Whirled Views with Dan Burrell

In a few days, America will celebrate her birthday. Each July 4th is replete with celebrations, parades and picnics as we take the day to wallow in unabashed patriotism and the values that make the United States unique among world governments. I’m looking forward to being with my family in Missouri for our annual 4th of July celbration.

Any explanation of the rise of an infant nation from a hostile shore to become the mightiest superpower the world has ever known, that fails to include providential design and our Judeo-Christian heritage, simply ignores the foundation of our wonderful country. Built on that foundation are institutions that provide the pillars of our national successes and blessings.

Consider our commitment to the Rule of Law. Each time that Ive been in the Supreme Court facility in Washington, DC, whether taking a public tour or a private one, I note the deep commitment our government has made to the Rule of Law. By agreeing that there must be a basis for civilization, morality and conduct, our Founding Fathers gave strength to a fledgling country that was hacking out its existence on a hostile frontier. Lawlessness, anarchy and hooliganism could have ruled the day and ruined the future, but from the onset of our federal and local governments, a respect for self-government based on the law was emphasized. Though some would abandon these principles and would turn our constitution into an evolutionary document that is not built on principles but whims, there is still a majority in this country who want the stability that only absolute Truths can provide and no greater record of those Truths can be found than those given to us by God in His Word.

Another Pillar is the strength of Christianity. Try as they might to censor the influence of Christians and Christianity from our history and textbooks, liberal educators and social manipulators cannot completely cover the power of our Christian heritage. Some have suggested that a type of religious pluralism founded on universalism wherein all religions were of equal significance was or is at the heart of our spiritual strength. This is not at all true. Throughout the original writings of our Founding Fathers, the pluralism and religious diversity that they emphasized was among Christian denominations in particular and Judaic sects to a lesser extent. Consider these words from Constitutional Framers

Whoever will introduce into public affairs the principles of Christianity will change the face of the world. - Benjamin Franklin

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! - Patrick Henry

The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. - John Quincy Adams

Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers and it is the duty as well as its privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. - John Jay (1st Supreme Court Justice of the United States.)

Finally, we should celebrate the pillar of family. It is the nuclear family which is the building block for our culture and civilization. It is to be the place where values are taught and caught. It is the haven of privacy and individualism. It is the center of education and training. It is the seat of authority and good citizenship. When Americas families are weakened or threatened, then our entire nation is weakened and threatened. One of the most patriotic acts that any of us can perform is to keep our marriage intact, our children safe and our family strong.

American has many other pillars the free enterprise system, representative government, freedom of the press and speech, opportunities to achieve, freedom to pursue our goals, diversity of choices and so many more. None of these pillars should be taken for granted and all of them should be appreciated and protected.

On this Fourth of July, let us each acknowledge that we are blessed among the worlds citizens to live in a country such as ours. Lets take the precious privilege we have to be Americans and use it for the good of our own and others and for the glory of God!

As the parent of both an adolescent young man and young lady, I can tell you that everyday is an evidence of the steep learning curve required to be a proactive parent for todays Christian teen and in todays post-Christian culture. Trying to protect and shelter without being in a total lock-down mode, staying current with the vernacular and temptations aimed at teens these days, trying to balance the presence of accountability with privacy, learning to communicate to kids who are smart enough to challenge and argue their cases with some sophistication, finding the time and techniques to train and not just attack and many other challenges of rearing good teens is just overwhelming at times.

One of the issues that Im constantly monitoring and discussing with my family and as the pastor of our church involves appropriate attire for young ladies. I believe this is an important issue for several reasons. What young ladies wear says something about the character, discernment and intentions of the individual. Truly, todays fashions are billboards that advertise everything from the brand of the company, to philosophy, to values. It also has an impact on young men (and old men for that matter.) Any red-blooded American male can tell you that provocative, immodest and suggestive clothing is at best a distraction and at worst, a significant temptation. Finally, in a world where there is constant pressure to be sexually active, be attractive, be hip and other values of questionable motivation, our clothes really say a lot about who we are in Christ.

Im not suggesting that Christian young ladies should wear burquas and avoid being out in the daylight. I am suggesting that one of the duties of being a dad is to take a proactive posture in protecting our children from sending the wrong message, being attracted to the wrong things and positioning themselves for undue temptation or moral failures. I realize that at forty-three, Im approaching the age of middle-aged fuddy-duddiness and if you dont believe that, just ask my children. But I also feel that any time my children leave my house, they are positioned to make a statement about the values of our household and more importantly of the Lord Jesus Christ. As long as that is the case, dad is going to have a say in what is worn.

I have three basic standards of discernment when it comes to appropriate attire for young men and women. Modesty, Identity and Propriety. Modest means that it shouldnt be suggestive, revealing or overtly calling attention to ones body in such a way that it might cause others to lust. Identity deals with association and can cover everything from style to advertising. We made the decision in my home to avoid clothing made by Abercrombie and Fitch because of their association with pornography-like advertising techniques we dont want to be identified with those values. We generally avoid clothing that identifies the wearer as rebellious, part of a dark sub-culture or morally loose or gendered confused. Finally, the issue of propriety requires us to ask if what we are wearing is appropriate to the occasion and those with whom we will be interacting as a representative of the Lord. We still ask our kids to dress up a bit for church. If they dress up for school or work, they should also be willing to show a little extra effort and respect for the house of the Lord.

Im not being legalistic and I fully realize that wearing the right things does not make one a better Christian or more spiritual. However, I do believe that a good Christian and one who is desiring spiritual maturity should be conscious of his or her testimony and examine everything from the inside and the outside.

But when it comes right down to it, Dad has a duty to be a gate-keeper in his own home. This may make him downright unpopular at times, but it is his responsibility. For the sake of his children. For the sake of his own reputation. For the assistance of others. For the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope every father will be challenged to provide leadership and direction to their children when it comes to appearance. Remember, every day is a fresh opportunity to train in Biblical principles and to prepare for spiritual leadership.

Scripture tells us that we are not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. The Old Testament prophet asked the question, How can two walk together lest they be agreed? The scholar who takes a careful look at Israels pattern of spiritual revival followed by an extended period during which the nation fell away from God will find that one of the causes for this cycle was intermarriage between pagans and the Children of Israel.

Todays parents need to be mindful of the dangers of unequal yokes. Part of the responsibility of being a parent involves helping our children with the process of selecting friends and an eventual mate. Quite honestly, as I get older, the custom of arranged marriages negotiated by parents who exchanged chickens and goats looks more and more appealing to me. Ive had my eye on a young lady in our church for which Id be happy to give two goats and a heifer if shell wait and marry my seventeen-year-old son.

But seriously, whether we are talking about friendships, marriages or even business partnerships, avoiding an alliance with someone who doesnt share our commitment to Christ and the values of Scripture is essential and Biblical. How many ruined relationships, broken homes and failed business ventures are due to the fact that we think we are the exception to this Bible principle and somehow, things will work out in the end even though we might be headed in a different direction or have a different belief system than the person with whom we go into a partnership. Its not fair to them and it creates stress for us.

If dating is preparation for marriage and the western process by which mates are chosen, then is it not foolish to allow our teens to date young men and young women who do not share the same values, aspirations or even final destination as do our believing children? And lets not get distracted by an anecdote of someone who started dating or even married an unsaved partner and then was able to lead them to the Lord. That doesnt provide permission to ignore Gods Word and instead it is just a demonstration of Gods grace permeating our own disobedience. For every one such example, I can provide ten where the consequences were far more painful and devastating.

Im sure some will say that they know of wonderfully ethical business owners and partners who are not Christians and we might add that we all could cite some so-called Christian business people who were as crooked as a dogs hind leg, but in the end, business partnerships with unbelievers is not only forbidden, it is foolish. From policies on Sunday work to philanthropy to benefit eligibility to work ethic to legal matters the occasions for conflict are just myriad. The bottom line cant always be the bottom line. Sometimes the bottom line simply needs to be what is right.

My parents were wise when they did not permit me to have close friendships and dating relationships with peers who were not Christians. They never tolerated any holier-than-thou attitudes or any unkind responses to overtures from unbelievers, but they knew that at my vulnerable age and in these sensitive relationships, Gods standard of equal yokes was essential for my future direction. One bad relationship might have forever altered my family or my vocation.

In fact, my parents took it one step further and insisted that the young ladies I dated had to be headed in the same spiritual direction that they desired for me. They knew I needed the power of a positive influence in my life, not a negative one. So girls that didnt pass my parents mysterious tests werent available for fraternization. Ive never been quite sure what standards were being applied as to dating suitability, but I think it had something to do with my mothers sixth sense.

Lest someone misinterpret what I am trying to communicate, I dont think we should withdraw from the world or friendship with its inhabitants. In fact, we should engage the culture and participate in it. Biblical lines arent crossed until we make alliances and allegiances with those who would encumber us or prevent us from loving and serving God with all our hearts, souls and might. Following Gods plan and heeding His warning always results in a position that invites His blessings.