Abstract
The Biblical teachings on love has in the Old Testament, Song of Songs are misinterpreted and applied wrongly in the Western culture. The Song of Songs asks that we should love our families and not do anything that threatens their happiness. However, the Western Culture does not follow that, people do things that hurt their families. That is the reason divorces and happiness are common in that culture. This paper discusses familial and spouse love as applied in the Culture of the West and in the Old testament.
Furthermore, from the old testament we find that familes that obey the Biblical teachings on finance are happier and closer that families guided by the Western Culture. There are no familial divisions and neither are there divorces. The divisions absent at the time are common in the modern day society. That is attributed to the fact that families and lovers are keen on amassing wealth as opposed to finding ways of ensuring family happiness. The greed for wealth and richness has proven that the Songs of Songs teachings have been disobeyed and as a result, there is no love between spouses and their families. This paper explores the causes of the situation in the West.
Songs of Songs is a part of the Bible that basically expounds more about love and lovers life.We use the Bible as a guide to people's lives. Admittesly, this is the main part of the Bible that is used in sexual ethics teachings. The Christians use the Biblical doctrines to guide their activities and lives. In many Christian countries, the Bible is referred when making laws and policies that govern the citizens in those countries. However, in many instances, there have been failures in understanding the meaning of the intentions of the Bible teachings. Sextual ethics differes in some ways and still relates with what is reflected in Song of Songs. Some actions like polygamous are mostly linked to the level of wealth one has. There exists a different understanding of sexual ethics between what is potrayed in Songs of Songs anf the Western culture. It is thus, of significant to discuss both the similarities and the differences. Songs of Songs 4:10 “How fair is your love, my spouse? How much better is your love than wine? ”, shows nothingis superior to a spouse’s love, not even riches.
Financial status highly defines one’s life. Bible has many teachings on finance management Old Testament. For instance, in Proverbs 20:16 states, ‘Do not be the man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts, if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from you." That is one responsible application the Bible that advises people against borrowing and accruing debts. Those who follow it can live a comfortable life, living free of fear and accumulate wealth slowly but in a sure way. However, those that want to get rich quickly often get bad debts that they are unable to repay. Often, their wealth is auctioned making them poorer than they were previously. Evident in the western culture, well-up people tend to be ignorant on the ethical codes while at the same time forces the less fortunate in the commumity. The western culture has diluted the financial ethics, and there are poor marriage choice made. People no longer marry for love but for money and wealth, and that always leads to divorces and unhappy marriages.
Such problems can be avoided by avoiding debts or taking a debt that is necessary and worthy. For instance, taking a loan to pay for hospitalization and school fees are debts that are worth the trouble. That is because they are fulfilling and investments made towards those that you love. Also, failure of taking them up means that our loved one may suffer the unhappiness of being out of school or sick and fail to receive treatment that will restore their health. Therefore, if there are no other choices in addressing these problems, it is wise that the person takes a loan and works towards paying them. However, taking a loan that a person spends on luxuries such as the sexual misconduct is a bad idea. This is due to the fact that the loan adds no value to his life, but will cause pain and suffering if the individual is unable to repay it entirely. Also, if poorly spent, the loan will cause fights and discomforts among the person and those he cares for. Therefore, although debts can cause happiness, they can also cause unhappiness and suffering. That is why the Bible advises us to avoid them.
There is wisdom that is found in following Biblical teachings on money and debts. Living beyond our income is one sure way of going into debts and becoming miserable. The same issue is evident in the western cultures. People apply and finally succeed in taking loans they don’t have adequate points. In this regard, the most responsible thing to do when it comes to financial management is to live within our means. That way, we will lead a good life, free of fear of our lenders and what they can do to us if we are unable to honor our financial obligations. People are happier without debts and problems caused by debts or loans of any kind.
Further, Songs of Songs intones that we should not desire to heap wealth and riches (Songs of Songs 4:10). Instead, we should be willing givers, giving with a clean heart without expecting something in return. In the old testament, we are taught of giving to the poor, working hard to ensure that our families are healthy and obeying the law. All these serve to make sure that the lives of lovers are comfortable and happy. Taking a loan is a bad thing as it interferes with family assets and the happiness of people involved. That has been diluted by the Western culture as people have identifies ways of getting loans or frauding others. That results in resent in both the lender’s and loaned family. That is a teaching that all are familiar with; it asks us to help the poor and be generous with our help. It also prophesies blessings among those who are generous and cheerful in their giving. It also says that we will receive blessings if we help others willingly, without been forced or compelled to give.
The way of life in Songs of Song is related to the teaching discussed above in that both are teachings on financial management. They both guide on the godly ways of managing our finances and helping the less fortunate among us, as well as enabling God's servants to lead comfortable lives. In the Old Testament, there are many teachings on wealth management. Christians are told to manage their wealth and riches wisely, help the poor and give happily. Also, Christians are told to provide for their families, especially immediate relatives. The Bible teaches, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." The above is a teaching on both generosity and financial management result in family happiness and increases the love between families.
The depicted society by Song of Songs are, therefore, supposed to help others according to their needs and affiliations to the people. They are also expected to help the needy in the society without caring about their faith or the religion that they practice. Furthermore, we are reminded that families are our comforts, and we should help our family members at all cost. Then we will have led by example as our families and relatives will be happy and provided for, the needy in the society, as well as God's servants, will all lead comfortable lives. In Songs of Songs 7: 8 “Come,my beloved, let us go to the vineyards,to see whether vine flourish ” demonstates the teaching of hardwork, without the need to live our spouses in far off lands.
These above teachings show that God intends us to live comfortably. We recognize that all cannot be equal in the society. Hence, all manage the little they have wisely; help the poor and our families. He blesses those that are wise in the management of their finances and do according to his will. These, he blesses with wealth that is of him. Examples of such blessings of prosperity include a happy and contented family, health among others. It is in the fulfilling of our financial obligations that we get blessed with such. However, he cautions against loans for they have a way of getting things undone.
However, the western culture has diluted these teachings, especially the sexual ethics. We find that people are opting to function within their set laws and regulations and overlook the biblical teachings. For example, a majority of the population living in western countries and other parts of the world are no longer practicing Christianity, and neither are they trying to live within the Bible guidelines on finances and life. Consequently, a majority of them are frustrated and living unhappily. They have sought worldly riches as opposed to godly riches. Therefore, they don't live peaceful lives. They are unhappy, tired and in denial. They do not know what calmness of the heart and mind and neither are they bothered to try it. For that reason, their lives are marred by cases of unhappiness and bad luck.
All the above are seen in people whose lives are unhappy. There are some people who in pursuit of wealth, have accrued debts that haunt them as they are unable to pay. Therefore, their already accumulated wealth is auctioned to the highest bidder, and that way they loose everything. Take, for instance, a person who takes a loan to start a business; however, he failed to conduct a research of the business and its market before establishing the business. Such a company is unlikely to prosper. Therefore, he will not get any proceeds from his business to service his loan. He will lose both the loan money and any items he put up as security. In the end, he will be poorer than he was while taking the credit. That shows that the western culture is bent on worldly riches as opposed to the heavenly and godly richness and wealth.
Therefore, any person following the culture of the West is likely to lead an unhappy and unfulfilled life where finances are concerned. That is because the pursuit of worldly riches causes a person always to be on the move to the next big thing. He will lead a contemplative and anxious life as he does not know what awaits him the next day. Therefore, the person will be busy getting his securities together, and he will not enjoy a calm, peaceful and happy life. He is likely to miss many important things and events while he is chasing vanity. For instance, he may miss the growth and achievement of his children's milestones while he converses the world in search for more money, connections, an elusive but lucrative tender. Also, he may grow distant from his family and friends, such that they feel uncomfortable around him. God did not want people to be rich and be strangers to their families. That happens in the West because people work away from their families, thus distancing themselves.
Also, the teaching on giving and helping the poor and needy in the society is misused in the western culture as well as in the developed countries. The Bible teaches us to be mindful of others and help without been compelled. However, in the current society, people have adopted an individualistic and selfish nature that has made them selfish. Therefore, they seek richness at the expense of others. The sense of contentment is not is people. People are constantly looking for means to acquiring more even where they have enough for themselves and their families.
Some preachers have emerged who preach prosperity and richness. These individuals have mastered the art of telling people what they want to hear. They have also mastered the art of interpreting scriptures in a manner that is attracting more people to them, preaching what people what to hear instead of the actual Christian values on love as shown in Songs of Songs. People flock their churches to listen to these scriptures because it validates their actions, and the preachers are in the business for the money. Therefore, it's a win for both the congregation who need to hear that they are right in their actions even if they make mistakes, or acquire the wealth in manners that the Bible doesn't approve. On the other hand, preachers also benefit from the collections made by their churches, enriching them.
The above argument misinterprets the Bible teaching on asking to receive. Worldly preachers, in particular, are guilty of misusing the Bible teaching that the" Violent will take it by force." That particular teaching has caused controversy among Christians. There are those who have accused worldly preachers and churches of using the reading to mislead their congregation. That is because they encourage the group to be extremely aggressive in going after what they want. Through aggression, people have been hurt, either emotionally, spiritually or physically. Not reading and interpreting the scriptures correctly encourages people to harm others in pursuit of their dreams or any other thing they desire. Instead, the teachings of the Bible do the opposite; they ask us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, help them and be mindful of others. Also, we should do to others as we would want them to do to us. Therefore, it is wrong and controversial for scriptures as those described here to be misinterpreted and used to benefit a few people (McDonald 36).
The Bible and Christian teachings do not approve of the above practices; nevertheless, they are widely employed in the western countries and around the world. People have joined churches that advocate for prosperity and aggression while overlooking peace and love, as well as contentment with what a person has. As a result of these teachings, people have become selfish and daring in their lives. They are unhappy and unwilling to help others, some have gone far and desired what's not theirs, and try to take aggressively is as their preachers recommend that they should be pursuit what they want relentlessly. The teachings have caused some people to break away from their churches due to misinterpretation of the scriptures. Those who read their scriptures know that the teaching is not based on material wealth rather than the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Bible asks people to be relentless finding God and the Holy Spirit that it may help us in our day to day activities. However, the teaching has been made controversial, and people use it to ask other to enrich each other, be corrupt at the expense of others. That is wrong, and many sincere practitioners of Christianity are unhappy with the controversial use of the teaching.
Moreover, the western world has interpreted the lessons on financial management wrongly. That is because many people are selfish and individualistic. They are not concerned with the welfare of the people around them. Even their close relatives have become competitors in the search of wealth. Family members are turning against each other in the quest for wealth and power, instead of been united and been there for each other when needed. The wealthy or the rich in a family have more power and say in family matters and also in the society. That is not because they are good leaders but because they use their wealth to influence others into listening and do as they want. They make others feel unwanted and unfulfilled, as well as incapable of accomplishing anything. The competitiveness in these people ensures that they do not give others a chance at trying out their goals talents or even skills. Whenever a person that could compete and defeat them comes, they spare no resource in ensuring that the individual fails miserably and thus, they get to keep their crown. The individualistic nature of these modern day Christians has caused many to question the Christian teachings. That is because they do not behave as expected of true Christians, rather, they hide behind a mask of Christianity while they do not obey Christian teachings at all. The Song of Songs says we should love our spouses, treat them tenderly and be there in their times of need. The quest for wealth has undone that.
Heinecken (133), says we find that some people, who purportedly live by the Christian doctrines,give willingly. They argue that those needy amongst us are too lazy to work, and therefore, there is no need to help them. They feel bad helping them at times; get angry at people who attempt to help out. There have been instances where beggars have been embarrassed and severely humiliated by individuals. They are labeled as unworthy of help because of been lazy. What is sad is the fact that these people may be homeless and have dependents’, therefore, they need the help. However, when embarrassed that way, they may be driven into crime so that they feed themselves and their families. However, it is well known that some people have taken advantage of the help that people have to offer to the poor. Despite been physical and mentally able, they scheme ways of conning people by pretending to be needy and helpless. The creatively enhance their looks so that they look old, sickly and in dire need of help while in a real sense, they are stealing from the people helping them. That has caused many willing Christians to stop helping the poor because they do not know who is genuine and who is a fraud. For that reason, people have begun evaluating who is in real need of help and who is not. The task is very demanding and engaging, causing many to stop supporting those that they do not know who. That has made many genuine cases go unassisted as people do not want to be fleeced of their hard earned money.
Also, teachings on the management of wealth have been compromised and misinterpreted in the western culture (Hess 63). The Book of Proverbs has taught us to make sound investments for the future, as well to use what we have sparingly. Also, we are told always to be ready for whatever the future has for us. That means that we should be mindful of tomorrow and what it has to us. We should not be caught in the heat of a moment and use all that we have, with the aim of starting all again.
However, corrupt version of the same teaching urges Christians that God always provides for them. They should, therefore, live for the moment as God will see them through the days that follow. Sometimes, people think that the presence of God is enough to fulfill all their needs because He does not want us to suffer or lack.
The Bible states we should ask to receive and in the process, help the poor. The teaching is controversial in the modern day. That is because it has been used by rogue preachers to fleece their congregation through giving (McDonald 133). It is not bad to give to the church, as when we do that, we have given to God. However, it is wrong that some people take the naivety that people exhibit and fleece them, proclaiming that it is God Who gave them, and he shall bless them with more once they give back what they have. These are selfish individuals without the interest of other people's welfare because they do not mind for them. Instead, they lie and ask them to pray for more, and because God is their Father, He will provide for them. That is wrong because the actual teaching is that God blesses the work of our hands. We should toil so that we present him with something that he can bless, abundantly. Therefore, it is wrong to ply on the innocence of some members of the congregation.
The above arguments show that Christian teachings have been misinterpreted by a few selfish individuals to suit their needs. As a result, we are unwilling to help the poor let alone give willingly to the church and make good plans for our lives society (Heinecken 65) Those who have mastered the art of deceit are immoral yet are making people suffer through misinterpretation of the scriptures. Other individuals prefer satisfying themselves as opposed to obeying the church. They are being cautious. In the process, the poor and genuine people needing help do not receive any help. That is wrong, and it is time that we reverted to true Christianity. To overcome all these controversies brought upon us, we all should take the time to read the scriptures and meditate upon it. Only then, shall we identify the very convincing but rogue preachers among us, and live by the doctrines that God set for us.
All denominations affiliated to Christianity should find a way of ensuring that believers receive the intended teachings without been exploited or cajoled into doing something that they do not want. Cases of people been blackmailed with the hell fire to undertake an activity that they do not want are very common. Also, the spirit of aggression, being overly competitive, selfish and unmindful of other people's welfare have come us as a result of the controversial teachings used now. We all appreciate that God never intended us to be that way. Instead, he advocates for love and peace, as well as living a comfortable and contented life (Hess 45-48). That way we shall not be covert that which is not ours. We should revert to the true Christian teachings which are free from controversy and delivers teachings as God intends them.
Works Cited
Heinecken, Martin J. Basic Christian teachings. Philadelphia: Muhlenberg, 1994.
Hess, Richard S. Israelite religions : an archeological and biblical survey. 2007 (Grand Rapids,
Mich.): Baker Academic.
McDonald, James. Beyond Belief: Two Thousand Years of Bad Faith in the Chrstian Church.
New York: Garnet Publishing, 2009.
