Introduction
Satire can be viewed in two ways: as acid meant to excoriate someone or as a humorous poke intended to provoke thinking. I hope that readers will slot this brief blog into the latter category.
A Recent Letter from A Martian Explorer
Hi, my name is Zorbo. I am from Mars. We studied the history of Earth and have been learning English in preparation for our visit since it seems to be virtually the universal language. I was reading this week and discovered words that were not in the Merriam-Webster dictionary—or any other generally accepted dictionary.
This is frustrating. Where do I go to find a definition for chestfeeding, birthing person, sex assignment, and gender self-identity? Since the beginning of your history with those first two folks, there have always been only two genders on earth. Where did the phrase “sex assignment” come from? We have observed that your females, animals, and humans always give birth. Who does this term, “birthing person,” designate? Perhaps it is the term “chestfeeding” that is most puzzling. Does this refer to some criminal that kills people to eat their chest?
We Martians consider ourselves coldly logical people. Neither my associates nor I have understood these terms, as they do not fit your reality. I (we) need some help. Please direct us to a dictionary or a medical textbook that can clarify our confusion. We have anticipated establishing diplomatic relations with Earth but are having second thoughts.
Postscript
Between the COVID-19 sociological boondoggle of the Biden administration, the constant borage of digital media, the disentangling of the family structure, and the deconstruction of the American social structure, including both the government and the church, it is little wonder that our children are asking the same questions as the Martians are.
As my Pastor observed around the turn of the century, this century will look more like the first century than any since then. I would agree, however, this century is on steroids. While we have many blessings in the digital age, it has added a steroid effect to the mix. From pornography at the click to peer pressure to the 10th power, the digital world presents young people with an intoxicant that is far too powerful, especially when so many grow up in dysfunctional families and, hence, little guidance to learn how to process challenges.
It has always been a challenge to bring the gospel to the world. While digital technology has added tools, and we should utilize them fully, it has also intensified the challenge. A Hyundai advertisement drives home this point. While a dad is learning the slang of his teens, their mom purchases a Hyundai online. The culture changes from one generation to the next. Hence, parents find communication with their children challenging, contributing to the instability of the culture and the ease of the spread and acceptance of aberrant thinking and behavior.
Parents become the visiting Martians, confused by language and practices that do not fit reality or conform to cultural norms, let alone Christian norms.
Conclusions
- What is a parent to do? Good question. As I often plead with my classes and counselees, when you cut the umbilical cord, connect the relational cord. James gives us good advice for parenting, “be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” Remember that listening is done in part by asking questions. Slow to speak means being thoughtful about what you say, how you say it, and when you say it. Slow to anger means being considerate, not reactionary, and controlled.
- What does a pastor, counselor, or friend need to do? Also, a good question. As Paul instructs, the best path forward is to speak the truth in love. That means kindly confronting those who claim error as truth (Gal 6:1-5).
- What about evangelization? Do it! The Great Commission, make, mark, and mature disciples, stands until Jesus returns.