What is the difference between prescriptive and descriptive scriptures? Why does it matter?

Over recent months, I have seen various social media posts which try to claim that the Bible condones certain acts and behavior because it is featured in the scriptures. It is usually used as a gotcha moment in order to silence Christians as they try to use the Scriptures as their moral compass and guide to live by in life. However, it usually fails and only shows the individual’s ignorance in the Bible itself as the Bible is a mix of different types of literature. Literature such as poetry, biography, prophecy, narratives, discourse, letters and proverbs. Within these types of literatures, there are prescriptive and descriptive scriptures. What are prescriptive and descriptive scriptures? What is the difference and why is it important to know the difference? 

Prescriptive Scriptures is a clear moral rule or command. In the form of direct rules, laws and ethical instructions. These scriptures are telling people how things should be done, how to live, speak and act. Timeless directives for holy living, helping individuals and communities to live and walk in obedience. One example of prescriptive scriptures in the Old Testament is the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17. As well as the Mosaic Civil and Moral Law and wisdom directives found in the Proverbs would be directions for holy living. While the wisdom of the Proverbs are not direct commands, they are guidelines to live by. For example, Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” The teachings of Jesus, i.e. The Sermon on the Mount, and apostolic instructions are examples of prescriptive scripture in the New Testament. For example, Philippians 2:14 says “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” It is an explicit call to adopt a Christ honoring attitude which would consistently align with God’s revealed character and would remain relevant today. 

Descriptive Scriptures are observations and facts that explain how things happened. These scriptures tell a story or record an event without endorsement of these events. These are historical events, human choices, and cultural settings. The records simply show what happened and not necessarily what should have happened. In the Bible, there are books which are historical and narrative in nature. For example, Genesis, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and Acts. An example of a descriptive scripture would be 1 Kings 11:1-3 in which King Solomon has many foreign wives despite the prohibition against marrying foreigners and three concubines. Many individuals will use this scripture as proof that God endorses polygamy. However, it is a simple historical description of a broken action. It does not command or approve as many people fall to read further as verse 3 ends with “his wives led him astray” and leading him to turn away from the Lord and toward other gods (1 Kings 11:4) and doing evil in the eyes of the Lord (1 Kings 11:6). A New Testament example is in Acts 2 as the early church shared their money and property. It is a description of their unique situations; however, it does not command all modern churches or believers to do the exact same thing. 

How do readers of the Bible tell the difference between prescriptive and descriptive scriptures? First, it is important to know that the writers of the Bible wrote with a specific purpose for a specific audience. When reading a passage, it is important to ask who is the author and who was his audience? Many authors wrote to inform, correct, challenge, teach and explain to the people of their time. Since modern believers are not the original audience, our goal is to discover the original message in order to bridge the historical and cultural gap. It is only then can we be able to apply that meaning to our own time and culture. Second, prescriptive scriptures can be direct commands by using starting with “Do not” or “Do.” Third, check the literary genre which will clue readers to whether the passage is prescriptive or descriptive. The epistles, legal codes and wisdom literature, like the Proverbs, are more likely to be prescriptive in nature. While descriptive passages recount an event with a command to repeat. For example, the early church meeting in individuals' homes explains how the early believers gathered but there is no command for modern believers to do the same. 

Why does the difference matter? When the difference is understood correctly, the distinction preserves spiritual integrity while acknowledging the unity and consistency of Scripture. First, the proper application of scripture. When one understands which commands remain binding today and which passages are merely a historical record. Second, spiritual growth. Understanding the difference allows for the clearly prescriptive scriptures to be actions we are to follow exactly. For example, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray continually. Also descriptive accounts of Christ’s ministry reveals how He showed compassion, encountered opposition and confirmed his divine identity through his miracles. These narratives can inspire faith; however, it doesn’t impose any command for every believer to perform an identical ministry. Lastly, avoiding legalism. Overapplication of descriptive passages as though they were commands can lead to legalism. By differentiating the text’s intent, believers can avoid imposing unnecessary burdens that Scripture does not prescribe. There are practical guidelines for believers to follow in order to interpret Scriptures correctly. First, pay attention to the context. The context can give us clues if the text gives us a direct instruction like “honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12) or a text which is not a specific test for every believer like the fleece for confirmation in Judges 6. Second, a whole Bible perspective. To see the harmony across the Bible reaffirms that some Scriptures are prescriptive instructions while others are descriptive as to why. 

In conclusion, both prescriptive and descriptive Scriptures are vital as they both document how God has worked in history as well as gives believers instructions to live holy lives. While prescriptive scriptures explain how God commands believers to live; however, descriptive scriptures are faith rooted histories and testifies to the trustworthiness and historical reality of God’s interactions with humanity. It is important to study both prescriptive and descriptive scriptures and recognize their purpose in our lives. Believers, study the Bible in full. Take inspiration and learn from the descriptive scriptures and use the prescriptive scriptures as guidelines to live and grow spiritual in our relationship with the Lord.  And even be able to defend our faith and our God to those who would use his holy word against him. 

What are empaths?

Do you know anyone who seems to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders? Someone who seems to completely understand what you are going through. Or maybe it is you? Maybe you can connect with someone on a deeper level than just simply empathizing. Over the past couple years, I have heard the term, “empath” and everyone seems to claim that they are one. I have only casually researched what an empath was. Recently; however, I became curious what was an empath really was. What does it entail to be an empath? And how can you distinguish between a real empath and a fake one?

According to an online dictionary, empath is defined as a person with the paranormal ability to apprehend the mental or emotional state of another individual. However, Dr. Judith Orloff, states that the trademark characteristic of an empath is the ability to feel and absorb another’s emotions and or physical symptoms due to high sensitivities. Empaths tend to filter the world through their intuition and have a difficult time intellectualizing their feelings (Orloff). Often overwhelmed with the impact of stressful emotions, empaths can have panic attacks, depression, chronic fatigue, and other physical symptoms which cannot be medically explained as well as engage in food, sex and/or drug binges (Orloff). When you search for signs or traits of an empath, you might get overwhelmed with the number of articles with some suggest there are numerous traits. However, many traits overlap. One classic trait is an empath will take on others’ emotions as their own (Solo, 2019). Many of the traits describe an introvert such as needing alone time and being overwhelmed in crowds which is possibly why so many people claim to be empaths. Another core trait is an empath will be able to understand where people are coming from (Solo, 2019).

During my research, I came across a term, covert narcissist, essentially someone who claims to be an empath but is really not. Covert narcissists care for themselves and the idea of caring for others. Many times, they will rally for the rights of others because it feeds their ego and makes them look good (Bell, 2017). Many covert narcissists have the attitude that they are the “misunderstood special person” (Ni, 2016). This attitude includes statements to the effect that they are special, one of a kind, or ahead of their time: “I’m so unique that no one can possibly understand me.” Covert narcissist still crave attention; however, they will do so passively and will try to sabotage someone’s other relationships if it is in their way (Winter, 2018). They are highly sensitive to negative feedback and will vilify anyone who dares try to unmask them. “They’ll use their shyness to rope people in who will do their best to nurture them, reassure them of how special and giving and kind they are, and then turn around and vilify their White Knight if they dare to pull back and stop lavishing them with praise” (Winter, 2018).

After reading the descriptions of an empath and a covert narcissist, it seems hard that one can pretend to be other. However, I can think of a couple of examples from my life which I can now say these individuals were covert narcissists. Dr. Ava Pommerenk suggests three basic methods to uncover a covert narcissist. First, set and reset boundaries. The best way is to respectfully and calmly set boundaries and note their response. A true empath, while initially embarrassed and/or defensive at being called out, would consider why what they said or did was wrong and understand your position. A covert narcissist will not and will play the victim and you the perpetrator. Second, watch what they do when you get angry and frustrated. An empath will immediately care and offer some help or reassurance. A covert narcissist will, at first care, but will eventually grow impatient or act wounded by your anger and frustration. Third, ask a lot of pointed questions and observe how they identify with being a helper. An empath will detail their own spiritual path and how it led to helping others. A covert narcissist’s narrative will show how shallow they are when the narrative focuses on themselves and how they have helped others rather than their journey to that path.

In conclusion, empaths are people who feel deeper empathy for others. Empaths are often overwhelmed by emotions as they view the events of the world. Covert narcissists are empaths in disguise in which they portray themselves as empaths in order to manipulate others and hide their own insecurities. Of course, as with any topic, the information out there about empaths is vast and expansive, so I have only written on overview of the main details and encourage you to seek out more information if you wish.

References

Bell, Margaret. November 8, 2017. The narcissist as the empath. http://margaretbellcounseling.org/blog/2017/11/7/the-narcissist-as-the-empath. Retrieved April 16, 2019.

Ni, Preston. January 10, 2016. 7 Signs of a Covert Introvert Narcissist. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/communication-success/201601/7-signs-covert-introvert-narcissist. Retrieved April 16, 2019.

Orloff, Judith. Top 10 Traits of an Empath. www.drjudithorloff.com/top-10-traits-of-an-empath. Retrieved April 16, 2019.

Pommerenk, Ava. December 12, 2018. Narcissists claiming to be Empaths and Three Methods to Uncover the Truth. medium.com/@apommerenk/narcissists-claiming-to-be-empaths-three-methods-to-uncover-the-truth-daf841bbe15f. Retrieved April 16, 2019.

Solo, Andre. January 18, 2019. 13 Signs You are an Empath. www.highlysensitiverefuge.com/empath-signs. Retrieved April 16, 2019.

Winter, Catherine. Mary 18, 2018. The Covert Narcissist and Why They Can Be So Hard to Identify. www.aconsciousrethink.com/5420/covert-narcissist. Retrieved April 16, 2019.

The difference between being closed-minded and open-minded and when its appropriate to be one or the other

Have you ever read a description of you that you didn’t think fit? A description that you probably didn’t see in yourself? Recently, I came across a description of me that didn’t seem to fit. I was called closed minded. Closed-minded? I have never been called that in my life. At first, I thought “no way!” but I stopped about thought about. What if I was closed-minded? I was curious to know if it were true, I polled my family and friends and ask what word or phrase they would use to describe me? Because if I am closed-minded, I wanted to change. However, no one said close-minded. What does it mean to be closed-minded? What does it mean to be open-minded? Are there situations when being closed-minded is preferable?

Being closed minded is defined as unwilling to consider different ideas or opinions. Billionaire Ray Dalio explains it better in his book, Principles. Someone who is closed minded blocks others from speaking, lacks a deep sense of humility and doesn’t like their ideas to be challenged. I would say “who doesn’t?” but the difference is a closed-minded person would go on the defensive and an open-minded person would do further investigation. A closed minded person rarely asks questions and usually speaks in statements and focuses on being understood rather than on understanding. He or she holds closely to what he or she believes and isn’t willing to change and has more interest in being proven right than hearing other perspectives. A closed-minded person has trouble having two conflicting thoughts in their head at the same time and is unwilling to put aside personal bias to find the truth about the world. “We all naturally walk around with hundreds of biases of different degrees” (Chou, 2018), it is what we do with those biases is the difference.

Open-mindedness is defined as willing to consider new ideas. Synonyms would be unbiased, unprejudiced, nonpartisan, nonjudgmental. According to Dalio, an open-minded person genuinely believes he could be wrong and is compelled to see through other people’s point of view. An open-minded person is more interested in listening than speaking as well as listening to understand rather than listening to respond. An open-minded person will approach everything with fear that he or she could be wrong and seeks out all possible information before making a decision. An open-minded person is curious and doesn’t become angry when there is a disagreement. I must admit that sometimes I feel a twinge of anger when I read a disagreeing opinion; however, I have learned that everyone is entailed to their opinions, their stance on issues and not everyone is going to agree with me. An open-minded person knows when to make statements and when to ask questions. And an open-minded person is capable of holding two conflicting thoughts in his or her head and assessing the relative merits of both.

What I have learned you can be both closed minded and open minded. Being that being closed-minded isn’t always a bad thing and always being open-minded isn’t possible. “Being close minded isn’t always a bad thing. Being too open minded can lead to a downfall as well” (Chou, 2018). This statement reminds me of the Aaron Tippin song “You’ve Got to Stand for Something” (1990), in the chorus, one line says it all: “You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” Sometimes we must become closed-minded when we take a stance because if we are always open, we can essentially be fooled by anything. According to Garrett Hardin, having what is called “default status” is a good thing (Farnam Street). Default status is the ability to be skeptical on certain ideas or issues. There is wisdom to be closed minded on certain ideas or issues. For example, if someone came to you when an idea that would essentially be breaking the law, you have the right to say “no” without any thought.

Alan Jacobs, author of How to think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds, outlines three points when close-mindedness is essential. First, close your mind once you’ve done the work of thinking and not to avoid thinking. Closing your mind after you’ve chosen your position after careful consideration, weighing all the options, opinions, sides, and other information. It is wrong to close your mind in order to avoid thinking about the subject. It’s like voting guilty on a jury without listening to the evidence first. Second, close your mind with other people but not toward other people. The right way to close your mind is in a community that is open to questions and thoughts from others and does not discourage, mock or exclude others simply because they have a different position. Third, close your mind around an end but not the means. Closing your mind when you’re arrived at a settled conviction. You may remain closed-minded to your end goal but remain open-minded with other ways to achieve that goal. One of my favorite phrases is there is more than one way to skin a cat, meaning there is more than one way to achieve a goal.

In conclusion, I realized that yes, I am closed-minded about certain things. I have taking my stance and I’ll stick to it. However, it is after years of thought and consideration. Other issues or ideas, I am open to. I don’t pretend to know everything. To quote Hamlet, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy,” there is so much information in this world that it is impossible to know or even understand it all. One of the reasons I write the blog posts I do is investigate information I didn’t know or understand and share my thoughts. I also learned that one person can be bother closed-minded and open-minded and it would be dangerous to be one extreme or the other.

References

Dalio, Ray (2017). Principles: Life and Work. Simon & Schuster. September 19, 2017.

Chou, Will. The Difference between Open-Minded and Closed-Minded People. March 2018. www.willyoulaugh.com/open-minded/. Retrieved March 19, 2019

Farnam Street. The Difference between Open Minded and Closed-Minded People. https://fs.blog/2017/09/open-closed-minded/. Retrieved March 19, 2019.

Jacobs, Alan (2017). How to Think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds. Currency. October 17, 2017.

We are not equal

The other day I was watching an episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic with my daughter. This particular episode was about a village where everyone was equal. Everyone had the same talents, the same jobs and wore the same clothes, even their smiles on their faces. The village leader had the premise that “too many differences can lead to disarray,” to bitterness and misery. So instead of learning to embrace their differences and working together with their differences, everyone was made the same. The message of the episode was, in the words of Princess Twilight Sparkle, everyone “has unique talents and gifts and when we share them with each other, that’s how real friendship” is enjoyed. Why are we trying to make everyone equal when it’s obvious we are not? I am not saying that we cannot be treated the same. The U.S. Constitution says that we are all born with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There is often confusion about equality with rights. We all have the same rights but we are not all equal.

We all have different talents, different skills, and different abilities. I’m smart. I can recall facts which helps me play games like Jeopardy! and Trivial Pursuit well. If I have the time, I can write a 1,000 word blogpost in a couple of hours while I know some people who struggle with writing a single paragraph. However, give me an engine to fix and I wouldn’t know where to start. But give that same engine to a master mechanic and it’s a piece of cake. I am not equal to the skills of that mechanic. My husband has better customer service skills than I do. He can talk and create a rapport with just about anyone and I have a hard time starting a conversation with someone I don’t know or have little in common with. I have family and friends who are better at being assertive and speaking their minds than I am. I have my own talents. I am a better reader. I read fast with better comprehension than some. I’ve read books that made my middle school English teachers shocked that a 13 year old would 1) read it and 2) enjoy it. Do my strengths and weaknesses make me better or worse than others? No, just different. It took me a long time to realize that I may never have the same skills as others. I’ve learned to embrace my strengths and utilize other tools to help me with my weaknesses.

With different talents and skills, we all can do different jobs. We all can’t be CEOs or President of the United States or talented musicians or inventors. We all can’t be rich and powerful. We still need people to fix our cars, fix the plumping, and mow the grass and any other job which help our daily lives function. Every job is worth doing when a demand is needed. You may think people do these jobs due to a lack of skill or even education. Many people don’t realize the education and training people go through in order to fix our cars, especially cars with more electrical and computer components than before. However, some jobs have a component that cannot be taught: creativity. Do you think creativity can be taught? I don’t think so. A creative person with an eye for fashion can see a bolt of cloth and imagine a dress or shirt when someone else just sees a bolt of cloth. I can look at an empty word document and write a short story or a book review. We all have a unique set of strengths, of challenges and views and opinions which we can use to do different jobs and functions in our society.

Different talents and skills doesn’t mean that we do not have equal opportunity to use those talents and skills. Equal opportunity doesn’t mean equal outcome. A group of students should have an equal opportunity to be a success but what differs is their motivation and means to achieve an outcome. Individuals born into upper- and middle-classes have the means to be a success but may not always have the motivation to do so. Some people are born into poverty have a longer ladder to climb and have a fiercer motivation and determination to achieve success than is greater than their means. There are countless examples of rags to riches stories. JK Rowling was a single mother on welfare when she starting writing the Harry Potter series. Now she’s worth an approximate $850 million. David Geffen is a music mogul with a natural talent for recognizing musical genius. With a business sense taught to him by his mother, he was able to become a millionaire by the age of 26. Despite the fact that he did poorly in high school and flunked out of college. What about those who were born into “riches” and ended up in rags? What about those stories? The Vanderbilt family was once the second richest family after the Rockefellers. Six generations later, the empire that Cornelius Vanderbilt built would no longer operated by the family. An example that means does not equal success just as lack of means equals failure.

We all have different talents and skills. We all face different challenges and we all have different means and motivation in order to meet those challenges. We can’t all be the Super Bowl winning quarterback or Employee of the Month. There is nothing wrong with different. If we all are the same, the world would be bland and boring as depicted in the My Little Pony episode. Our differences help make this world vibrant and interesting. Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird once wrote “We know all men are not created equal in the sense some people would have us believe- some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity because they're born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others- some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of men.” We are not equal. Where we are the same is that we have the right to use our strengths and talents, to overcome our weaknesses, to make a difference in our world. The difference we make may not be in the grand scheme of the entire world but our everyday lives.