I confess. The long-running television series, Jeopardy, is a favorite of mine. It stands to reason, therefore, that I happened to be watching that fateful Friday evening. Except for the infrequent airing of a couple of my favorite sports teams, and when I’m not otherwise occupied, I’m viewing Jeopardy.
So, it should come as no real surprise that Dianne and I were watching the show on the evening of June sixteenth. What about you? Did you miss it? Here’s what took place: Show host Mayim Bialik posed the question about The Lord’s Prayer as recorded in the Bible this way, “Matthew 6:9 says, ‘Our Father which art in heaven ‘this’ be thy name.”’ (KJV)
Here’s the “shocker” part as far as I’m concerned! First, the contestants on this program are handpicked to appear due to their brilliance. So, they are smart people. That’s why most people who watched the show that night was shocked. They were shocked that not one of these three very smart contestants was able to answer the question. The answer to the question, by the way, is “hallowed.”
It’s also a “shocker” because this line from The Lord’s Prayer is very well-known to both Christians and non-Christians. In fact, following the airing of the show that evening, both Christians and even atheists were quoted as saying they were shocked that none of the contestants were able to handle such an easy and well-known answer.
I must ask, should we be surprised that over the past several decades interest in traditional mores have been so altered that formerly Christian families have been disconnected from one another. This has happened in ways never thought possible in past years.
To state the obvious another way, the solid Christian family of the past is becoming less and less a positive influence in our local culture. In my view the culture is suffering for it. The solidarity of communities, schools and churches is certainly breaking down.
Referring to the Jeopardy contestants’ inability to answer the question about the Lord’s Prayer, Franklin Graham, CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, is quoted as saying the problem reflects a departure from biblical principles across the nation.
Has this departure affected our Garden of Eads? I’m assuming “not.” I can only hope and pray for the same for the communities around us. And, of course, we are equally concerned for our children and for their children, as well.
My assumption is that most of those who read this newspaper and this column are wishing for and praying for the same outcome for your children and grandchildren, also.
God bless you from The Garden of Eads or wherever you are when you read these words.
