Matthew Woes | Chronological Snobbery

The episode opens with elder Dan Kammerzelt introducing himself and sharing a cultural reference to the TV show 'Seinfeld,' specifically the character Frank Costanza who invented Festivus as an alternative to Christmas. Dan describes Festivus traditions, such as the aluminum pole instead of a Christmas tree, feats of strength, and the airing of grievances, where he humorously compares it to his own practice of venting frustrations to students when they misbehave or neglect responsibilities. While acknowledging the cathartic benefit, he humorously notes it doesn't lead to behavior change but feels satisfying.

Dan introduces the series titled 'The Woes to the Pharisees' by referencing Matthew 23, a chapter where Jesus criticizes the Pharisees with strong language like calling them hypocrites and vipers. He explains that this chapter powerfully showcases Jesus airing grievances against religious leaders who are legalistic, prideful, and self-righteous. Dan emphasizes that although we might think of the Pharisees as opposites of us, we are capable of their behaviors, and Jesus' words come from divine authority, contrasting with his own more neurosis-driven frustrations.

Dan reads the passage from Matthew 23 where Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, especially their claim to be morally different from their ancestors who murdered prophets. He discusses the historical reality that many righteous figures like Abel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah were killed for speaking truth against evil in Israel. Using Hebrews 11, he illustrates how prophets and righteous people suffered greatly and were often killed for their faithfulness. This context underscores that the Pharisees' claim to be morally superior is hypocritical.

Dan criticizes the attitude of 'chronological snobbery,' a concept from CS Lewis, where people wrongly believe they are morally and intellectually superior to those in the past. He explains how this pride manifests today—such as dismissing past moral failures like racism, or imagining we would have acted differently in historical atrocities. He points out our tendency to despise older generations’ biases and morality, quoting examples like the civil war letters and Elizabethan poetry to illustrate how past people expressed themselves more thoughtfully and deeply than many do today. Dan warns that this superior attitude blinds us to our own potential for sin.

Dan emphasizes that reading the Bible with humility is essential. We must acknowledge that we have the same human capacities for good and evil as any previous generation. He advocates for honest self-reflection, using scriptures like Psalm 139 and the story of the tax collector in Luke 18, to cultivate humility. Recognizing our propensity for sin and God's faithfulness should lead us to avoid pride and instead foster thankfulness and dependence on God's grace. He notes that biblical heroes like David and Job, at their best, worshiped God amidst suffering, reminding us to focus on God's faithfulness rather than our righteousness.

Towards the conclusion, Dan highlights that Scripture is intended to give us hope, not pride. Though we share the same flaws as our ancestors, God's faithfulness remains constant. He reminds us that the biblical narrative ultimately points to God's goodness and grace, which surpass human failures. The Old Testament prophets and martyrs, although courageous, lacked the advantage of knowing Jesus Christ, making us 'luckier' in terms of salvation history. Dan encourages a response of worship and trust in God's ongoing faithfulness, regardless of our brokenness.