Our coarse culture needs common sense

The Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary says “common sense” is sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts. During the past couple of weeks, many of us have struggled with the lack of common sense in our world and in our churches.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from a friend. He asked me a question about something that happened at his church on Sunday. He said their worship service began with a long explanation about questionable decisions made recently by another denomination. Then, in a derogatory tone, he was told why that denomination was wrong in making those decisions. People were distracted and began passing judgment during worship.

Whether we agree or disagree with the decisions of other denominations, the question that my friend posed regarded the appropriateness of this discussion during worship.

Most of us were raised with the understanding that talking about or putting down our neighbors in public is not good judgment. Instead, we were taught to love and pray for them as stated in Scripture. Sadly, a wide variety of people in our world have demonstrated a colorful display of lack of judgment and common sense.

We have seen the antics of Kanye West on stage and Serena Williams on the tennis court, heard people from both sides of the political aisle behave badly, and witnessed people across this country engage in angry, contentious conflict.

We don’t have to ask where this behavior was learned. Turn on the television and radio. Talk show hosts, such as Jerry Springer or Maury Povich, boost ratings by inciting onscreen riots for pure entertainment value. Talk radio shows and biased news media outlets point fingers (from both sides) rather than give the news.

Is this taking a toll on our lives and our spiritual formation, and is it creeping into our services, small groups and church meetings? It is difficult to build relationships or have conversations unless we first draw sides and take a position.

To add this dissension to our worship is inappropriate and a lack of common sense. The outcome of this will be worship services or pulpits that look no different than the media circus we see every time we turn on our television.

I have tried to grasp common sense from a biblical point of view. While reading Hal Urban’s book “The Ten Commandments of Common Sense,” I was able to shed some light on the problem and how followers of Jesus Christ may begin to set a more biblical standard for our world by promoting basic common sense. These are Urban’s words:

• Don’t be seduced by popular culture. It prevents you from thinking for yourself.
• Don’t fall in love with money and possessions. It will make you greedy and shallow.
• Don’t use destructive language. It hurts others as well as yourself.
• Don’t judge other people. It is better to work on your own faults.
• Don’t let anger get out of control. It can wreck relationships and ruin lives.
• Keep a positive outlook on life. It’s the first step toward joy.
• Bring out the best in other people. It is better to build up than to tear down.
• Have impeccable integrity. It brings peace of mind and a reputation of honor.
• Help those in need. It really is better to give than receive.
• Do everything in love. It is the only way to find true peace and fulfillment.

Do not think these issues are about a decision by another denomination, politics, or even positions or agendas – this is about our nature as children of God, a chosen people, holy and set apart. It is time we as the church led by example and modeled to the world how God’s way is truly “common sense.”

By Rev. Robert Henry first published in The FWLutheran October, 2009