WARNING: Coarse language quoted below.
Today’s post comes from Ephesians 5:4 wherein the Apostle Paul writes to the believers in Ephesus:
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
For the moment, let us put behind that the entire campaign season consists of mainly foolish talk. Rather, let us focus on two things the scripture says are not for those who follow Jesus: Obscene stories, and coarse jokes.
Coarseness, unfortunately, has become part and parcel of our public discourse. Websites lacking all sense of decorum feature the f-bomb as frequently as and, but, and or (they’ll get you pretty far).
Last night during the GOP debate the proprietor of The Resurgent website, Eric Erickson, twice tweeted content belonging to the crude, crass, coarse category.
Trump may need a cigarette after Chris Cuomo gets off his knees.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) February 26, 2016
Tonight Donald Trump had low energy and short fingers. But at least Chris Cuomo gave him a happy ending.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) February 26, 2016
If these tweets were from Chris Rock, Patton Oswalt, Kathy Griffin, or Melinda McCarthy I would not be writing these words. They make a living through vulgarity and coarse joking even when providing social commentary.
Erickson, however, has this in his Twitter bio: Romans 1:16.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.
He is also co-author of the book, You Will be Made to Care: The War on Faith, Family, Your Freedom to Believe.
I won’t ask the question, “Which gospel?”
No time, no purpose
The writer of Ecclesiastes poetically lists a number of thing for which there is a time and purpose under heaven. Coarse, vulgar talk did not make the list. I doubt it was a close call.
I don’t know Eric Erickson though his Wiki page paints him as a near-lifetime conservative office-holder, blogger, radio host, etc. I personally do not expect any cleaner language from conservatives than from liberals. Political wings do not own moral speech. Jesus will not be painted into the corner of any party.
We should expect something different from one who claims Christ. Sexually charged innuendo is not helpful in public debate. Nor is it helpful to Christian witness. It’s a middle-school locker room attempt at humor. It’s weak.
Perhaps Erickson is a new believer and will grow beyond the need for such vulgarity. Plenty of strong, language exists on the narrow way without borrowing words from the trash can.
