Tag Archives: symbolism over substance

Shining God’s Light into the Dark Realm of Politics

Posted on September 9, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Every politician wants to be liked, especially by the media. The apostle Paul speaks to this human desire in Galatians 1:10 as pleasing people comes naturally. Unfortunately, politics in America has become more about fundraising and less about serving a candidate’s constituents. On camera politicians make several promises in order to get elected, but behind the scenes most politicians do what their donors want.

Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice. 38 Pilate said to Him, What is Truth? On saying this he went out to the Jews again and told them, I find no fault in Him, John 18:37-38.

Jesus stood before the Governor on the first Good Friday. If He wanted to avoid death on a cross, Jesus could have turned to politics to save the world. As Pilate was trying to figure out the truth about the claims made about Jesus from Jewish religious leaders, Jesus appears to find spiritual strength from his time of prayer earlier in the morning. Meanwhile, Pilate used a political loophole to give the first century Woke what they wanted.

But it is your custom that I release one [prisoner] for you at the Passover. So shall I release for you the King of the Jews? – John 18:39

When the same people began to attack Paul for his own spiritual conversion, Galatians 1:10 serves as the rationale for his transformation. Politics is based upon convincing the masses that you care to garnish enough votes to stay in power. Rush Limbaugh referred to this as Symbolism over Substance, using the appearance of caring without altering their own lives. The only way shine light into the dark realm of politics is by emulating the life of Jesus and his call in Matthew 5:13-16. God’s love will pierce hardened hearts.

by Jay Mankus

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Virtue Signaling

Posted on February 15, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The public expression of opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate one’s good character or social conscience is on display every day. Virtue signaling comes in the form of interviews, podcasts, and social media posts. Members of the media, politicians, the socially insecure express moral correctness of one’s position on a particular issue. This practice is what Rush Limbaugh deemed symbolism over substance.

Since by your obedience to the Truth through the [Holy] Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren, [see that you] love one another fervently from a pure heart, 1 Peter 1:22.

Unfortunately, many modern leaders practice the philosophy “do what I say, not as I do.” When the camera is off, the true you comes out. You may be able to fake people for a while, but sooner or later your hypocrisy will be exposed. Yet, for now, virtue signal appeases the Cancel Culture from coming after you. This sad state of reality is so shallow, but it serves as a sense of justification and rationalization for many.

We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him]. 19 We know [positively] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] is under the power of the evil one, 1 John 5:18-19.

While Peter is known for being the most vocal disciple, the one whom Jesus appears to be the most direct in his writing style. According to John, grey areas don’t exist. You’re either living in the light of Christ or residing in darkness. Virtue signaling isn’t an option for Christians. You’re either in or out, with or against Jesus. When you let your actions do your talking, there’s no need for virtue signaling.

by Jay Mankus

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When Symbolism Serves as a Facade to Hide a Lack of Substance

Posted on February 3, 2020 by expressyourself4him

During Bill Clinton’s eight years as president of the United States, the phrase “Symbolism over Substance” was made popular by Rush Limbaugh. Using his weekly radio talk show as a forum, Limbaugh daily illustrated that the political and economic world are driven much more by image than by content. In a 2006 article written by Craig Smith, the Swiss America CEO uses a past public relations campaign to prove his point. Symbolism over substance was behind the mass medias attempt to convince America that a rally on Wall Street is right around the corner.

You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes], James 2:24.

In the past few years, a new form of symbolism over substance is taking center stage, the Woke Movement. “Woke” indicates a healthy paranoia, especially about issues of racial and political justice. The leaders of this movement use current events as a form of ambulance chasing to score political points in the media. Several democratic candidates running for president went on apology tours to confess past political decisions to convey their degree of woke-ness. Hollywood actors and actresses have joined in, serving vegan meals at this year’s Oscars to illustrate their concern about climate change.

For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from [its] works of obedience is also dead, James 2:26.

Def Leppard released their song Action Not Words in 1983. While the album title Pyromania and lyrics send the wrong message about action, most human beings prefer action, not empty words. This mentality leads to an inner desire, “don’t tell me, show me.” In the passage above, Jesus’ earthly brother writes about faith’s role in fulfilling what you believe. According to James, when you fail to live out faith via works of obedience, faith is dead. Thus, symbolic acts like going to church serve as a façade to hide a lack of spiritual substance. May this blog inspire you to become more than just woke. May the power of the Holy Spirit awaken your soul so that your faith becomes alive.

by Jay Mankus

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Beyond the Breakfast Club

Posted on February 2, 2019 by expressyourself4him

It’s hard to believe that February 2020 will mark the 35th anniversary of the Breakfast Club’s release.  This eighties film introduced five teenagers from five distinct social classes.  An athlete, brain, loner, prom queen and rebel are forced to spend an entire Saturday together in detention.  This motley crew clashes initially as stereotypes prevent each from opening up about who these students really are outside of school.

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent, Proverbs 10:19.

In today’s political climate, the Breakfast Club would never occur.  Three white boys and two white girls is not an inclusive representation of modern culture.  Meanwhile, skeptics would be turned off by white privilege, offended by anti Me Too Movement messages and disappointed from the lack of diversity.  When symbolism becomes more important than the substance of a movie, meaning and purpose get lost.

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends, Proverbs 17:9.

During an eighties weekend on AMC, I watched the Breakfast Club from beginning to end for the first time in years.  Beyond the plot of this classic film, I was struck by the courage it takes to get beneath surface level conversation.  Looking back on my own years in high school, I rarely took the time to fight through the BS.  I shied away from unpleasant encounters, afraid of what I may find or what others might recognize about me.  If you want to go beyond the breakfast club, press on until you discover what makes someone behave the way they do.

by Jay Mankus

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Astroturf

Posted on December 8, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Prior to 2009, astroturf was merely an all purpose athletic surface, created for professional sports franchises in cities with baseball and football teams in 1965.  However, as soon as the Tea Party spread to the local level, poising a threat to democrats, liberals and republicans in power, this term was given a new meaning.  Fueled by political talking points, this phrase was repeated countless times by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reed, attempting to de-emphasize the genuine nature of this grassroots movement.

Fast foward 6 years and the shoe now is on the other foot.  The recent protests across this country following the verdict in the Ferguson, Missouri Grand Jury of officer Darren Wilson are being organized by Occupy Wall Street.  Although the media is portraying these marches in metropolitan cities as a natural out crying of support, Moveon.org is active behind the scenes pulling the strings.  If the mainstream media possessed a conservative agenda, perhaps astroturf would make a comeback.  Yet, for now, viewers of the news must be careful of symbolism over substance.

If you are searching for leadership, results over time will reveal truth from fiction.  While force is the choice for many protestors, history conveys a different message.  Transformation is possible, but not with violence.  Rather, trend setters like Jesus, Martin Luther King and Ghandi displayed love to touch a generation.  Therefore, don’t let what others say influence the crowds you join.  When you see the genuine thing in person, you can distinguish astroturf from men of action.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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