Why Would Obama Tell TD Jakes to Spend So Much Time Teaching About Submission?

Hm. I wonder. Think it has anything to do with another major religion that claims to submit to God? But which seems to promote the opposite? The crushing, oppression, and outright murder of people who disagree with them?

One line in a recent sermon of TD Jakes, that people must learn submission, made me laugh. I had to immediately correct him, people must "re-learn" submission. Children are, or should be, famous for submitting and being humble (as well as humiliated). Think this has anything to do with Jesus' saying that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like children? Luke 18:9-17 Matthew 19:13-15 Mark 10:13-16

What must be taught is NOT learning how to submit, but learning how to judge right judgement. Luke 12:57 And learning how to be humble. A lesson best taught by example, not by forcing others to be humble.

If Jesus was about "submission" then he would have done his best to create hierarchies, which we can tell he was NOT trying to establish on earth.

If Jesus was about "submission" then he would NOT have "spoken to the people in parables." He would have given them bunches of rules to submit to; he would have set up clear power structures with clear lines of authority. You see, the "problem" with parables is one must think for one's self. Even if you are listening to someone else describe them or interpret them, you are still required to think, at least a little.

However, if you think all I am trying to do is trash "submission" please let me correct you; dare I say "submit" to another interpretation. ;-) I think the word submission has its place but the word "humble" is really more telling about Jesus' teachings and message.

Checking the 4 Gospels in the NIV yields only two hits on the word "submi" (to make sure I find "submission," "submit," "submitting," etc…). Interestingly they are fairly close to each other, so here is the passage, Luke 10:17-20:

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."

[Jesus] replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Hm… you see, this is the kind of submission most people have in mind. What was it Jesus said to his disciples? Did he say, "I do not call you friends, I call you servants." Or did he say, "I do not call you servants, I call you friends." Look it up yourself: John 15:14-15.

Humility is what Jesus taught over submission. Let's analyze Jesus' saying, "greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Luke 15:13 Let's analyze it in terms of these words: love, humility, and submission. In terms of love this shows Love of God, and Love of Friends. In terms of humility, this is an act of humility towards God and friends. In terms of submission it is submission to the advice of God; it is NOT an act of submission to man. Therefore we see that Love is the strongest word and humility is also strong in this act. Although I guess I shouldn't doubt that some will try to claim it is an act of submission to the human will to kill, but I disagree that's the intent Jesus meant.

If you search Jesus' teachings in the Gospels for the word humble and humility you will find LOTS of references. And ask yourself this: Did Jesus humble himself to humans or did Jesus submit to humans?

Which words you choose is important. If you find yourself often saying "you know what I meant" or "what I meant to say is" you really need to do some serious introspection and figure out why you are being so inaccurate or hasty with your speech. If you think it's not important, I would like to remind you that another name for Jesus is "The Word!" Also note a proverb which stresses that words are important, Proverbs 25:11. Frankly there are far too many passages I could reference which stress the importance of words and being careful with your speech.

Similarities of the Extremists

One final comment. I have also heard Worshippers of Paul often claim how important it is to submit to humans. To me this is ironic since the people who make this statement tend to be the ones who most vilify the religion I hinted at in the opening paragraph. Ironically it's the Worshippers of Paul who patently admit it's submission to human authority, while the other religion makes the claim it's "submission to God." However, as with both of them, they both believe they are God's appointed to carry out the crushing, shaming, and subjugation of others who do not do what they claim is God's will; instead following Jesus' advice, ~ "just ignore them and leave them alone." See Matthew 18:15-17.

This piece has been placed in Similarities of the Extremists since it meets some of that criteria, in particular the last paragraph. However, it should be noted I am not necessarily saying TD Jakes is an extremist. Note I have written about him before and liked some of his other sermons.