Sacred and Profane

Jesus Casting Out The Moneychangers At The Temple
Carl Bloch, 1800s

The English word "profane" is derived from two Latin words that mean "outside the temple."  In the most literal sense of the word, my typing these words is a profane activity to be distinguished from singing a hymn in church or celebrating holy communion.  Jesus took issue with the profane invading the sacred when He threw the moneychangers out of the temple.  It was not that there was something wrong with buying and selling, but rather that it had no place in the temple.

The distinction between the profane and the sacred has also had a much wider reach in society.  In most places and times there has been a sense that certain language, certain behavior, even certain dress was appropriate in one area of life but not in another.  Entering a conversation at a sporting event and, in an effort to gain clarity, asking, "How 'bout dem Colts?" is perfectly acceptable.  In another situation, "What do you think about those horses?" may be more fitting.  As one of my English teachers once said, "You wouldn't wear a tuxedo to clean the gutters."

Increasingly, however, the line between sacred and profane is being blurred, as are many of the other lines that give definition and character to our society.  Several years ago I wrote about the unfortunate need in one school district to tell teachers to be sober before reporting to work.  No, I am not making that up.  You can read about it here.  Based on what I saw a teacher recently post on social media, it would seem that another round of much and sadly needed training is required for some of our educators.

This teacher had shared a meme contrasting the national anthem of the United States with a pop song.  The former was described as being as old as s***, written by an unknown a**, boring as hell, and played at lame a** sporting events.  The latter apparently f***ing slaps and is played at lit a** parties.

I am not interested in writing a jingoistic post lauding "The Star Spangled Banner" above all songs, but I am concerned when a teacher has no qualms about sharing such a meme on social media.  A teacher who finds this appropriate has a far different understanding of what it means to be a teacher than can be found in the description of the high calling that most societies have attributed to those who lead children and that I recently wrote about here.

Not every thought that passes through our minds must be shared.  No matter how witty or cute or humorous we think something is, it may not need to be expressed through social media, and that is true whether or not someone is a follower of Jesus Christ.  Those who are, however, have further obligations.  As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:23, "'All things are lawful,' but not all things are helpful.  'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up."  In other words, just because we can does not mean we should.  Christians in particular must be careful of what they say and do not because their words and deeds are earning them salvation, but because those words and deeds will either enhance or detract from their witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and nothing, no matter how amusing it may seem, should ever stand in the way of that.