Se7en Deadly Sins Redux

All hope abandon, ye who enter here! ~ Dante Alighieri

“Some people get so caught up in their own holiness that they look at the Trinity for a possible vacancy.” ~ John MacArthur

Admittedly I am not a fan of the horror or “slasher” movie genre. I make it a point of avoiding these types of films and televisions programs for many reasons. I’ve addressed this in previous posts, but if the Gospel changes everything, (II Corinthians 5:17) it should also have a bearing on my entertainment choices. What that looks like for me may be different for you, and I am willing to let the Holy Spirit inform others rather than attempting to force my applications on them. Since I believe we are image bearers of God (Imago Dei), I struggle with watching anything that depicts gratuitous violence being inflicted on others. Each one of us needs to continually evaluate these choices in light of Philippians 4:8 and ponder if God would agree with us that it is true, pure, just, lovely and of a good report. Like you, I still struggle with keeping that in the forefront of my mind.

Hollywood has recognized our culture’s fascination with the bizarre and grotesque, and there seems to be no end to the movie going public’s insatiable appetite for the disturbing and macabre. Back in 1995 one movie that was a box office favorite was the film “Se7en” starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey. The storyline of the film followed two police detectives pursuing a serial killer who was murdering his victims in a manner which depicted the seven deadly sins. These so-called top seven are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony. Fortunately there are “only” seven in this list or this film might have spawned a myriad of sequels similar to the “Saw” franchise. Hollywood does like to beat the proverbial dead horse if they can make a buck.

The seven deadly sins are actually loosely based on a scriptural passage in the Old Testament. In Proverbs 6:16-19 Solomon lists things that God hates, but his list is considerably different than the traditional one. The only one that they really share in common is pride. In the New Testament the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians has more of the list of seven, but the list he provides in verses 15 through 21 are considerably longer. The seven deadly sins on the “traditional” list are commonly attributed to a 4^th century Catholic Monk named Evagrius Ponticus. Two centuries later Pope Gregory I revised that list before they found their way into Dante Alighieri’s epic poem “The Divine Comedy”. All this serves to point up the importance of knowing what God’s Word specifically calls a sin and the need to separate man’s ideas from God’s biblical truth.

In the past two weeks I have heard multiple speakers caution their audience about blurring the Gospel by considering some sins as “unpardonable”. A few prime examples that seem to be on the lips of Christendom are alcohol consumption, divorce, abortion and sexual preference. If I didn’t know any better I would almost get the impression that my fellow evangelicals believe in mortal and venial sins. But I digress… Indeed the Bible is very clear about how God views our choices, however any student of the Bible knows that God can and will pardon the sinner no matter how grievous WE may think their sin is. The Gospel is powerful enough to deliver the self-righteous too. If you consider yourself a “whole Bible Christian” then you know that God forgave murderers (David and Paul) as well as prostitutes (Rahab ) and those with multiple partners (woman at the well in Jn. 4:1-26). The Bible also shows that God can and will forgive those who find their identity in their “holiness” instead of in Him alone. Thankfully it is not up to you or I to determine who is worthy of God’s mercy and grace.

But hypothetically speaking; what would Dante’s poem look like today if he attended church in North America or had his own social media profile? What would his list of seven look like based on what we commonly consider “sinful” behavior? Who is the smartest person in the room or he who is the most “separated” wins! So with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek here is Dante’s list for the 21^st Century. To any non-US readers I beg for your indulgence as this post will likely be perceived as “amerocentric” in nature. However it serves to underscore a growing concern for the shallowness of our faith and practice which seems to be spiraling into a form of godliness, (2 Tim. 3:5). It makes me wonder sometimes if God himself finds our worship as grotesque as a Hollywood horror film?

First on the list is Christian music style and preference. More ink has been spilled in books, blogs and social media comments on what is good or bad Christian music. An individual’s spiritual standing with God rises and falls like a barometer on whether or not their music tastes align with ours. The arrogance displayed and reliance on human wisdom divorced from the Gospel on both sides of the aisle is staggering. In the so-called “worship wars” the most notable casualty is the Gospel. God’s spirit must be grieved at the petty bickering devoted to this subject while souls are lost and going to a Christ-less eternity. Let the Holy Spirit inform and pray that He would inform you as well. But arguing about this in front of the watching world does not draw people to the Gospel. It is very apparent at times that Romans 14 is blithely ignored, and even though each is convinced in his own mind and do it unto the Lord we despise, judge and quarrel over opinions.

Second on Dante’s new list would probably be political affiliation. I have friends and family that refuse to give an audience to the Gospel message because of rabid and mean-spirited partisanship…on both sides of the aisle. We each need to ask ourselves if our discussion of politics is done in a manner that does not create a stumbling block to winning people to Christ. Belittling or demonizing someone simply for their political leanings is an anathema to the Gospel. The Gospel and your political party of choice are not mutually exclusive.

The third deadly sin would be dependent on which theological system you subscribe to. I am speaking specifically if you lean towards a Reformed (Calvinism) or Arminian interpretation of scripture, or if you subscribe to a Dispensationalist or a Covenant theology. Good men can disagree about theological systems (soteriology) and eschatology, but at times you wouldn’t think so. Ask yourself this key question; do you think that the average man on the street even knows or cares what system you adhere to when their biggest and most crucial need is the Good News? Do you think arguing where you fall on the five points or who leans one way or the other is being salt and light? There are people reading this blog right now who don’t have a clue what I am even talking about…and they are probably professing Christians. But just the slightest innuendo that a ministry leans one way or the other and they think the bogey man is in their midst. Echoing in my ears are the verses arguing that I am of Paul, I am of Apollos…ah, but we are of Christ! (I Corinthians 1:12). Maybe we should take a cue from Gamaliel in Acts 5:33-39; if it is of God you cannot stand against it.

The fourth deadly sin of our generation is Bible translations. Without a doubt some modern translations are stronger and more faithful to the ancient texts, but God’s Word is still sharper than a two edge sword in modern English or Elizabethan. Frankly speaking; God is grieved by this idolatry.

When Dante walked in our churches he immediately knew what the fifth deadly sin had to be; “casual” dress. Men without neckties and women in pants! Oh the humanity! We need to get back to those externals. Seriously folks, is there a single instance in the New Testament where Jesus specifically castigates someone for their attire? Oh yeah…the Pharisees, (Matt. 23:5). How about we just walk in and praise God that we have the opportunity to worship with a fellow believer without fear or restraint? If you are wearing a neck tie or tie-dye, I am just glad to see you in church. We say with our lips that we don’t expect people to look like us, but our attitude betrays us. Are we communicating to the believer and the unbeliever your not welcome here if you don't wear clothing we deem as acceptable for worship? Again, rely on the Holy Spirit informing rather than demanding conformance to the subculture.

Imagine Dante’s shock when he saw these shabbily clothed sinners reading God’s Word on an iPhone, iPad, Kindle or Nook. The sixth deadly sin is eReaders. For all we know they might be texting, updating their status or playing Angry Birds. For all we know those with the printed Bible could be daydreaming, thinking about what’s for lunch, or judging another man’s servant (Rom. 14:4). God’s Word is still powerful whether it is in the printed or digital form, and it will not return void, (Isaiah 55:11). Praise God that those in the younger generation have God’s Word so easily and readily accessible. It is a safe bet that those in the persecuted churches abroad would be glad to be able to afford or have access to a Bible in any form!

Weary at all this widespread rebellion, Dante’s final deadly sin of the modern era was small groups. What?!? Get together and read a book by a Christian author that helps apply scriptural truth for everyday life? Heresy! Discussing biblical truth and how to live out the Gospel in a close and personal setting sounds an awful lot like discipleship and sharpening iron. The 1^st Century church got together in homes and in public settings for hours, but don’t let those historical facts cloud your judgment. Have you ever once considered that people are starved for more spiritual companionship and are aching for more edification and fellowship? Lord forbid they should discuss a book that focuses on The Book. Maybe if we actually talked more actively and openly about what God was doing in our lives there would be no need for small groups. But it seems like when we get together to “fellowship” we talk about anything and everything other than spiritual matters.

We are often reminded that scripture warns us about calling evil, good, (Isaiah 5:20), but the other side of that same coin is to call something that is good, evil. We need to be silent where the Bible is silent and loud where the Bible is loud. We need to be very cautious about judging others and their motives simply based on our preferences, conscience or man’s logic and reasoning. In Acts 10 Peter is given a vision that shocked him and he argued with God about what was clean and unclean. This vision led him to seek out a non-Jewish occupier of Israel named Cornelius and bring the Gospel message to him. Peter and Cornelius were polar opposites in many ways, but the great equalizer was the Gospel. This act preceded Paul’s missionary journeys that ultimately brought the Good News to Gentile (non-Jewish) world. Lucky for us that we weren’t on that roof in Joppa or maybe we would still be arguing with God about this vision and doubting His call to fulfill the Great Commission…

So there you have it; Dante’s 21^st century edition of the Se7en Deadly Sins for the American church. Let’s major on the minors and marginalize the Gospel. If you feel this list is more important than the Gospel then do us all a favor and DON’T make disciples. Our nation does not need another generation of shallow believers. Seriously, we would do well to focus on rooting the original deadly sins out of our lives before we add more or create a new list. But for those bothered by this 21^st century edition my advice to you is to just relax. After all, the beauty of made-made lists is that they are subject to change at any time. Aren’t you glad we serve a God who by His very nature is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” ~ Galatians 5:16-26