Musings of a Seminary Grad

  This is the final post in a seven-part series; see parts 1-6 first. Wrapping Up the Study We have come to the end of my blog series on respect. For those who have been following along, I have tried to build a case for differing categories of respect, defining each from Scripture. As I have said before, respect is important and even commanded by God; yet, as is the case with all issues, we must define terms biblically else we run the risk of “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9; Isa. 29:13). My personal observation has been that the biblical definition of respect has become blurred by cultural perspectives and generational values. We must restore the term and the concepts behind it to their biblical foundation if we are to live “live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Tit. 2:12). In this last post, I consider the final category of respect: imitation. I represent the three categories of respect as tiers of what I have named...

This is the sixth post in a seven-part series; see parts 1-5  first. The Study Thus Far For those who have been following along with this series, you will need no reminder that its subject is respect, what it means, and how it affects our lives as believers in Christ. As stated before, respect is important and even commanded in Scripture, but the biblical definition of this term has become blurred by cultural perspectives and generational values, so we must restore the term and the concepts behind it to their biblical foundation. In this post, we are nearing the end of the series, and today I complete the second major sub-category of respect: submission. Since this is the last post on submission, allow me to expound again on my process. I have made the case that under the term “respect” come three distinct categories with distinct requirements: Courtesy – respect for all human beings, which looks like valuing them as God does on the basis that he created them in his image an...

This is the fifth post in a seven-part series; see parts 1-4 first. The Study Thus Far In this series, I endeavor to show from Scripture that respect is important and even commanded, and further that there are three categories of respect with narrowing applicability: courtesy, submission, and imitation. I write this series because, in spite of the clear teaching of Scripture, these differing categories are not clearly understood, and as a result the word “respect” often becomes a banner for generational values rather that sound doctrine, causing unnecessary conflicts and controversies. Again, my main proposals for working through each level of the respect pyramid are as follows: All respect is ultimately for God Respect has three different forms or levels The different levels have different theological bases The different levels have different requirements I am still working through the five sub-categories in the second tier of respect, which I have called submission to author...