Idiōtēs – It Means What You Assume It Means

We had been touring the Agora—the traditional “market” of Athens—strolling within the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, who preached the Gospel amongst nice stone temples. It was right here that early democracy took root, the place residents debated and voted on how society ought to be ruled. However solely free males may take part—not ladies, not slaves.

If that inequality troubles us, we must always keep in mind that ladies in the US solely gained the correct to vote about 100 years in the past, and African People, for all sensible functions, solely about 60 years in the past, with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That’s inside my lifetime.

So, what does this must do with religion? Our democracy—as imperfect as it could be—is based on a ravishing superb: the assumption that our rights come from God, not from kings or governments. Because the Declaration of Independence places it:

“We maintain these truths to be self-evident, that every one males are created equal, that they’re endowed by their Creator with sure unalienable Rights…”

Our rights are God-given. And beneath our Structure, it’s we the individuals who’re sovereign.

Whereas in Athens, our tour information defined that those that didn’t take part in democracy had been referred to as idiōtēs—a time period for residents who declined public duty. It’s the place we get the phrase “fool.” In historic Athens, it referred to somebody who didn’t care sufficient to participate. A sobering reminder of how little issues change.

Just some Sundays later, our pastor quoted Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, who writes that we’re not solely the descendants of those that gave us life, but in addition the ancestors of these but to come back—and accountable to each. It was round Memorial Day, and my ideas turned to my father, a bombardier within the Pacific throughout World Conflict II. He flew harrowing missions, braving anti-aircraft hearth in a B-29 over a lethal enemy. I think about him shivering within the skinny air of 30,000 ft, combating for his life—to finally give me mine.

In Athens, it was awe-inspiring to climb Mars Hill, the place Paul preached concerning the one true God in view of the Acropolis, the place Athenians worshiped quite a few deities. Later, in Ephesus, we stood the place Paul preached boldly for 3 years—inflicting riots, defying Roman authority, risking loss of life to proclaim a message that may reshape the world.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds us that salvation is a present of grace, not one thing we earn: “For we’re His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God ready beforehand, that we must always stroll in them.” (Ephesians 2)

That very same grace—that divine empowerment—is on the core of our nation. It’s what impressed the Declaration, and what the Structure is supposed to guard. Preserving that legacy is what we owe to those that got here earlier than us, and to these but to come back.

Till subsequent time, keep protected, be courageous, and hold strolling within the gentle. The tune pairing is “New Promised Land.”

New Promised Land
We’re brothers and sisters
all of us come from God’s hand
we share each breath we’re taking
each lady and each man

Let’s get collectively, aspect by aspect
sharing our treasure, arms open huge
let’s get collectively hand in hand
constructing a brand new promised land

We will love one another
the invitation prolonged to all
we are going to hear freedom ringing
when everybody finds a spot to belong

Let’s get collectively, aspect by aspect
sharing our treasure, arms open huge
let’s get collectively hand in hand
constructing a brand new promised land

Now now we have seen days of sorrow
we all know we’ll see them once more
however I place confidence in tomorrow
you and me we’re one

Let’s get collectively, aspect by aspect
sharing our treasure, arms open huge
let’s get collectively hand in hand
constructing a brand new promised land