aid worthy causes and meritorious individuals.

Fifth, “The end of all things is at hand… If any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God.” The Apostles are an example of doing this. When they were beaten for their faith they went away considering it a joy that they were counted worthy to suffer for the Lord.

The world might think it strange that believers do not agree with their profligate actions and as a result belittle the faithful, even cut them off. Among world gloom, persecution has become the unwanted experience of many, even causing some to lose their lives.

Sixth, “The end of all things is at hand… Judgment must begin at the house of God.” This is because Christians, the church that is, is intended to be an example to the world. It should be self-purging.

Seventh, “The end of all things is at hand… Commit the keeping of (your) souls to the Lord.” These are days when we must encourage ourselves in the joy of the Lord. These steps encourage it.