Truth or Consequences: The Trinity Conundrum.

Truth or Consequences: It was a crazy game show. Everyone disguised themselves and when offered something good could either keep it or go for what was behind door number one which often was a goat.

Two weeks ago as I walked by the quiet pond on the campus of Trinity International University to speak to a group of 43 seminary students on conflict issues in the church, I had no idea how that peace would soon be shattered. The first of three letters had already been sent by that time but it was the third letter received last Thursday that caught the eyes of the administration.

"I saw you in the chapel... I had my gun in my pocket, but I wouldn't shoot" is what part of the letter read in court yesterday at the bond hearing in Lake County said. Alicia A. Hardin, a 19-year-old student, stood confused as Assistant State's Attorney, Matthew Chancey, read the letter and the charges of disorderly conduct and committing a hate crime. Apparantly the three letters sent to three different African-American students were designed to get the attention of Hardin's parents to make them think Trinity was not safe so they would transfer her to Jackson State University in Mississippi. According to the Tribune, Hardin simply looked confused as she indicated she was on anti-anxiety medication.

Truth. A small peaceful Christian School. A 19-year-old girl who according to friends was a good kid, and parents who want their child to be protected from the dangers of society and receive a good Christian education. So how did all that get turned upside down?

Consequences. An African-American student sends hate mail to three other African-American students with the consequence of 43 minority students being evacuated to an undisclosed location, the media descends upon the peaceful campus where even Jessie Jackson makes his appearance. Trinity finds themselves in the local and international news including MTV and the New York Times. The New York Times today ran the article and for related news referred readers on their web site to cross-burning cases (www.nytimes.com/2005/04/27/national/27hate.html ). And all of this because one student wanted to go to a different college.

The Conundrum. As a parent don't you wonder how that could happen. How could your child not talk to you about a common issue that confronts thousands of teenagers? Didn't you give them all the material comforts? Didn't you send them to the right schools, churches, and after-school programs? So what happened? I don't know the parents of this teenager and I am not singling them out rather I am highlighting what I believe is a major problem in our fast-paced, game show society. We masquerade at parenting and life. We're never satisfied with what we have and always want what's behind door number one. Somehow we don't think there is anything wrong with that. It's what we deserve: after all, we might even tell ourselves, we're working so hard and building so much for our kids. In the mean time someone else is trying to teach them. They don't talk because we don't talk because we're too tired or too busy. Then we are shocked and appalled when our children do the very same thing. As long as what I'm doing doesn't actually hurt someone else and it helps me get what I want, and really am entitled to, then it can't be wrong. This is justice. Afer all justice is really just about us.

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."

The fear of the Lord. The very words conjure up negative images in the minds of the world. How can you teach proper discipline, respect and reverence? That is brow beating, it is contrary to creative expression, it is the equivalent of cross burning. And the New York Times thinks this teenager is a little extreme?!

We all get trapped in the muck and mire of this world. At first it slowly tugs at us and even at age 19 we take an anti-depressant, but eventually we find ourselves trapped and sinking fast. We are sinking precisely because sin has become our king. Our adversary waits until we are immobilized and then pounces like a roaring lion. But there is a way out. There is a strong arm reaching out to rescue us from life's quicksand. The strong arm of the Lord offers salvation to all those who reach out to him (Isa. 59:1). He will provide us the strength to see things for what they really are. We no longer need to play at a masquerade but can trust him to provide all our needs - even as parents.

"These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life... Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ... And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our justice." Deut. 6:1-5, 25.

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