The Dead Ones (Part 2) - We're Copycats

Umpteen years ago, it was my youth pastor who mentioned something really odd in the middle of his message: about dead Christian authors who made more impact/sense than the living ones. Just an unrelated passing remark which knocked me still.

Now, don't underestimate the power of very young minds. Though I didn't have a clue what he meant because he didn't explain his statement, but I caught and hid it in my memory bank...intuitively understood that someday it'll make sense and be significant to me. There were many similar gems, but maybe for other times...

So what did he mean? I'll never know for sure unless I had asked him then.

Could he have meant one or more of the following:

1) Christians of old are more diligent in studying and seeking the truths because of their uncluttered lifestyles, less modern day distractions and temptations?

2) Because of (1), they could dig out more "first-hand" revelations than current Christians who are more spoon-fed?

3) Because they're gone, and if their works are still being read, it means they've stood the test of time whereas the living ones have yet to pass through that test?

4) Because their lives are complete, they can be "judged" by many. And if approved, their legacy will stand. For the living ones, their lives and works can only be judged and approved at their completion. And then finally their true motives and intentions are uncovered and laid bare?

5) Based on (3) and (4), maybe that's why many great names were only greatly honoured and recognized AFTER their passing. And their influence and teachings continue to spread, crossing borders of time, place and culture.

I once read this wonderful quote in Amazon.com (review section) from someone replying to a cynical critic of Augustine's "Confessions":

There's an old story about a man going in (museum) to see the Mona Lisa (painting). He stood in front of it for awhile and frowned and looked thoughtful. Then uttered "I don't like it. Nope. It's just not very good." The guard could not help but respond, "Sir, the paintings in this room are no longer being evaluated. These are the paints by which viewers are evaluated." The Confessions is such a book. You have not judged it, you have displayed a judgment of yourself.

Similarly, the lives and works of past champions have passed through tests of all sorts. I don't have to be wary, guess and double-guess their intentions and motives. They're history. THAT'S WHY I can find more encouragement from them than the living ones.

The scripture verse I intended to cite in my last post was (correctly guessed :) ) Ecclesiates 7:2 "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart."

You'll know more of a person in his funeral than his birthday parties! That's what it says. Funerals will make us think and learn about life, but birthday parties will not.

John Piper in his message "The Swan is Not Silent", said that he didn't really have anyone to pastor/mentor him. He said he had to go to "these guys". He meant Augustine, Jonathon Edwards, Luther, Wesley, Calvin etc. Carefully chosen champions of old. He would immerse himself in their biographies and writings, live and walk through their journals and diaries. They're his unseen mastermind group of advisors and counsellors.

I guess at the end of the day, we must realise and decide for ourselves the differences and the limits of what the living and the dead can and cannot do for us. Who we can model after. Not taking our eyes off the ultimate Model, who lived and died for us, the Champion of all champions.

We are all but copycats, imitators. Might as well choose well and do it well!