What does the song “Hotel California” and Proverbs, chapters 7-9 have in common? Part II

At the onset of this blog I want to provide a link where you can read Proverbs 7-9 and the lyrics of Hotel California. This is the LINK. You can click that after reading this post if you'd like.

Whenever, the Old Testament writers speak of a harlot, it is ALWAYS as a metaphor for Israel going after a strange religion or God. Infidelity and harlotry are metaphors for this tendency for mankind to try to find a way in which they can please God in a religious performance mode. In fact, The Prophet Hosea was told by the Lord to go out and marry a harlot as a prophetic object lesson. Hos 1:2  "When the LORD first spoke to Hosea, he said this to him: Go and marry a woman of promiscuity, and have children of promiscuity, for the land is committing blatant acts of promiscuity by abandoning the LORD." This is interesting in view of both Proverbs 7-9 and Hotel California.

In laying out the case for the title of this series, let's look at a couple of passages from the New Testament. John 5:39-40  You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me.  (40)  But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. and... Luke 24:27  Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures; 44-45  He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”  (45)  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. These passages clearly state that the purpose of the scripture was to point to Christ and the relationship to the Father he brings as the last, representative Adam.

Therefore, it is clear to see that any other reading of the scripture leads to religious harlotry. This was his beef with the scribes and Pharisees in John 5:39-40. With this groundwork laid we can look at Proverbs 7-9. That passage discusses in metaphorical language two women. One is wisdom, and the other is a harlot. In both cases, the women are calling to the naive. They are calling out to the young inexperienced that are easily influenced. Wisdom is representative of Christ, and the harlot is representative of religion. Wisdom believes that God has a good and merciful plan and purpose for humanity and religion provides a way to gain favor with God by human accomplishment, effort and merit.

Proverbs 7-9 is a prophetic admonition to Israel encouraging them to have faith in YHWH and not try to go the religious route to gain favor with God. Of course, the Apostle Paul explains graphically in Romans 10:1-4 that they did not heed this admonition. Instead of being content with the righteousness of God, that is the righteous decree of God (Gen 1:31,) They set out to establish their own righteousness via the Law. The problem with that was that the Law was not given to establish righteousness. It was a tutor to drive humanity to Christ Jesus, God's provision.

When one reads Proverbs 7-9 in its entirety, I suggest you do that by following the link above, or if you prefer, looking at it on your own, one finds that the harlot can also easily be a metaphor for the evangelical church, and its schizophrenic view of law and grace. The schizophrenic view of law and grace adopted widely in evangelical doctrine creates a religion of work based righteousness instead of faith based righteousness. As has been established many times within these blog posts, evangelical Christianity has gone off the rails when it comes to the pristine gospel of grace. While they verbally and vocally maintain that one is saved by grace, the reality is that with their schizophrenic view of law and grace, nullifies grace in the end in favor or works righteousness.

This is why I think that this passage from Proverbs 7-9 is so right on target for describing the evangelical church's approach to it's members and potential followers. "At the window of my house I looked through my lattice. I saw among the inexperienced, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking sense. Crossing the street near her corner, he strolled down the road to her house at twilight, in the evening, in the dark of the night. A woman came to meet him dressed like a prostitute, having a hidden agenda. She is loud and defiant; her feet do not stay at home. Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner. She grabs him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him, “I’ve made fellowship offerings; today I’ve fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you, to search for you, and I’ve found you. I’ve spread coverings on my bed—richly colored linen from Egypt. I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning. Let’s feast on each other’s love! My husband isn’t home; he went on a long journey. He took a bag of silver with him and will come home at the time of the full moon.” She seduces him with her persistent pleading; she lures with her flattering talk. He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare—he doesn’t know it will cost him his life. Now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words from my mouth. Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways; don’t stray onto her paths. For she has brought many down to death; her victims are countless. Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death." The husband that has gone on a journey is Christ, and she is left to her own devices. She is bringing the innocent into her chambers to have them join in her harlotry. It is important to remember that in the Old Testament harlotry is synonymous with strange religion.

This is getting a little long so I will stop for now with more to come later.

What does the song “Hotel California” and Proverbs, chapters 7-9 have in common? Part I

Answer: They both are descriptive of the institutional evangelical church. Proverbs 7-9 show a stark difference between church/religion and Christ who Paul said was wisdom. This is a long read but see if the connection doesn’t just jump out at you. More to come in future posts…. I will break it down.

My son, obey my words, and treasure my commands. Keep my commands and live, and guard my instructions as you would the pupil of your eye. Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your relative. She will keep you from a forbidden woman, a wayward woman with her flattering talk.

At the window of my house I looked through my lattice. I saw among the inexperienced, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking sense. Crossing the street near her corner, he strolled down the road to her house at twilight, in the evening, in the dark of the night. A woman came to meet him dressed like a prostitute, having a hidden agenda. She is loud and defiant; her feet do not stay at home.

Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner. She grabs him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him, “I’ve made fellowship offerings; today I’ve fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you, to search for you, and I’ve found you. I’ve spread coverings on my bed—richly colored linen from Egypt. I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning. Let’s feast on each other’s love!

My husband isn’t home; he went on a long journey. He took a bag of silver with him and will come home at the time of the full moon.” She seduces him with her persistent pleading; she lures with her flattering talk. He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare—he doesn’t know it will cost him his life.

Now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words from my mouth. Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways; don’t stray onto her paths. For she has brought many down to death; her victims are countless. Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.

Doesn’t wisdom call out? Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard? At the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand. Beside the gates leading into the city, at the main entrance, she cries out: “People, I call out to you; my cry is to the children of Adam. Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right. For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. All the words from my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse. All of them are clear to the perceptive, and right to those who discover knowledge. Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is better than jewels, and nothing desirable can equal it.

I, wisdom, share a home with shrewdness and have knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. I possess good advice and sound wisdom; I have understanding and strength. It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law; by me, princes lead, as do nobles and all righteous judges. I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me. With me are riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than solid gold, and my harvest than pure silver.

I walk in the ways of righteousness, along the paths of justice, giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. “The LORD acquired me at the beginning of his creation, before his works of long ago. I was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began. I was born when there were no watery depths and no springs filled with water. Before the mountains were established, prior to the hills, I was given birth— before he made the land, the fields, or the first soil on earth. I was there when he established the heavens, when he laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean, when he placed the skies above, when the fountains of the ocean gushed out, when he set a limit for the sea so that the waters would not violate his command, when he laid out the foundations of the earth.

I was a skilled craftsman beside him. I was his delight every day, always rejoicing before him. I was rejoicing in his inhabited world, delighting in the children of Adam. “And now, sons, listen to me; those who keep my ways are happy. Listen to instruction and be wise; don’t ignore it. Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway.

For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, but the one who misses me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her female servants; she calls out from the highest points of the city: “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she says, “Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave inexperience behind, and you will live; pursue the way of understanding.

The one who corrects a mocker will bring abuse on himself; the one who rebukes the wicked will get hurt. Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke the wise, and he will love you. Instruct the wise, and he will be wiser still; teach the righteous, and he will learn more. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”

Folly is a rowdy woman; she is gullible and knows nothing. She sits by the doorway of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling to those who pass by, who go straight ahead on their paths: “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is tasty!” But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

(Pro 7:1-9:18) CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

Hotel California Lyrics

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night.

There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself
'This could be heaven, or this could be Hell'
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face.
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (any time of year) you can find it here

Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes bends
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys, that she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget

So I called up the Captain,
'Please bring me my wine'
He said, 'we haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty-nine'
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say"

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face.
They livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise), bring your alibis

Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said, 'we are all just prisoners here, of our own device'
And in the master's chambers,
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives,
But they just can't kill the beast

Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
'Relax' said the night man,
'We are programmed to receive.
You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave!'

Songwriters: Don Felder / Don Henley / Glenn Frey

Hotel California lyrics © Cass County Music / Wisteria Music / Privet Music, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group, Red Cloud Music

Spiritual Abuse: Where is servant leadership?

Matthew 20:20-28 NASB "Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. (21) And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She *said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left." (22) But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They *said to Him, "We are able." (23) He *said to them, "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." 

(24) And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. (25) But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. (26) "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, (27) and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; (28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Servant leadership is not the norm in evangelical churches. Rather, it seems that the leaders lord over the people like the rulers of the Gentiles. There are a several reasons for this. All of it stems from erroneous reading of scripture and fallen humanities need to be adored and respected. In most cases, especially these days, it is impossible for people to demand the kind of respect and dare I say worship that so many church leaders demand. In fact, the only other place I can think of where it would be prevalent is in an authoritarian work environment. The fact is that the abusive leader needs power. In the authoritarian workplace the power comes from people needing to keep their jobs. In the church setting the power comes from what these leaders call the Word of God, the bible.

What more power could one ask for than the power of God? Having people believe that God is not pleased with disobeying leaders is the strongest motivation for compliance. It is exactly this phenomena that fuels spiritual abuse. So then, why is it that Jesus rebuked his disciples for wanting authority, and so many evangelical preachers feel that obedience and respect is their right? The main reason is that the erroneously insist on a legal constitutional reading of scripture. They incorrectly believe that the bible is the rule book for faith and practice for all time. They miss the most important aspects of interpretation, which is ignoring occasion, audience, and historical and cultural context. Yet, when one ignores occasion, audience and historical, cultural context, one does extreme violence to the interpretation of the text. The situation of the intended readers is of utmost importance in interpreting what the intended meaning and application was. However, evangelical pastors and other leaders completely ignore this. Therefore, it is the enabler of spiritual abuse. Let me further state that this spiritual abuse is rampant within the ranks of evangelical Christianity.

I cannot count the times that I have heard pastors quote Heb 13:17 CSB "Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." This gives them carte' blanche' to demand anything, and become an overlord. It is important to understand the historical context of chapter's 12 & 13 of the letter to the Hebrews. Here are the circumstances: They were Jews still obliged to the Mosaic Covenant as long as the temple stood. It appeared to them that God had two programs; one unbelieving Jews under the Old Covenant, and believers who were in Christ. They also knew that the sign that would tell them who the real sons and daughters of God really were was the prophesied destruction of the temple, and it is safe to say by Hebrews 9:8 that the temple was still standing. Almost forty years had transpired since the resurrection and the temple had not yet been destroyed, and the unbelieving Jews were trying to get them to abandon Christ and go back to strictly the Old Covenant.

The obedience that they needed to give to their leaders was to stay firm in their faith that Christ was who they had come to believe he was. It was not a general statement that made them obey every last thing the leaders told them to do. I am not advocating disrespecting leaders. However, it is not disrespectful to differ with them. One can differ with leaders in a respectful manner. There are so many concepts that are born from a misunderstanding of Hebrews. For example, Hebrews 10:25 refers to not forsaking gathering to appease the unbelieving Jews. They were being persecuted by the unbelieving Jews and the Romans.

However, beyond all of this, you have Jesus and his first century followers placing a redemptive focus on the scripture. They were overthrowing the legal constitutional reading in favor of a solely redemptive  reading. The legal constitutional reading of scripture had been proven to be ineffective by the failure of Israel to be able to obtain righteousness by the Law (Romans 10:1-4.) In fact, Paul pointed out that the law was a tutor to drive one to Christ for righteousness.

As long as evangelical leaders insist on making the bible a legal constitutional document these abuses will continue. That was the view of scripture in the Mosaic Covenant but not in the New Covenant. The focus of the scripture for the New Covenant should be a proclamation of the gospel. Properly proclaiming the gospel in a corporate setting should result in two basic things for the saints. First it should provide peace with God, and secondly, it should produce love for God. People should want to assemble and fellowship often to hear the gospel. Hearing the gospel over and over will assure hearts and promote transforming love within the saint. That will NEVER happen within the structure whereby leaders demand blind obedience, and the bible is first and foremost a book of rules and practices.