Living into Community by Christine D. Pohl

Author:Christine D. Pohl [Pohl, Christine D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Published: 2011-12-19T23:00:00+00:00

Promises We Shouldn’t Make and Shouldn’t Keep

In Mark 6:14-29, John the Baptist’s death follows immediately upon a promise that never should have been made.8 John was in prison because King Herod’s wife had found his truth-telling annoying. She disliked John’s assessment of her relationship with Herod, and she wanted him out of the way. Herod, though disturbed by John, also knew him to be a “righteous and holy man.” Herod “liked to listen to him”; he found John engaging, though he did not respond to his words with a change in lifestyle.

Herod did, however, respond to a very “pleasing” dance by his wife’s daughter. He promised her anything she wanted — up to half his kingdom. She went to her mother for advice and asked immediately for John’s head on a platter. It was a revolting request, morally outrageous, simultaneously petty and terrible.

Despite the outrageous nature of the request, because of his own pride and weakness, and “out of regard for his oaths and for the guests,” Herod “did not want to refuse her” (Mark 6:26). John was beheaded because of a promise to a girl who provided pleasing entertainment at a birthday party.

Herod was weak and morally stupid; he was worried about — and captivated by — the wrong things. He knew John was good and imprisoned him anyway, and then had him killed. Knowing was not enough; pleasure, sensuality, and pride triumphed. Herod betrayed the authority entrusted to him, and keeping his promise became an excuse for terrible behavior.9

The content of our promises matters — not just that we keep them. When we follow through on a promise that should never have been made, we do not convert it into something good.10 The emphasis on keeping promises should not be used as a “way of making immoral acts seem to be not only morally acceptable but morally obligatory.”11

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