Profanity In the Pulpit?
Recently my wife and I went to see the movie “On Golden Pond” which stars two of our favorite actors, Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn. It was a beautiful movie its efforts to portray “life in retirement years.” Probably it would be a classic if many words of “profanity” had been omitted, which added nothing to the movie but detracted much. Many others who have seen the movie agree on this subject.
Upon reflection on the experience, and hearing so much bad language thee days on most any television program, the thought occurred to me what would be the response of parents if such language were used in the pulpit? I can’t imagine any parent who would not voice strong opposition!
Some years ago a young Presbyterian minister, wishing to be “relevant”, did use some profanity in the pulpit by quoting from a letter, which a young man had written to his parents, who he, thought had gravely wronged him. Being warned by the Elders (officers) not to use such language again, he did not heed their warning. He used bad language again and, of course, the Elders were forced to ask him to resign as pastor.
Just a few years ago that magnificent movie “Gone With The Wind” had only one “bad word” near the very end of the movie. Many people object to that one word. What has happened today when men think that taking the Lord’s name in vain is all right or even expected by the average person in movies, television, and everyday conversation!
The basic question is “what does God think” when small finite man, who He had created in His own image and paid the price of sin with the blood of His Son, dares to take His name in vain and laugh when others do so? It is tragic indeed when man’s entertainment finds its expression in profaning the name of Almighty God, which the third commandment plainly forbids.