Toward a True Humanity
In the seventeenth century, the first question of the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechism asked the perennial question of humanity: What is our purpose? What is the goal of life? The answer has been important for Christians in the centuries since: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. This answer contains much wisdom and points us to the true meaning of our lives. Likewise, sagely wisdom in Proverbs points us again in a direction we must heed at any age: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov 1:7). We will never come to a point where we have made it, but with God-centered teaching and wisdom, our true purpose can be realized and lived.
In line with this instruction, the apostle Paul urges older men and women to instruct and aid younger men and women (Titus 2:2–8). This is exactly what pastor and author Kevin DeYoung seeks to do with his little booklet Do Not Be True to Yourself. This work is a compilation of addresses that DeYoung presented to high school and college students upon graduation transitioning to their next chapter of life. In just over fifty pages, there is much sage advice not just for the young but for believers of all ages, for we are never too old to receive wisdom for life.
The Dilemma of Self
The first two chapters are devoted to conceptions of our selfhood and the deception of our perceptions. Our modern culture tells us—even screams at us—to “look out for number one,” to “do what feels good,” and to “be who you want to be” (DeYoung, 2–3). This is a fool’s errand. DeYoung mentions the problem of Esau as an example of someone who submits to his own desires and to whatever feels good at the time, saying, “Esau the skillful hunter was prey to his own appetites” (3). The milieu of our cultural moment is devoid of how God has identified us—in the dignity of his image and, as the result of the fall into sin, our corruption from head to toe.
“Our passions are broken, our reason is not entirely reliable, and our wills, apart from Christ, are bound to sin” (4). This is the dilemma that DeYoung seeks to address with young people and that the church seeks with all people in their communities. This booklet is geared to those who are making a big transition in their young lives. But like the perennial wisdom above, we are never too old to receive it. Only when Christ by the Spirit reigns over us are we then enabled to seek first his kingdom. Still, this seeking is not perfect as we still struggle against the fleshly desires of our hearts, even though we are renewed toward a God-centered path by the Spirit.
DeYoung uses the example of Joshua at the end of his life as he renews the covenant with Israel, now in the land. Joshua reminds them of their commitment to the Lord. The book of Judges comes next and proves the warnings at the end of Joshua (and those of Moses a generation earlier). DeYoung rightly notes, “What is hard—here and everywhere—is getting people to stick with Jesus” (15). Being serious with our faith should not waver with a graduation, a new career, or a promotion. “Serious here isn’t the opposite of joyful. It’s the opposite of casual. We need to be intentional in our devotion to God, purposeful in our obedience to him. We are high-commitment people in other areas of life, but for some reason not with our faith” (16). This is crucial for young adults moving away from home for the first time into uncharted territory, much like the Israelites in the newly conquered land of Canaan. And it applies to other times as well.
Choices
The choices that we make have consequences, either for good or for bad. Hopefully, the choices made with wisdom will last for our good. “The choice that matters most is actually a lifetime of choices” (17). In chapter 3, DeYoung zooms in on the church. Here, making a conscious choice for the regular cycle of worship and fellowship with the saints is in heightened view. Many have a defunct view of the church. DeYoung’s concern is for young adults soon on the move, away from home and away from the church they grew up in. DeYoung’s message: Quickly—get to church! “Too many Christians think they can have Jesus without the church” (24). Christ cannot be disconnected from his bride, his body (23). The great need for all of us is a rhythm, a regular ebb and flow, a regular liturgy of life that moves from worshipful rest, to work, and to restful worship again (25–28).1
Psalm 1
With the fourth chapter, DeYoung delivers a brief commentary on the first psalm. He also relates the life and story of Augustine in The Confessions, where the bishop of Hippo discusses the way of death experienced in his youthful, preconversion life, as opposed to the way of life he later received in Christ by faith. DeYoung concludes, “There is a way that looks like blessing but in the end leads to death, and a way that is more difficult at first but in the end leads to life” (31).
The Psalter begins with and introduces the whole of the psalms with these two ways—life or death, blessing or evil.2 “Psalm 1 shows us the blessed and happy way to live by outlining three negatives, one positive, two metaphors, and a conclusion” (33). The comparison is between the righteous wisdom of the blessed and the scoffing sin of the wicked. As far as the council of fools goes, “The progression is from casual acquaintance with sin, to participation in sin, to entrapment by sin. That’s how sin works” (34). DeYoung gets right to the heart of wisdom for the youth and for us all. Flee all temptation and pursue righteousness (2 Tim 2:22).
As for blessed individuals, their delight is in the Lord, realized through the law, or God’s will for our lives. Pleasing our Creator and Redeemer should be our delight. The words of Qoheleth, the Preacher, are fitting here: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl 12:13). The obvious metaphor from Psalm 1 is the enduring tree—planted by the Lord—and the good fruit it bears. In following the Lord in totality, we are blessed, because he is our Good Shepherd, in green pastures, by still waters, or in shadowy valleys low.
Close, But No Cigar
DeYoung’s last chapter also serves as a commentary of sorts, this time on Mark 12. Jesus is asked a question by a certain scribe: Which is the most important commandment? We should all be familiar with how Jesus responds. The scribe affirms the response as correct, and he is not far from the kingdom, Jesus assures the crowd. The whole of the law is to love God with everything and your neighbor as yourself (46–48).
DeYoung’s point in this chapter is that a person can affirm this truth all day long, as the scribe does. But he was only close to the kingdom. Jesus confronts him. The proposition is one thing, but it must penetrate to the deepest depths of soul and body. DeYoung summarizes, “To affirm the Shema was one thing, but Jesus was putting himself in the middle of the Shema as the object of love and worship (cf. 1 Cor. 8:4-6)” (54). Do you see how personal this is? Students going off to another state or country for college, adults heading into a new career, elders in retirement—Jesus beckons you to lean on him and trust him with your all: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt 11:28–30).
Kevin DeYoung has put together a terrific little booklet that can be helpful for years to come. At the end is an appendix that is a list of “twelve old(ish) books” that can greatly assist us in this life.3 This is a good booklet to buy several copies of to hold on to and give to those you love. All of us know people who are in the many various transition periods of life, and this booklet can be a needed reminder for those on the move to stay their focus on Christ. In times of uncertainty and the unknown, it is good to be reminded of the only sure and immovable One who for us is truth and life.
Notes
- He points out, “And in time what we do becomes who we are” (25).
- See also the Didache and the Epistle of Barnabas. Michael Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations (Baker Academic, 2007).
- Helpful titles range from Augustine to Calvin, Machen to Lewis (57–62).
©Charles Vaughn. All Rights Reserved.
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Charles Vaughn
Charles lives in San Diego county with his wife and four covenant children. He has a B.A. in Biblical & Theological Studies from Regent University and an M.A. in both Biblical and Theological Studies from Westminster Seminary California. Charles works as a Junior High history teacher at a Christian school in Escondido, CA.
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