Rollins Chapel
October 25, 2007
Dierre Upshaw ’09, Speaker
In two days I will celebrate my 21st birthday, which probably makes me wholly unqualified even to utter the word ‘wisdom.’ Nonetheless I obviously know more today than I did on my 20th birthday. I mean, whether it’s from the simple fact that I know more about techniques for various hobbies into which I’ve invested practice over the past year or the fact that I took a class on a subject about which I was totally ignorant prior to taking the course, I know more today about myself and about the world around me than I did not so long ago.
We live in a nation which cherishes, adores, praises, and desires youth. Without hesitation, 21-year olds proudly tell you their age if asked while 51-year olds are typically more hesitant and/or less willing to volunteer the information. Similarly, it is the desire of all those who are middle age and above to feel young again, a feeling that is often only achieved after they’ve had a little too much alcohol.
At the risk of crossing the line here in chapel, I think it’s appropriate to mention a television advertisement created by Dove (the soap company) not too long ago. In this television commercial were middle aged women who posed nude in relatively tasteful positions, revealing parts of their body that can be seen on television without any red flags from the FCC. Mind you, this is a soap commercial for a company whose intent is to sell soap it claims will compliment aging skin. Many of the networks on which the executives of Dove had hoped to run the ad, however, refused to run the commercial because – get this – they claimed the ad showed too much skin! Now, we can debate the tastefulness of this ad later, but realistically speaking, I’m sure that many of us in this room are surprised to learn that there is even such a thing as ‘too much skin’ on television after the many lust filled commercials that have aired. Thus, it is rather obvious to me that the real problem with the commercial is that the women were over 50-years old and we typically attribute beauty to college aged girls.
We live in a nation that loves youth and celebrates the acquisition of knowledge by young people. I mean, is not the focus and mission of Dartmouth to educate young people. We do not, however, value the acquisition of wisdom as much as we should because wisdom can only be acquired with age.
It’s odd, for example, that so many people look to my generation to solve the future problems of the world when the real solutions most likely lie in the nursing homes where we’ve, in some respects, imprisoned the true wisdom bearers of our culture. Sure, there are many reasons that family members choose to send loved ones to places such as nursing homes and I will not call this into question. What I will question, however, is the way we’ve treated the elderly in this nation. The opinions and desires of the elderly matter least, despite the wisdom they’ve gained and the knowledge about life that they have. The elderly are forgotten by society and their families and we as a society suffer because of the untapped wisdom that lies in the elderly.
We are a nation without wisdom; if you have any doubt consult J.I. Packer’s definition of wisdom as “. . . the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it. Wisdom is, in fact, the practical side of moral goodness. As such, it is found in its fullness only in God. He alone is naturally and entirely and invariable wise.”
We could certainly use people in government with wisdom, men and women who choose the best and highest ends with efficient means of attaining them!
I’ve often expressed my admiration for elderly people who possess a strong and unwavering faith in God and in His faithfulness. I am especially moved when, for example, I hear an elderly woman who may not have ever earned a high school diploma speak of her faith in Christ and her assurance that He is God and that His words are true and relevant. Hearing from someone for whom these truths are certain based on life experiences that have caused him or her to rely on God is so much more satisfying than the theological discussions I try so often to avoid. Sure, those of us younger people can learn about Scripture and sure we can come to believe that it’s true but as Chaplain Crocker alluded to last year, it is the trials of life that give us appreciation for parts of the Bible such as the Psalms, just as one example. Trials in life undoubtedly contribute to and increase our wisdom as human beings and trials typically come with greater frequency and increased magnitude as we age. As someone sitting in this chapel once pointed out to me, the typical Dartmouth student lives better than most of the kings who have lived, and most of us are quite ignorant to what true, genuine testing through trial is. I know I am.
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and [so] lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:13-18?)
It is proper to conclude by pointing out the inextricable relationship between wisdom and morality. It is tempting to conclude that the wiser one is, thus the older one is, the more moral he or she will be, but I will not dare touch this issue! I will say, however, that it’s impossible to deem the violent, unloving, impure, and immoral as wise. The standard and unfailing banner of wisdom to which we should cling is the unfailing and wholly moral wisdom of God. A wisdom founded in a love that is totally unlike the wisdom and the ways of mankind.
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden [wisdom,] which God predestined before the ages to our glory (1 Corinthians 2:1-7)
For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not [come to] know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
I consider it no coincidence that the writer of The Book James who instructs us against being double-minded and admonishes us to be humble is the same man who advises us about seeking wisdom from God, particularly in times of trial and adversity. The author of James is conveying that God will grant us wisdom if we are humble, upright, and willing to do what He requires of us. After all, how could God possibly freely and graciously grant to us wisdom which He knows we never intend to use? God requires willing servants to use His wisdom to the benefit of our neighbors and for His glory in making this world a better place.
To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen
