Authority/Absolutism and Woke

Author’s Note: I thought a long time about whether-or-not I would publish this paper because of its “political correctness” and “controversial nature”. But hey, these are the things that cross peoples minds all the time. They need to be spoken about and the truth needs to come forward. And if not spoken of by Christians and ministers of the Gospel, then by who? Truth will be revealed and hopefully along with that understanding. If I am wrong then I am wrong, but, I will not hide. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) Lets face it – the Bible is not Politically Correct and His Word has started wars. Not my problem. I am to preach truth.

 A quote of Hamlet’s line to Rosencrantz in act 2, scene 2 of Shakespeare’s Hamlet states: “…for there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so”. It seems as though “Woke” reasoning existed long before “Black Lives Matter”.

Many Christians out of a desire to be compassionate, accepting, and loving, yield to a woke orientation unaware of its unbiblical tendencies. In “Woke” reasoning, there are no absolutes. I have heard it said that if “Woke” has an absolute it is that they are absolutely sure there are no absolutes. Wok’ers believe that things change according to circumstances. i. g. lying is OK if by lying you keep someone from being hurt, and, people are no longer forgiven, even if they apologize they must pay, (what Jesus did on the Cross is not sufficient).  

Definition of Absolute: Something that is conceived or exists independently and not in relation to other things; something that does not depend on anything else and is beyond human control; “no mortal being can influence the Absolute“. e. g. Good and Evil are absolutes. (Webster)

Definition of Woke: A (slang) term that is easing into the mainstream from some varieties of a dialect called African American Vernacular English (sometimes called AAVE -). In AAVE, awake is often rendered as woke, as in, “I was sleeping, but now I’m woke.” [My definition: …“relating to any rhetoric or actions (usually left wing) that does not believe in Absolutes.”]

God and The Holy Bible are Absolutes. His Authority and His Word are Absolutes. He never changes nor does His Word change. This idea of Absolutism can be confusing to some. I think its concept can be somewhat illustrated in our behavior towards authority. Let me give you an example. Years ago when my wife and I were in the process of adopting a child we were in the Judges chambers and I witnessed something very interesting. Our Judge (Judge Barkley*) was very well liked by many and much loved by his staff. In his office, his staff would joke with “Barkey”. They would through paper at him when he wasn’t paying attention referring to his “Barking” personality for example. Then came time for us to meet him in the Courtroom and they helped him put on his Judges Robe. All of a sudden the atmosphere in the room changed. It was: “yes, Your Honor”; “what can we get for you Your Honor”, “…it’s almost time Your Honor”. “Barkey” became, His Honor Judge Barkley. His authority in the Courtroom became Absolute. (*Barkley was not his reals name.)

Another Biblical illustration of this can be seen in the book of Esther.  It recounts an incident that occurred in Persia under King Ahasuerus. He is depicted as ruling over the entire (known) earth. His reign and his Authority were Absolute. You could not enter his chambers unless you were summoned or you would die. In the custom of those days you never show your back to the King but would approach him bowing several times and retreat out of the chamber backwards. In the Book of Esther in the Bible, Ahasuerus (the Persian King) summoned his Queen Vashti to appear before him and his court in order to show off her beauty. Vashti refused thereby setting a precedent for the kingdom and all wives in the kingdom. She was eventually banished from Ahasuerus court; possibly the Kingdom (some say killed). The King could not allow this disobedience to happen or his whole Kingdom would start rebelling. Vashti is sometimes depicted in Jewish literature as some kind of “Women’s Libber” individual always wanting her own way. In making this account short; (you need to read the book of Esther.). Now enter Esther (a Jewess). Esther had won a beauty contest and was to be the King’s new Queen. But,  because of a racist/political conflict between the court princes and the Jews, she was set up to be disgraced. As a result Esther had to go before the King without being summed. Her response was: “I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish”. A beautiful story illustrating the Absolute Authority of the King of Persia.

Today, this type of Authority and Absolutism is not respected probably because it is not properly taught; neither at home nor in school. Instead we are taught to stand up for ourselves (whatever that may mean). Absolutism may seem harsh and ridiculous to some; unless we apply it to an Absolute God and His Absolute Word. His Word is clear: “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.” (James 5:12) and “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one (Matthew 5:37). Here’s something to think about – Why don’t we answer our children with a “Yes” or “No” when asked a question by them instead of “Maybe”. Why is this so difficult? Maybe it is because we want to put off a decision we don’t like until later, or we would rather be ambiguous rather than be truthful. If our yes is yes and our no is no, our children will at least be able to respect and trust our word instead of always being uncertain – usually thinking the answer is “No”.

Truth is also an Absolute. It cannot be altered or misdirected. Jesus is, “… the Truth the Way and the Life.” (John 14:6) See chart “The World vs. God” below. You cannot “Wink” at God thinking He’s going to let (this thing) pass. “Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, Who points with his fingers;” (Proverbs 6:13) and “He who winks the eye causes trouble, And a babbling fool will come to ruin.” (Proverbs 10:10)

God demands Absolute Obedience. When Almighty God lays down a law He expects everyone to keep it in an Absolute sense. The Bible talks about Moses being a friend of God and that God talked to him “Face to Face” but God expected Absolute obedience with Moses. Exodus 4:24 says, “At a lodging place on the way (Moses was leaving for Egypt to do His will), the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him”. Moses had just left Midian and agreed (with some reluctance) to go to Egypt and lead the Hebrew people out of slavery and set them free (we know the story). So, why kill him? Well, because Moses had failed to keep the law of Circumcision and his son was not circumcised. Moses was unable to do it at the time. (Some say because God was about to kill him and he couldn’t.) Therefore, Moses’s wife (in anger) did the circumcision. “Then Zipporah took a flint, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet; and she said, Surely a bridegroom of blood art thou to me.” Exodus 4:25

There is another lessen to be learned here. Moses was doing a pretty good job. God Himself later called Moses His friend, a man He spoke to “face to face”. Now, mankind often says, “I’ve been doing good, surly God won’t mind if I slip up a little here.” This is man’s kind of thinking. “Look at all the good I’ve done or they have done”. Not so with an Absolute God. You sinned, you pay. (Praise God! for Jesus Who has taken away all our sins or we would surely perish.)

Let us step back for a moment and look at how Scripture should be interpreted. I read in the scriptures, for example, that if you, “…ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and everyone who seeks, finds; and to everyone who knocks the door will be opened”(Luke 11: 9-13). This may be one of the most abused scriptures in the Bible. Now I believe that this is the Truth and that it is Absolute. However, I have asked, believing, many times, as have many others,  and nothing happens. When you interpret this scripture you must interpret it in view of other scriptures. You can not chop the Bible verses up and use them at your pleasure just to meet you needs and thoughts. The Bible must be viewed in its entirety. Why does it seem that prayers are sometimes not answered? Don’t rationalize (Christians are masters of rationalization). The answer to this question giving Christian cliches such as: “Maybe He said “No”; or maybe you have sin, doubt or unforgiveness in your life, or, “you just need to believe His Word and have Faith”. Some of these may be true but maybe the answer is “I just don’t know but I still believe in Him who gives the promise”. A life of faith is a life of not knowing, it is not a life of understanding and intellect. If we know that we know – that we know – that we know – it is not Faith; that is knowing. Faith comes when we do not know anything but we do know He who is calling us.

Here’s a little Bible study on the World (Woke-ism) vs. God (Absolutism) Look up the scriptures for the “Real” answer.

Wisdom From Oswald Chambers

We are all based on a conception of importance, either our own importance, or the importance of someone else; Jesus tells us to go and teach based on the revelation of His importance. “All power is given unto Me.… Go ye therefore ….” So Send I You,”

Enough said.

Thy Words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)