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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
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