WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.960 There are a lot of reasons to be excited about this book. 00:00:03.480 --> 00:00:18.679 I think the main reason I'm excited to do it here with us is that I hope you will see over the next couple of months that this book is extremely relevant, particularly for this time and place. 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:29.539 Now, God's Word is always relevant across the ages, but I think for a lot of reasons this book is particularly relevant for people like us living in a place like Washington, D.C. 00:00:30.760 --> 00:00:33.600 If you ask what the book's about, you can answer it a couple of ways. 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:37.380 In the most general sense, the book is about this. 00:00:38.600 --> 00:00:39.880 Don't be fooled by the title. 00:00:40.880 --> 00:00:46.079 Even though we call it the book of Daniel, it's actually a story of God and God's faithfulness. 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:55.500 And it's a book that makes clear again and again and again that God is able to be in control of history and thus to work His purposes to completion. 00:00:55.500 --> 00:01:05.900 And so in some ways it's a book that points forward, ahead of itself, to the coming of Jesus Christ and the ultimate fulfilling of God's redemptive purposes in the world. 00:01:05.900 --> 00:01:17.620 As we zoom in, however, we see that, as I said a moment ago, this book is a story and trying to answer this question. 00:01:18.100 --> 00:01:19.860 And here's really the question of the book. 00:01:19.859 --> 00:01:35.819 Is it possible to be faithful to God and to thrive in a culture that is hostile to your beliefs? 00:01:35.819 --> 00:01:45.379 Is it possible to follow God faithfully and to thrive in a culture that is largely hostile to your beliefs? 00:01:45.459 --> 00:01:48.059 That's the question of this book. 00:01:48.099 --> 00:01:52.060 And it's the question that we're going to follow like a thread over the next few weeks. 00:01:52.060 --> 00:02:01.920 For those of us who are Christians, I think this is a question that we have to answer every single day of our lives in a place like Washington, D.C. 00:02:02.540 --> 00:02:12.400 For those of us who are not Christians who are here, I would imagine that this is part of the reason you hesitate as you think about Christianity. 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:15.400 Because it would seem that the answer is unequivocally no. 00:02:15.400 --> 00:02:30.719 And yet, as we look at this book, as we'll begin to see in chapter 1, we begin to see that, in fact, the answer to this question is, yes, it is possible to be faithful and to thrive in a culture that's hostile to your beliefs. 00:02:30.759 --> 00:02:32.159 And we're going to begin to see how. 00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:36.780 So what I'd like to do tonight is to begin to walk us through the events just of chapter 1. 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:38.200 We're not going to get past chapter 1. 00:02:38.199 --> 00:02:51.539 And so we're going to begin to walk through the beginning of this story, and then I'm going to draw out a couple of implications to help us understand the connection between this 6th century story, 6th century B.C. story, and our lives today. 00:02:51.839 --> 00:02:52.299 Let's pray. 00:02:54.319 --> 00:03:00.000 Our Father, we thank you for many things, but chiefly this moment we thank you for your word. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:14.199 We thank you that it's not merely ink on paper, nor is it merely the wisdom of human beings being echoed, but rather, Lord, we have an opportunity through your word to hear your voice. 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:21.780 We pray that your written word would reveal to us your living word, that we would see him face to face. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:28.219 We pray this in his name, by your grace, Lord. 00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:29.139 Amen. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:34.699 So Daniel chapter 1, it begins with a bang. 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:37.659 The unthinkable happens right at the start. 00:03:38.819 --> 00:03:45.340 King Nebuchadnezzar is the king of a massive nation state centered at Babylon. 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:49.400 And he has moved against Judah, God's people. 00:03:50.020 --> 00:03:52.180 And Judah falls. 00:03:52.180 --> 00:03:59.420 And their king, the king of God's people, the Jews, Jehoiakim, is delivered into Nebuchadnezzar's hand. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:06.860 So at this point, any reasonable person would expect that the next step would be widespread slaughter. 00:04:06.860 --> 00:04:10.920 The Babylonians are going to sweep in and wipe out the Israelites. 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:14.519 But in fact, Nebuchadnezzar has a brilliant plan in mind. 00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:16.519 So he goes to his officials. 00:04:16.519 --> 00:04:21.259 And he says, I want you to go into and among the people of Israel. 00:04:21.340 --> 00:04:24.860 And I want you to bring back with you the best and the brightest. 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:28.240 In Babylon, looking good was very important. 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:30.879 So I want you to find attractive people. 00:04:31.340 --> 00:04:34.379 I want you to find nobility, people of royal blood or noble blood. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:38.500 I want you to find people who are wise, who are highly intelligent. 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:40.020 People who are well educated. 00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:41.340 People who are successful. 00:04:41.520 --> 00:04:42.360 People who are popular. 00:04:42.680 --> 00:04:45.800 People who are influential and have wide circles of influence. 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:47.560 People who other people respect. 00:04:47.560 --> 00:04:49.379 The best and the brightest. 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:51.079 And I want you to bring them to Babylon. 00:04:52.220 --> 00:04:55.819 And I'm going to enroll them in Babylon University. 00:04:56.540 --> 00:05:01.920 And they're going to spend three years in an intensive study program in all things Babylonian. 00:05:01.980 --> 00:05:03.180 They're going to read all of our literature. 00:05:03.620 --> 00:05:04.680 They're going to learn all of our music. 00:05:04.840 --> 00:05:05.759 They're going to learn our science. 00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:06.699 They're going to learn our religion. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:08.519 They're going to learn our history, our mythology. 00:05:09.160 --> 00:05:11.160 Everything for three years. 00:05:11.500 --> 00:05:14.120 And at the end of that time, they're all going to stand before me. 00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:16.100 Now, what's the idea behind this? 00:05:16.620 --> 00:05:17.420 It's quite brilliant. 00:05:19.340 --> 00:05:24.180 It's a lot of money and a lot of bloodshed to wipe out a nation. 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:31.259 Much, much easier and much more beneficial to you and your culture if you can assimilate them. 00:05:31.840 --> 00:05:32.560 How do you do that? 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:34.120 Get the best and the brightest. 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:36.920 Thoroughly acculturate them. 00:05:37.420 --> 00:05:40.399 And then put them up front as role models for everyone else to see. 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:44.739 If all goes well, in a generation or two, there will be no more Israel. 00:05:45.719 --> 00:05:46.919 There will only be Babylon. 00:05:47.899 --> 00:05:48.919 So this is the plan. 00:05:49.039 --> 00:05:49.639 It's quite brilliant. 00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:50.919 And it is enacted. 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:53.799 And at this point, we meet Daniel and his friends. 00:05:53.919 --> 00:05:57.139 They are among those who are chosen and brought into Babylon. 00:05:57.519 --> 00:06:02.319 And you have to imagine, from Daniel's point of view, walking into Babylon for the first time, looking around. 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:06.659 This, at the time, is the biggest city in the known world. 00:06:06.660 --> 00:06:11.000 It's bigger than anything he's ever seen before. 00:06:11.800 --> 00:06:15.439 It's the most technologically and scientifically advanced city in the world. 00:06:16.860 --> 00:06:19.860 Beyond that, it was absolutely full of idols. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:26.000 Roughly a thousand temples at this point in history. 00:06:27.020 --> 00:06:36.600 And everywhere you looked, everywhere, the walls, the ceilings, the doorposts, the beams, everything was covered in idols and references to Babylonian gods. 00:06:36.660 --> 00:06:50.580 And yet, even under that, under the widespread polytheism, there was a core ethic that summarizes the Babylonian way of life, the Babylonian mentality. 00:06:50.940 --> 00:06:52.800 And we read that in Genesis chapter 11. 00:06:53.340 --> 00:06:57.260 As people set out to build this great city of Babylon, they say, 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:02.500 Let us build a great city and let us make a name for ourselves. 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:05.819 That's the core of the Babylonian ethic. 00:07:07.139 --> 00:07:12.279 It's a city built to point to the glory of human beings. 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:18.680 And Nebuchadnezzar not only enrolls Daniel and his friends in the University of Babylon, 00:07:18.939 --> 00:07:20.899 he takes a further step. 00:07:20.980 --> 00:07:22.259 He actually renames them. 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:26.540 Now, we think about that, and renaming doesn't seem like a big deal to us. 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:28.500 Not so in the ancient Near East. 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:33.399 In the ancient Near East, your name was very closely tied to your identity. 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:41.879 And if you know anything about their names, Daniel and his friends all have names that point to and make reference to their God, 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:43.980 the God of the Bible, Yahweh, Elohim. 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:51.480 Nebuchadnezzar renames them and gives them Babylonian names that all make reference to the Babylonian gods. 00:07:51.480 --> 00:07:56.879 And thus, the process of acculturation begins. 00:07:56.980 --> 00:08:03.420 And what we see is, he's actually exerting a tremendous pressure on Daniel and his friends to conform. 00:08:05.280 --> 00:08:12.500 So this is the first point I want to draw out as we're considering this story and what it has to say to us. 00:08:12.520 --> 00:08:15.960 And that is to take a moment to consider the pressure of conformity. 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:21.319 The immense pressure of conformity that exists. 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:27.859 It's a sociological reality that when you live in any kind of culture or people group, 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:29.819 in every people group, in every society, 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:35.299 there's a powerful pressure to conform to the norms of the group, whatever those norms may be. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:43.759 One of the best examples of this comes from the study conducted by Solomon Ash in 1951, 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:45.539 the Ash Line Study. 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:51.259 So in 1951, Solomon Ash sets out to measure the pressure of conformity. 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:57.860 And he selects some subjects and he brings them in and he shows them a picture of some lines. 00:08:57.960 --> 00:08:58.779 So can we bring that up? 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:01.439 So he shows them an image much like this. 00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:05.179 And he has people sit across the front row in a classroom. 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:06.799 He puts this up on the screen. 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:09.740 And he says, okay, see the line on the left? 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:13.620 Now I want you, each of you, to look at the three lines on the right, 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:17.120 pick which one of these lines is the same length as the line on the left, 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:18.759 and then I want you to tell me your answer. 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:22.580 What's the answer? 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:25.240 You sure about that? 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:29.720 I told somebody else I hope they get it right, 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:31.759 because that's going to really ruin the illustration if they don't. 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:35.399 It's definitely most obviously C. 00:09:35.460 --> 00:09:36.000 You're all correct. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:38.299 So he brings in a bunch of participants. 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:41.480 He sits them down in the first few rounds. 00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:43.419 He lets everybody answer for themselves. 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:44.240 Everybody looks. 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:47.659 Everybody says, see, 99% of participants get it right. 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:50.159 I don't know what's going on with that 1%, 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:53.120 but 99% of the people get it right, okay? 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:54.460 Then he changes it up. 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:56.960 Then he brings in a whole new slate of participants. 00:09:57.139 --> 00:10:00.879 But this time, there's only one real participant who doesn't know what's going on. 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:04.220 Everybody else in the room is a confederate. 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:06.700 They're in on it, and they're working with the researchers. 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:08.160 And so what happens? 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:10.440 This time, they begin down here. 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:13.879 Here's the solitary participant who doesn't know what's going on. 00:10:14.040 --> 00:10:15.759 They start at this end, and what happens? 00:10:16.700 --> 00:10:22.840 A, A, A, A, A, A, A, all the way down. 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:24.100 What happens? 00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:32.840 75% of the time, the participant changes their answer. 00:10:33.800 --> 00:10:35.540 They knowingly give the wrong answer. 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:38.399 75, three out of four people. 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:40.200 Ash is mystified. 00:10:40.279 --> 00:10:40.899 How does this happen? 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:42.240 So he and the researchers, they go, 00:10:42.300 --> 00:10:46.279 and they interview all these kind of hapless participants who weren't in on the joke. 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:47.320 Why did you change your answer? 00:10:47.500 --> 00:10:48.300 You knew it was C. 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:49.240 Why did you say A? 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:52.560 The answers fell into two primary groups. 00:10:52.680 --> 00:10:54.580 The first group of people said, 00:10:54.680 --> 00:10:57.700 well, I guess I just assumed that everybody else knew something I didn't. 00:10:58.860 --> 00:11:03.740 So even though it looked like C, I just assumed they knew something I didn't. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:08.019 The other group, a little more prevalent, maybe a little more honest, said, 00:11:08.019 --> 00:11:11.379 I just really, really, really wanted to fit in. 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:14.039 I didn't want to look stupid. 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:18.220 So you have three out of four people knowingly giving the wrong answer. 00:11:18.319 --> 00:11:18.579 Why? 00:11:18.699 --> 00:11:19.340 And here's the point. 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:24.379 Because they would rather give the wrong answer and fit in 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:28.279 than give the right answer and risk social rejection. 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:31.240 That is the power of social conformity. 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:35.139 So when you live in a culture surrounded by people who disagree with 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:38.319 or even oppose your beliefs, your values, 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:41.379 your assumptions about the nature of reality, your priorities, 00:11:41.559 --> 00:11:44.939 the pressure to conform can be a very, very hard thing to resist. 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:48.840 And so this is what Daniel and his friends are facing at Babylon U. 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:51.840 And it exists just as powerfully today. 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:56.659 And in fact, if you want to look around for examples of where this kind of thing exists, 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:59.220 you need not look any further than academia. 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:01.860 I mean, for those of you who are in academia, 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:03.559 you teach or you work or you're administrators, 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:06.239 you know that the pressure is immense. 00:12:06.959 --> 00:12:09.039 Nicholas Kristof, who is by no means a Christian, 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:11.979 he's written many articles that are disparaging against Christians, 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:13.839 nevertheless, earlier this year, 00:12:14.699 --> 00:12:17.519 wrote two pieces in the New York Times, at least two, maybe more, 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:21.259 where he essentially calls out progressive liberals, 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:25.139 what he considers to be his kind of group. 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:28.619 He wrote a couple of articles basically calling them out 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:33.860 and criticizing them for promoting all kinds of diversity on campuses except ideological. 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:37.840 And he warns that universities are becoming echo chambers 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:42.060 and hostile environments for anyone who disagrees, especially for Christians. 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.159 And here's what he says. 00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:43.500 He says, 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:56.559 So Christians in academia face enormous pressure to conform. 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:58.700 You may be familiar with John Lennox, 00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:01.779 who's a brilliant mathematician and philosopher of science. 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:03.839 He's at Oxford, top of his field. 00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:07.799 He relates a story about when he was a young student 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:11.399 and he found himself seated next to a Nobel laureate. 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:15.500 And he engages this man in a conversation about God. 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:18.419 And he's later invited to come back to this man's quarters 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:20.459 with some other distinguished professors 00:13:20.459 --> 00:13:22.819 to have coffee and continue the conversation. 00:13:22.959 --> 00:13:26.620 And when everybody's settled and Lennox is looking around 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:28.620 and realizing he's the only student in the room, 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:31.620 the laureate fixes him with his eyes and asks him this, 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:36.740 Do you intend to make a serious career of science? 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:38.620 Lennox says, 00:13:39.060 --> 00:13:40.060 Yes, I do. 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.399 The man responds, 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:44.500 If you want to make a serious career in science, 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:47.340 you must give up these childish ideas of God. 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:52.240 They will only disadvantage you intellectually among your peers. 00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:54.759 See, this is the prevailing assumption 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:56.279 that in order to be a person of faith, 00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:58.460 you must be intellectually disadvantaged. 00:13:59.600 --> 00:13:59.820 Right? 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:02.000 There's a growing bias in our society 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:06.720 that being an intelligent, sophisticated, culturally savvy person 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:08.480 means being post-religious. 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:09.700 Right? 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.679 You can be spiritual, 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:11.960 but to be religious, 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:13.620 a member of any kind of organized religion 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:15.980 rooted in any kind of tradition, 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:17.759 that that is for the weak, 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.539 it is for the backward, 00:14:18.659 --> 00:14:19.379 it is for the ignorant, 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:23.960 but it is not for sophisticated intellectuals. 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:27.780 It is not for truly open-minded progressives. 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:31.400 It is only for the dregs of society. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:35.460 There's no basis, of course, in reality for this bias. 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:37.720 I mean, many of the most brilliant minds today 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:41.600 and throughout history are or have been people of faith, 00:14:41.780 --> 00:14:42.900 many of them Christians, 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.680 but the bias exists nonetheless. 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:47.159 The point is this, 00:14:47.219 --> 00:14:48.799 when you live as a person of faith 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:50.039 in such a culture, 00:14:50.239 --> 00:14:51.439 with such biases, 00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:54.899 it can seem as though your entire life 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:59.000 is lived as a never-ending ash line experiment. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:01.899 It can feel like your entire life 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:04.039 is lived sitting in that chair. 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:06.980 And you know, the power of social media, 00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:08.340 there's many great things about it, 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:10.220 but it enhances this effect 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:12.240 because you know instantaneously 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:14.820 what tens of thousands of people around you 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:16.120 think about everything. 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:19.840 And so it's not just eight people saying, 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.860 eh, eh, eh, 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:22.460 it's ten times, ten times, 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:24.360 ten thousand people saying, 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.879 eh, eh, eh, eh, eh. 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:26.899 And it gets to you, 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.799 and what do you say? 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:29.919 The pressure is tremendous. 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:31.439 You buckle under it. 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:35.059 So in a culture like ours, 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:36.039 we have to ask, 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:39.259 to what extent are our convictions, 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:39.979 our morals, 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:40.639 our assumptions, 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.439 our ethics, 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:43.299 to what extent are those driven 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:44.779 by deeply held principles, 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.939 and to what extent are they driven 00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:47.839 by peer pressure? 00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:50.839 Right, do we hold beliefs, 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:51.899 values, assumptions 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:53.399 based on careful, 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.959 prayerful discernment, 00:15:54.959 --> 00:15:57.059 or have we simply adopted 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:59.119 the ideas of people around us 00:15:59.119 --> 00:16:01.979 so that we will fit in, 00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:04.079 or because we assume 00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:05.699 they must know something we don't? 00:16:07.219 --> 00:16:08.919 So this is the first point to see. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.419 It's the pressure of conformity. 00:16:10.979 --> 00:16:11.739 Daniel and his friends 00:16:11.739 --> 00:16:13.699 are facing massive pressure 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:15.699 to conform to Babylonian culture, 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:16.420 so the question is, 00:16:16.640 --> 00:16:17.600 what do they do? 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:19.820 How can they possibly sustain it? 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:22.500 And the answer comes through this. 00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:24.460 We see that they begin to adopt 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:27.759 the practice of a faithful presence. 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.820 They adopt a posture 00:16:30.820 --> 00:16:32.980 toward their circumstances 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:35.160 of faithful presence. 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:35.940 This is a theme 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:37.500 that we will continue to look at, 00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:39.160 but we begin to see it right away 00:16:39.160 --> 00:16:39.920 in chapter one. 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:42.199 So among the Jews 00:16:42.199 --> 00:16:42.979 who find themselves 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:45.259 in this situation, 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.120 they're in exile, 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:47.439 they've been taken into Babylon, 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:49.159 they don't know when it's going to be over. 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:49.899 Among the Jews, 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:52.279 there were several groups of people 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:55.079 and grouped by how they responded 00:16:55.079 --> 00:16:55.979 to their situation. 00:16:57.979 --> 00:16:59.559 The first group of people said, 00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:01.539 well, we don't know how long 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.199 we're going to be here, 00:17:02.339 --> 00:17:06.460 but surely any day God's going to rescue us. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:11.240 But the pressure to assimilate, 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:13.039 the pressure to conform is so great 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:14.600 that the only way we can resist it 00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:16.880 is by completely separating ourselves. 00:17:17.600 --> 00:17:19.440 So it was a fortification mentality. 00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:21.360 We can't have any contact 00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:22.019 with the Babylonians. 00:17:22.100 --> 00:17:23.160 We can't have any intermingling 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:23.900 with the Babylonians. 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:24.840 We have to keep ourselves 00:17:24.840 --> 00:17:25.840 entirely separate. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.460 We have to build walls. 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:28.180 We have to do everything we can 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:29.319 to keep our culture pure 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:31.460 and wait for God to rescue us. 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:33.220 That was the first group. 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:35.480 The second group, 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:37.819 the second group of people 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:39.339 were sort of in the opposite mentality. 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:40.839 They said, 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.259 well, we don't know how long 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:42.880 we're going to be here, 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:44.539 but if we want to have any chance 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.319 at having friends, 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:47.480 any chance at having a career, 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:49.480 any chance at thriving on any level, 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:51.039 any chance at surviving this, 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:52.360 we have to make accommodations. 00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:53.819 We have to compromise. 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:56.059 We have to make this work. 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.299 And over time, 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:59.240 they made more, more, more accommodations 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.360 again and again and again 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:02.059 to the point where they became 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:02.919 utterly indistinct 00:18:02.919 --> 00:18:04.440 and they lost their cultural identity 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:06.039 and became Babylonian. 00:18:06.919 --> 00:18:07.879 Nebuchadnezzar's plan worked. 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:10.059 And of course, we see 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:10.980 there are many churches 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:12.319 that fall into these two groups. 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.579 We have the churches 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:14.819 that fortify themselves 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.599 against culture, 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:18.319 that say secular culture is evil. 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:20.339 We need to create our own society 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.259 within a society 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:25.019 and make as little intermingling possible 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.500 as we possibly can, 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:28.059 especially for the good of our children. 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:30.220 They insulate themselves. 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.700 Then you have the other churches 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:36.359 who respond to their situation 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:37.879 and the current cultural moment 00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:40.779 by doing all that they can 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.539 to become relevant, 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:44.559 to become like the culture 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:46.000 that they live in 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.200 and they make accommodations 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.399 in their beliefs 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:49.179 and in their values 00:18:49.179 --> 00:18:50.039 and in their priorities 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:52.879 and in their ways of life. 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.980 And ultimately, what happens? 00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:55.579 They become more and more 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:56.720 and more and more and more 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.799 indistinguishable 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.819 until ironically, 00:18:59.399 --> 00:19:00.740 in their striving to be relevant, 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.059 they become utterly irrelevant. 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.919 Well, Daniel was a part of 00:19:04.919 --> 00:19:05.839 neither group. 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.319 Daniel was part of a third group. 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:11.199 The group that Daniel was a part of 00:19:11.199 --> 00:19:13.579 had most likely read 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.460 the prophet Jeremiah. 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.279 See, Jeremiah wrote 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:18.659 about this particular time of exile. 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.659 And the prophet Jeremiah 00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:21.740 was the one God used 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.939 to teach God's people 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:25.100 how they should relate to 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:26.559 and think about 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:29.019 their predicament in Babylon. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.940 It's possible, 00:19:31.120 --> 00:19:31.940 Daniel being royalty, 00:19:32.080 --> 00:19:33.279 that he even had a scroll 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.700 of Jeremiah's writings 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:37.140 in his bag in Babylon. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.340 And it's very likely 00:19:39.340 --> 00:19:40.440 that he would have been familiar 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.980 with Jeremiah chapter 29, 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:43.539 which says an amazing thing. 00:19:45.080 --> 00:19:46.180 Jeremiah chapter 29, 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:47.740 which calls the Israelites 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:49.140 to build houses, 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.640 to plant gardens, 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:52.640 to get jobs, 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:54.720 to allow their kids to marry, 00:19:55.300 --> 00:19:57.920 to make a life for themselves. 00:19:59.600 --> 00:20:00.400 You're going to be here 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:01.420 for a while, he says. 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:03.500 Settle in, intermingle, 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.420 get to know your neighbors. 00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:07.300 And yet at the same time, 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:08.900 the purpose is revealed for this 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:11.440 in verse 7 of chapter 29. 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:12.900 He says, 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.900 I've sent you here 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.640 and I've put you here 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.759 so that you can seek 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.940 the welfare of this city 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.660 where I've sent you. 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:20.279 And then he says 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:20.880 something amazing. 00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:22.140 For in its welfare, 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.640 you will find your welfare. 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:26.380 The city that destroyed you, 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.240 the city that wiped 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.840 your people out, 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.620 the city that has brought 00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.279 you into exile, 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.680 I've put you here 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.820 to seek their welfare 00:20:31.820 --> 00:20:33.100 and in their welfare, 00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:34.460 you will find your welfare. 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.940 So immerse yourself 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:38.779 in the culture, 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.680 immerse yourself, 00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:42.860 but do it in a way 00:20:42.860 --> 00:20:43.980 where you remain faithful 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.600 to me 00:20:44.600 --> 00:20:46.040 because your reason 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.700 for being there 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.700 is so that I can bless 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.399 and reach them. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:51.379 It's an amazing balance 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:51.920 to strike. 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.639 It's the balance 00:20:52.639 --> 00:20:53.980 of faithful presence. 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:55.440 So on the one hand, 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:56.599 you see Daniel 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.099 and his friends 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:58.399 become fully present, 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.740 fully immersed 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.740 in the Babylonian culture. 00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:02.980 They read 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.539 and they study 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.299 everything they can 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.079 get their hands on. 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:06.579 Now you have to understand, 00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:07.579 the curriculum 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:09.519 at Babylon U 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.440 was not quite like 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:10.980 the curricula 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.899 of most of our 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:12.680 universities today. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:15.139 Here's some of the subjects 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:15.899 they would have studied. 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:17.460 Astrology. 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.359 Not astronomy. 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.680 Astrology. 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:22.279 The study of animal entrails. 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:25.460 That's a whole study, 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:25.819 I guess. 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:28.960 Rites of purification, 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:31.240 sacrificial incantations, 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.399 exorcism, 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:34.039 forms of divination, 00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:35.460 enchantments, 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.539 magic. 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:37.680 Sounds a lot like 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:38.920 Harry Potter at Hogwarts. 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.399 And we think that, 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.200 and you know, 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:42.480 well, it can't be that bad, 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.299 but you have to understand 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:44.500 for devout Jews, 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.920 this would have been 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.980 utterly scandalous. 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.160 It would have been 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:49.180 much more challenging 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:49.900 for them 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:51.740 than most of the content 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.500 Christians are 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.779 confronted with 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:55.160 in today's universities. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.799 This would have been 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.660 scandalous. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.259 And yet, 00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:58.960 they plunge 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.640 into this 00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:00.440 three-year degree 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:01.839 and they graduate 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.720 summa cum laude. 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:03.940 You can see that 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:04.799 because Nebuchadnezzar 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.640 actually says 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:06.640 in verse 20 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:08.200 that Daniel and his friends 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:09.619 are ten times better 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.880 than anyone else 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.460 in his court. 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:13.079 top of their class. 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.480 And the very last verse 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.180 tells us that 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:17.140 he's so good 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:18.299 that Daniel is secured 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.600 as a top advisor 00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:21.039 in Nebuchadnezzar's court 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:21.779 for the remainder 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.799 of his time on the throne. 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:25.100 That's amazing. 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:27.620 So his career is what? 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.799 Giving advice 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:29.559 to the king 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:31.160 who wiped out his people. 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.700 Advising the enemy. 00:22:34.340 --> 00:22:35.000 You can't get more 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.700 immersed than that. 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:38.539 So they immerse themselves 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.240 in the culture 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.980 and yet here's the thing. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:43.380 They don't totally assimilate. 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.220 There's a line 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.440 that they will not cross. 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:47.900 A line that they 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.940 will not cross. 00:22:49.860 --> 00:22:50.680 As part of the 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.860 acculturation program, 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:53.299 Nebuchadnezzar decrees 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:54.299 that all students 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.920 will eat 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:56.180 from the king's table. 00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:58.519 Now you've got to understand, 00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:59.620 food from the king's table, 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:01.059 that is the best food 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:01.840 in the land. 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.299 This is 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.900 Michelin quality dining. 00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:07.420 But it says in verse 8, 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:09.000 Daniel resolved 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:10.539 that he would not 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.440 defile himself 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:12.400 with the king's food 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.380 or the wine 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:14.039 that he drank. 00:23:14.840 --> 00:23:15.600 Now you've got to understand, 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.080 huge risk. 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.220 Huge risk. 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:21.560 He's taking a massive risk here 00:23:21.560 --> 00:23:22.279 so we have to ask, 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:22.800 why? 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.360 Why would he take 00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:24.960 such a stand? 00:23:25.060 --> 00:23:25.220 I mean, 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:27.039 Daniel has allowed himself 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:28.220 to be renamed 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.220 with a pagan name. 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:30.460 He's allowed himself 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.400 to be forced 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:32.640 into a PhD program 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:33.640 in occult sciences. 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:34.080 Moreover, 00:23:36.040 --> 00:23:36.820 there's no direct 00:23:36.820 --> 00:23:37.580 prohibition 00:23:37.580 --> 00:23:39.580 against eating meat 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:40.480 or drinking wine 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.020 in scripture 00:23:41.020 --> 00:23:42.400 unless you're a Nazarite. 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:45.620 So why did he draw 00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:46.420 the line here? 00:23:46.540 --> 00:23:47.940 What is it about the food? 00:23:49.320 --> 00:23:50.040 And some people say, 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:50.280 well, 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.480 Daniel 1, 00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:53.259 this is a diet 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.259 and weight loss plan 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.759 and this is what 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.560 we should take from this. 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.640 That's not what it's about. 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.320 Some people say, 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:58.580 see, 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.440 this is why 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.500 we should all be vegetarian. 00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:01.420 That's not what it's about. 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.700 He draws the line 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.180 at the meal 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:05.860 because the meal 00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:06.600 is more than a meal. 00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:08.580 It's more than a meal. 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.860 It's not the food itself. 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.920 It's the significance 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:13.460 of this meal. 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:16.140 It's a religious act. 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:18.200 It's an act of worship. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:20.680 Eating the king's food 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:22.280 was a kind of sacrament. 00:24:22.280 --> 00:24:23.820 It meant worshiping 00:24:23.820 --> 00:24:24.600 the king 00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:25.800 and his provision. 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:27.400 Food from the king's table. 00:24:27.560 --> 00:24:27.900 Christians, 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.600 we have a king's table. 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.780 But it's a very different king. 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.540 The idea was, 00:24:35.600 --> 00:24:36.140 over time, 00:24:36.540 --> 00:24:37.120 those who ate 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:38.040 from the king's table 00:24:38.040 --> 00:24:38.720 would be presented 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.380 to the public 00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:40.740 and their healthy appearance 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:42.560 would be admired by all 00:24:42.560 --> 00:24:43.420 and it would be seen 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.040 as evidence 00:24:44.040 --> 00:24:45.380 of the good king 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:47.259 and the blessing 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:47.960 of the gods 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.800 of that king, 00:24:49.020 --> 00:24:49.940 his father 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:51.700 and the pantheon 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.980 and evidence 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.620 of his goodness 00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.360 and his provision. 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:57.560 And Daniel knew 00:24:57.560 --> 00:24:58.840 that he could not do that. 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.720 He's willing 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.680 to learn the language. 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.200 He's willing 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.100 to learn the literature. 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:04.779 He's willing 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.640 to learn and master 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.259 the sciences. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.299 But he draws 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:09.080 the line at worship. 00:25:10.320 --> 00:25:12.799 He will not worship 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:15.120 or glorify 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:16.640 the king 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.600 or the pagan idols 00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:18.100 of Babylon. 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.620 And one thing 00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:20.440 I want to note here, 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.460 he doesn't make 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.299 a huge fuss. 00:25:23.580 --> 00:25:24.420 What's interesting is, 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.519 this isn't a major 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.420 hunger strike. 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:27.320 You know, 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:28.440 he doesn't protest. 00:25:29.060 --> 00:25:30.060 He doesn't make it 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:30.679 an issue, 00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:31.940 a public issue. 00:25:32.159 --> 00:25:32.759 He doesn't issue 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.539 an outcry. 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.539 He doesn't start 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.059 a petition. 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:36.039 In fact, 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:36.799 Nebuchadnezzar 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.619 never even knows 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.460 that he does this. 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.000 It's private. 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.899 He goes to the officials 00:25:41.899 --> 00:25:43.220 and very discreetly 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.759 and quietly 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:45.220 arranges to be fed 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.220 only vegetables. 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:48.839 What does this tell us? 00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:51.079 What does this tell us? 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:54.539 His primary concern 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:56.680 wasn't making 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.500 a public stand. 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.339 It was personal. 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.440 In other words, 00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.299 he's concerned 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.039 about the effect 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.859 of eating this meal 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:03.539 on his own heart. 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:06.019 That's his primary concern. 00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:08.079 And here's the thing 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:08.940 that we need to see here. 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:10.539 The habits 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.339 and the patterns 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:12.079 of our lives. 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:12.899 In particular, 00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:14.440 the habits 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.279 and the patterns 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.019 and the rituals 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.339 and the liturgies 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.619 that are imbued 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.659 with significance, 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.200 that have a kind 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:22.180 of religious weight 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.559 to them. 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:24.039 Over time, 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.759 the more we do 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.359 those things, 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.539 they actually shape 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.200 our hearts. 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.180 They shape 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:29.359 what we imagine. 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.139 They shape 00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:31.279 what we think about. 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:31.940 They shape 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:33.099 what we fantasize about. 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:33.839 They shape 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:34.879 how we hope 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.639 and where we hope. 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:36.399 And ultimately, 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:36.920 they shape 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.659 what we love. 00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:40.200 And Daniel 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:42.019 instinctively knows this. 00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:43.319 What's he worried about? 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.240 The first time 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:44.899 he eats the food, 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.440 not a big deal. 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.099 The second time, 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:46.819 not a big deal. 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:47.559 But over time, 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.299 as he continues 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.299 to engage 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.440 in this sacrament, 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.159 what will happen 00:26:51.159 --> 00:26:51.859 to his heart? 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.019 More and more 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.339 and more 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:54.960 as he's eating 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.359 the food 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:55.900 and enjoying 00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:56.599 the goodness of it 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.160 and reflecting 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.279 on his gratitude 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.259 to King Nebuchadnezzar, 00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:00.000 what's going to happen? 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.039 He's going to grow 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:01.799 to love 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.279 and ultimately 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.940 to worship 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.839 a pagan king. 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.700 He realizes 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:07.700 that's how hearts 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.920 are wooed away. 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.480 Not a grand 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.420 act of rebellion, 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.819 small acts 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.559 of compromise 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.440 over time 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.339 that pave the way 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.680 for larger compromises 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.339 down the road. 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:19.859 Faithfulness 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.799 is the same way. 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.639 Small acts 00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:22.360 of faithfulness 00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:23.420 paved the way 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:24.259 for larger acts 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.920 of faithfulness 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:26.080 down the road. 00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:27.640 So the only way 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.400 Daniel can hope 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:29.340 to have a successful 00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:30.620 career utterly 00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:32.020 immersed in Babylonian 00:27:32.020 --> 00:27:32.640 idolatry 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:34.780 and remain faithful 00:27:34.780 --> 00:27:37.000 is to cultivate 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:38.140 daily habits 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:39.580 that lead his heart 00:27:39.580 --> 00:27:40.700 to worship God 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.360 rather than 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:42.360 the Babylonian idols. 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.240 And this is what 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.340 it means to practice 00:27:45.340 --> 00:27:46.580 a faithful presence. 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:49.839 So on the one hand 00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.819 this tells us 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.319 very clearly 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:52.480 God's people, 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:52.899 Christians, 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:53.639 are called to 00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:54.579 immerse ourselves 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.159 in culture. 00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:57.579 Read the literature. 00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:59.299 Know the science. 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.980 Master all the fields 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.500 of study. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.899 Seek excellence. 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.199 Do your utmost 00:28:04.199 --> 00:28:05.319 to rise to the top 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:06.500 of your chosen profession. 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:09.220 Daniel is more 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.819 Babylonian 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.779 than the Babylonians. 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.619 He's better 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:13.559 at being a Babylonian 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.099 than they are 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.939 in many ways 00:28:14.939 --> 00:28:16.319 except for religious. 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.059 Right? 00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:19.599 I hope that Christians 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:21.559 rise to the top 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:21.960 of their field. 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:23.059 I love the idea 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.240 that people might say 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.199 you know I don't agree 00:28:25.199 --> 00:28:25.720 with anything 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.379 that they believe. 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.019 I think that they're 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.960 I can't believe 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.480 that they believe 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:29.039 those things. 00:28:29.399 --> 00:28:29.899 But they make 00:28:29.899 --> 00:28:31.000 amazing employees. 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:32.559 They're the most 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:34.259 honest, reliable, 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.220 thorough, 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:40.579 effective employees 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.939 and I can think 00:28:41.939 --> 00:28:42.500 of nothing better 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.279 than to fill my 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:43.960 I don't agree 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.819 with what they believe. 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.919 but I want 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:46.939 a company full of them. 00:28:47.899 --> 00:28:48.619 Can you imagine 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.539 if people said that? 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.720 Immerse ourselves. 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.159 But on the other hand 00:28:54.159 --> 00:28:54.779 like Babylon 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.519 our culture 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.119 is frankly 00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:57.119 full of idols 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:58.339 and it's ultimately 00:28:58.339 --> 00:28:59.619 devoted not to the glory 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:00.659 of any pantheons 00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.819 of gods and goddesses 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.779 but rather the glory 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:03.299 of humanity. 00:29:03.439 --> 00:29:04.379 DC is devoted 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:05.220 to the glory 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.039 of human achievement. 00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:08.859 That is our idol here. 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:12.220 And there are times 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.480 when we have to draw lines. 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.099 There are places 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:14.960 where we have to draw 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:17.000 moral and ethical lines. 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.759 But even below that 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:21.259 unless we cultivate 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.920 habits and patterns 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.960 and rituals 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:25.019 and liturgies 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.720 of faithfulness 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.599 in the small things 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.680 we can never hope 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.519 to remain faithful 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.799 over the long haul. 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.019 Right? 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:31.980 This is why we gather 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.799 weekly and do 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.339 what we're doing. 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.380 This is a 00:29:34.380 --> 00:29:36.059 counter-formational liturgy. 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.940 It's a liturgy 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.940 that turns our hearts 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:40.480 away from achievement 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.700 away from being convinced 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:43.220 of our own amazingness 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:44.779 away from the hopes 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.640 that we place here 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.019 or there 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.980 and it wrenches 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:47.740 our hearts back 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.740 and reorients them 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.500 toward the God 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.779 who gave his son for us. 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.819 But yet it's not enough 00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.700 to do this once a week. 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.539 That's why we encourage 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:55.120 people to meet 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.980 in small groups 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:57.319 to pray 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:58.539 and to read scripture together. 00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.080 Why? 00:29:59.180 --> 00:29:59.860 Because we need 00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:00.640 those habits 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:01.500 and rituals 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.900 and it's really not enough 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:03.740 to do it on Sunday 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.580 and then on Wednesday. 00:30:04.860 --> 00:30:05.460 You need to do it 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.080 even more than that. 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:07.220 So we encourage families 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.579 and groups of friends 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.600 and roommates 00:30:09.600 --> 00:30:10.819 to do this regularly 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.900 in their homes together 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:12.940 because we need 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:13.700 these habits 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.440 and rituals. 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:15.319 But it's not even enough 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:15.759 to do that. 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.880 We actually encourage people 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:17.880 to do it individually 00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.539 to pray 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.660 and to read scripture. 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.259 Why? 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:21.759 Because this is the only way 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:24.000 that we can hope 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:26.319 to be fully immersed 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.240 in such a culture 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.140 and yet remain 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:30.259 faithful. 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:32.299 This is what you might 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:32.900 think of 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:33.779 and what has been called 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.839 a rule of life. 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:37.199 It's a way of structuring 00:30:37.199 --> 00:30:37.859 your life 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:39.480 building your life 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.319 around rituals 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:40.980 habits 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.579 patterns 00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:42.720 and liturgies 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:44.819 that ultimately 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:46.019 cultivate a heart 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.619 that is shaped 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.319 by the gospel 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:50.619 rather than the pantheon. 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:55.899 This is why we encourage 00:30:55.899 --> 00:30:56.980 these kinds of practices 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.679 in our church 00:30:57.679 --> 00:30:58.619 and over the course 00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.599 of the next few months 00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.939 including our parish retreat 00:31:00.939 --> 00:31:01.819 we'll be talking more 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:02.720 and more about 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:03.480 what it means 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.279 to live by 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.359 a rule of life 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:05.980 what that actually 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.599 looks like. 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.420 But for now 00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:09.160 we want to come back 00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:10.359 to our original question 00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:11.359 as we close. 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.180 Is it possible 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:14.440 to follow God faithfully 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:16.920 and to thrive 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.420 in a culture 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:18.779 that is largely hostile 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:20.639 to your beliefs? 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:21.980 In other words 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.559 how do we deal 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.519 with the immense pressure 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.639 of conformity? 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:25.279 And the answer 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:27.180 begins this way 00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:28.579 by committing ourselves 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.259 to the practice 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.319 of faithful presence. 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:32.079 Living lives 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:32.759 fully immersed 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.299 in culture 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.000 but shaped 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:35.619 by a rule of life. 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.579 Habits of faithfulness. 00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:39.680 But of course 00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:40.500 if we ended here 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.740 we would be missing 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.720 the larger point 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.759 of the chapter 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.480 and the book. 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:45.920 I could say 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:47.180 dare to be a Daniel. 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:48.619 Amen. 00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:51.180 But as I said 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:51.539 at the beginning 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.299 that's not the point 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:52.740 of the book. 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.519 What we see here 00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:57.460 is that Daniel's 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.460 faithful presence 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.660 is only made possible 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:01.040 because of God's 00:32:01.040 --> 00:32:02.519 faithful presence. 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.400 And you see it 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.200 like a drumbeat 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.460 again and again 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:06.000 and again. 00:32:06.340 --> 00:32:06.779 Verse 2 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:08.500 God gave Jehoiakim 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.840 into Nebuchadnezzar's hand. 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.420 Verse 9 00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:11.800 God gave Daniel 00:32:11.800 --> 00:32:12.800 favor with the officials 00:32:12.800 --> 00:32:13.300 in Babylon. 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.100 Verse 17 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:15.560 God gave Daniel 00:32:15.560 --> 00:32:16.160 and his friends 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:17.300 learning and skill 00:32:17.300 --> 00:32:18.380 beyond anyone else 00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:18.880 in Babylon. 00:32:19.360 --> 00:32:20.300 God is in control 00:32:20.300 --> 00:32:21.380 he's the hero 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:22.019 of the story. 00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:24.360 God gave. 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:25.700 God gave. 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:26.720 God gave. 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.180 And ultimately 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:27.640 what does this 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:28.220 point us toward? 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:31.779 God gave us 00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:33.200 his son. 00:32:35.259 --> 00:32:36.400 The one who had 00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:37.039 an ultimate 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.000 and perfect 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.940 faithful presence. 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.039 The one who 00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:41.240 fully entered in 00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:42.900 became in every way 00:32:42.900 --> 00:32:43.799 thoroughly 00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:45.880 like all of us 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:46.860 and yet remained 00:32:46.860 --> 00:32:48.220 perfectly faithful 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:49.380 to his father 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:50.200 even though it led 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:51.460 him straight to the cross 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:53.140 to die for us 00:32:53.140 --> 00:32:54.160 to reconcile us 00:32:54.160 --> 00:32:54.720 to himself. 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:56.839 So the point 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.460 we leave with 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:58.720 is this 00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.839 it is only possible 00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:00.720 for us to have 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.600 a faithful presence 00:33:01.600 --> 00:33:03.120 in this world 00:33:03.120 --> 00:33:04.559 because God 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.519 in Jesus Christ 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.180 and the power 00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:06.980 of the Holy Spirit 00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:08.700 has a faithful presence 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.960 with us. 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.180 Let's pray. 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:15.079 Our Father 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:15.819 as we said before 00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:16.480 we thank you 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.120 for your word. 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.579 We thank you 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:19.400 that even as we 00:33:19.400 --> 00:33:20.640 consider these things 00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:22.180 you are present 00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:23.160 you are here. 00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:25.640 not only with us 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:27.519 but in us. 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:29.000 We ask now 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:30.100 that your Holy Spirit 00:33:30.100 --> 00:33:31.840 would surgically 00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:33.040 apply your word 00:33:33.040 --> 00:33:33.800 to our hearts 00:33:33.800 --> 00:33:36.420 in exactly the ways 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:36.860 we need. 00:33:38.040 --> 00:33:38.680 We pray this 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.259 for our good 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:39.960 but chiefly 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.680 for your glory 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:42.060 in your son's name. 00:33:42.320 --> 00:33:42.519 Amen.