19. Scriptural justifications for nonscriptural aphorism.

Scriptural Justifications for nonscriptural aphorisms.

There are a lot of aphorisms out there, and many of them are good, many of them are sentimental and false, and it's hard to tell how seriously to take them.  It might be fun to try to examine them in light of scripture.  Not even bringing in scriptural aphorisms that challenge the rest of scripture, e.g., the wisdom, so called, of Job's Comforters.

The aphorisms of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, like all aphorisms, don't yield to a straightforward up or down applications to one's own life.  One plausible literalistic interpretation of Proverbs is "everything in here is true; Or not."  But even Proverbs can be properly interpreted by a wise teacher.   Just because they are difficult to pin down, we still need to find what they mean and how to receive them.

The Faux Circus quote above is not an old saying, but still is one we can track to scripture.
The theme of being faithful to the greatest of all Causes, or even just having the virtue of steadfastness, is throughout the scriptures.  THROUGH OUT THE SCRIPTURES.  Ok, a few, just to sample.

2 Peter 1:5-7English Standard Version (ESV) 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Good so far.  What about the opponents?  I can't think of a proof text, but it certainly seems like it could be true, a true description of the state of those who are idealists among bureaucrats.  They might say, "If we idealists don't hold our ground, the insipid bureaucrats will ruin everything; we are the only thing holding back the mudslide of mediocrity."

A possible application of this aphorism could be Elijah taking on the prophets of Baal, or Gideon's father defending Gideon's destruction of the Ashurah pole, "Let the god defend himself."

Belated note.  I found this: As I reflect on God’s work in the lives of faithful brothers like Titus Matthews, I’m reminded of G. K. Chesterton’s quip in The Everlasting Man about the strength of Christianity these last 2,000 years. “Time and again,” Chesterton noted, “the Faith has to all appearances gone to the dogs.” But each time, “It was the dog that died.”

Or to use the words of Christ: “Take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

      --Dan Olson, from this link