All we really need, it's dogmatically asserted, it a good self-esteem and an opportunity to define ourselves as children, teenagers, or adults. The rest will take care of itself. All parents and teachers need to do is facilitate this moral revelation by calling it out with psychological techniques like values clarification. We think we can develop moral character in the young without wielding moral authority. We are reaping the whirlwind and shrugging our shoulders, "What can you do?"
On the adult level, radical individualism continues to sever ties between people and their God given authorities.
"Hey teacher! Leave us kids alone!"
"Tell my mother, tell my father; I've done the best I can; to make them realize, this is my life; I'm not angry, I'm just saying; Sometimes goodbye is a second chance."It's true that some communities abuse their moral authority or exercise it hypocritically and ties must be cut. But this has become an excuse to define the self apart from Christ's moral order. Like Joshua, we must be "strong and courageous" again and again and again (Joshua 1). Children do not respect what they can kick around, even if we think we're being their friend. Parents are called to teach the word of God diligently to their children:
These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).This is part of loving God and loving our children and our neighbor as ourselves. Rule apart from relationship will breed hatred. Relationship without any rules will breed disrespect. Rules revealed by God and applied in a loving relationship will bring order. Love covers a multitude of sins.
2 comments:
Dr. Heckel,
I agree with your points, but would it also be that the demise of character and moral behavior has occurred because of the breakdown in viewing society as a whole? Not only are the smaller communities (the family, the local congregation, etc.) weakened but also the idea of being part of a larger body politic? Such an absence in modern belief of belonging to a hierarchical body would lead to an unmerciful individualism. With respect to the body politic, each person has a place. To borrow the body metaphor, some people are toes, others the stomach, lungs, head, etc. Each is necessary though they perform differing functions. Thus, justice is to be dispensed by those in power, authority, and moral obligation to do so. However, everyone is to bestow mercy because of their understanding of the interconnectedness of the body and their responsibility to care for other members. While holding the body politic view, individuals see their negative actions as affecting others, but also see their need to perform positive actions for the benefit of others. If the view of the larger body politic is broken down, society’s behavior will also suffer at the smaller and more local levels.
Good point! It should.
But I'm afraid that when the larger body-politic is self-consciously promoting secularism and refuses to acknowledge Christ in the public sphere, moral education must come from somewhere else.
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