by Mark Mayberry
Synopsis: In his editorial, Mark offers an introduction to the theme section of this issue of Truth Magazine which focuses upon "Challenging Casualness."
The December 2018 issue of Truth Magazine focuses on "Challenging Casualness" in the monthly theme section. What is meant by "challenging"? According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, when "challenge" is used as a verb, it means to "(1) dispute the truth or validity of (someone/something); Law: object to (a jury member); (of a guard) order (someone) to prove their identity; (2) invite (someone) to engage in a contest or fight; (3) make a rival claim to (a position); [usually as an adjective: challenging] test the abilities of (someone/something)…"
The Greek word prokaleō means "to call forth" or "challenge" (Thomas 4292). BDAG says it means "to call out to someone to come forward, frequently in a hostile sense: provoke, challenge someone." Louw and Nida define it as "to cause provocation or irritation in someone" (88.188). It occurs once in the New Testament: Paul said, "Let us not become boastful, challenging (prokaleō) one another, envying one another" (Gal. 5:26). However, the concept of issuing (or accepting) a challenge is often communicated in the Bible.
My frequent Sunday lunch buddies (Maren and Doak) and I engage in a verbal warfare before playing tick-tack-toe. "You are going DOWN," saith I. "No, YOU are going down!" is their rejoinder. Challenge games are fun to share with friends and family: In the "Chubby Bunny" Challenge, you compete with your friends to see how many marshmallows you can fit into your mouth while saying, "Chubby Bunny." In the Hot Pepper Challenge, you attempt to eat an entire hot pepper. My sister, Deborah, tricked me into this one several years ago, when she said, "Mark, would you like to taste a ghost pepper?" Having lived in Texas for well over 30 years, I thought, "Sure! I eat Jalapeno peppers for dessert. Although I've never heard of ghost peppers, how bad could it be?" Well. Pretty bad. She handed me a big slice, I ate the whole thing, and two minutes later, I began sweating so profusely, it seemed my head had turned into a lawn sprinkler! The Blindfold Lipstick/Makeup Challenge is (allegedly) a goofy and fun thing for young girls at slumber parties. Participants cover their eyes and attempt to apply lipstick, blush, eye-shadow, etc. to the face of their partner, usually with humorous results. One perennial favorite that we enjoy at our annual fall festivals here in Alvin is the "How Far Can You Throw a Raw Egg and Catch It Without Breaking and Getting Yucky Goo All Over Your Losing Face?" Challenge.
From a biblical standpoint, consider the challenge of Goliath: "I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together" (1 Sam. 17:1-11, esp. vv. 8-10, and also v. 26). During the time of the divided kingdom, Amaziah, king of Judah, sent a challenge to Jehoash, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us face each other." Note also Jehoash's humorous rejoinder, where he effectively said, "Son, you need to stay on the porch. Lap dogs can't run with the big dogs!" (2 Kings 14:1-14, esp. v. 8; 2 Chron. 25:1-28, esp. v. 17).
How do we properly apply this "challenging" concept? There are right and wrong ways of challenging oneself and challenging others. There is also a danger in challenging God and refusing to be challenged by Him.
We should challenge ourselves to "Grow Up!" in Christ (Eph. 4:14-16; 1 Pet. 2:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:14-18). Despite having achieved a certain level of spiritual maturity, we should "excel still more" (1 Thess. 4:1, 10). Let us humbly use our talents, each according to his ability, carefully avoiding the opposite perils of excuse making and excessive pride (Matt. 25:14-28; 26:31-34; Luke 22:24-34).
We should not selfishly or sinfully challenge others (Gal. 5:19-26, esp. v. 26). Let us avoid carnal attitudes (such as enmities, envying, and jealousy) that lead to carnal actions (such as boastfulness, disputes, dissensions, factions, outbursts of anger, and strife). In contrast, we should consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:19-25).
We should not foolishly challenge God. Remember the wisdom of Job's declaration concerning God: "Wise in heart and mighty in strength, who has defied Him without harm?" (Job 9:1-12, esp. v. 4). Recall Peter's warning about the folly of false teachers who presumptuously thought they could add to/subtract from/alter the gospel message of salvation: "Now, therefore, why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?" (Acts 15:6-11, esp. v. 10).
On the other hand, we should accept God's challenges. The Lord God issued a "Come now!" challenge to Moses (Exod. 3:10-12), to wayward Israel (Isa. 1:18-20), and also to distracted disciples (Jas. 4:13-17). Since God challenges us to serve Him, let us not make excuses as did Moses. Since God challenges us to repent, let us not show defiance as did Israel. Since God challenges us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, let us not be distracted as were the disciples whom James addressed. Since God challenges us to obey, let us not neglect the blessing and opportunity of "Today!" (Heb. 3:7-11, 14-15; 4:7).
What is meant by "casualness"? Depending on the context, the term "casual" or "casualness" can carry various meanings. When used as an adjective, "casual" is descriptive of that which is "(1) relaxed and unconcerned; made, done, or acting without much care or thought: a casual remark; (2) not regular or firmly established; (of a worker) employed on a temporary or irregular basis; (of a sexual relationship or encounter) occurring between people who are not established sexual partners; (3) happening by chance; accidental: a casual meeting; (4) without formality of style, manner, or procedure" (Oxford).
In many ways, we live in a casual age. Some of this is good and desirable. Modern lifestyles are more relaxed than formerly. Clothing is often designed for comfort. Business casual dominates in the workplace. Few of us wear starched shirts or regularly eat in a formal dining room. We enjoy our Lazy-Boy recliners, especially when kicked back into "third gear." Yet, we run the danger of becoming too casual, especially regarding moral, religious, and spiritual issues.
Although the word "casual" is largely absent from the English translations of the Bible commonly used by brethren, it occurs once in the New King James Version. Describing the idolatry of faithless Israel and her treacherous sister, Judah, God said, "through her casual harlotry," she "defiled the land" (Jer. 3:8–10, esp. v. 9). The Hebrew word qol, translated "casual" (KJV) or "lightness" (NASB), refers to a spirit of "frivolity" (BDB) or " lightheartedness" (Holladay). In other words, apostate Israel had a frivolous attitude toward faithfulness and a casual attitude toward idolatry.
While the terms "casual/casualness" are not oft found in the Bible, the concept is frequently communicated. We must not be half-hearted or manifest divided loyalty. Elijah rebuked wayward Israel for being non-committal: "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." Yet, the people did not answer him a word (1 Kings 18:21). Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth" (Matt. 6:24).
Let us not be lukewarm. The Lord condemned the disciples at Laodicea for this deficiency: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth" (Rev. 3:15-16). The Greek word chliaros, translated "lukewarm," refers to that which is "tepid" in temperature. (Thomas). Instead of manifesting a "Whatever!" attitude, we should be "fervent (literally, boiling) in spirit, serving the Lord" (Rom. 12:11).
Many today manifest a casual attitude toward alcohol, toward modest and proper attire, toward the demands of discipleship, toward choices in entertainment, toward speech and communication, toward the word of God, and toward worship. I encourage you to consider the good articles in the theme section of this issue of Truth Magazine. Read these articles carefully. Research the biblical passages that are cited. Reflect the spirit of the Bereans: "Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). Such an open and honest spirit yields great benefits: "Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men" (Acts 17:12).
BDAG = Bauer, Walter, Frederick W. Danker, William Arndt and F. Wilbur Gingrich. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
BDB = Brown, Francis, Samuel R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs. Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977.
Holladay, William Lee and Ludwig Köhler. A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Leiden: Brill, 2000.
Oxford = Soanes, Catherine and Angus Stevenson, eds. Concise Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Thomas, Robert L. New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries: Updated Edition. Anaheim, CA: Foundation Publications, Inc., 1998.
Author Bio: Mark and Sherelyn have labored with the Adoue Street church of Christ in Alvin, TX since 1998, where he serves as the evangelist and an elder. The church website is ascoc.org. His Bible study website is markmayberry.net. He can be reached at mark@truthpublications.com.
