Disney World's Pride Month Celebration and Biblical Standards
The concept of pride, as understood in biblical standards, is consistently presented as a characteristic opposed to God's nature and will, often leading to abasement. The prophet Daniel, in a passage reflecting on Nebuchadnezzar's transformation, emphasizes that God's works are "true and just," and that "those that walk in pride" God will "abase" [3]. This perspective suggests that true contrition involves self-condemnation and the justification of God, acknowledging that any suffering experienced is deserved [3].
Patristic writings also address pride, often contrasting it with humility and innocence. Augustine, in his Exposition on Psalms, speaks of walking in "innocence" and trusting in the Lord rather than in oneself, implying that self-reliance or pride would lead to being "moved" from God's path [1]. The early church fathers frequently highlighted the importance of humility. For instance, the Testament of Judah states that "he who sinneth is burnt up by his own heart, and cannot raise his face unto the Judge," which can be interpreted as a consequence of pride preventing one from seeking God [8].
The biblical narrative frequently illustrates the downfall of those who exhibit pride. Nebuchadnezzar's experience in Daniel 4 serves as a prime example, where his boastful pride in his own power and accomplishments leads to his humiliation until he acknowledges God's sovereignty [3]. This narrative underscores the principle that God "abases" those who walk in pride [3]. Similarly, the book of Revelation speaks of giving "glory" to God, implying that glory should be directed towards the divine rather than claimed by individuals or groups [5].
The contrast between pride and a God-honoring posture is also evident in the New Testament. The apostle Peter encourages believers to be like "new-born babes," implying a state of innocence and lack of "guile" or self-importance [6]. This childlike spirit is presented as essential for entering heaven [6]. The concept of "bearing the glory" is attributed to Christ alone, as seen in Zechariah, where the Messiah "shall bear the glory," not individuals [7]. This highlights that true glory and honor belong to God and Christ, not to human endeavors or self-exaltation [7].
The early church fathers also saw the Scriptures as testifying to Christ and warning against ignorance of divine miracles [2]. This call to "search the Scriptures" suggests that understanding God's nature and commands, which include warnings against pride, is crucial for believers [2]. The emphasis on confession and imitation of worthy leaders in the Church, such as martyrs, further reinforces the idea of a community oriented towards God's standards rather than self-promotion [4].
Sources
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — OF DAVID HIMSELF. (part 1): 1. It may be attributed to David himself, not the Mediator, the Man Christ Jesus, but the whole Church now perfectly established in Christ. 2. "Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my innocence" (ver. 1). Judge me, O Lord, for, after the mercy which Thou first showedst[4] me, I have some desert of my innocence, the way whereof I have kept. "And trusting in the Lord I shall not be moved." And yet not even so trusting in myself, but in the Lord, I shall abide in Him. 3. "Prove me, O Lord, and try me" (ver. 2). Lest, ho”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 6: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius, Julius Africanus, Methodius, Arnobius — ORATION ON THE PALMS.(1) (part 5): being done bears witness that it is God that is thus hymned by uninstructed tongues. Search the Scriptures, as ye have heard(2) from the Lord; for they are they which testify of Him, and be not ignorant of this miracle. Hear ye men without grace, and thankless, what good tidings the prophet Zechariah brings to you. He says, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; behold thy King cometh unto thee: just and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon the foal of an ass.(3) Why do ye r”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 4:37: praise . . . extol . . . honour--He heaps word on word, as if he cannot say enough in praise of God. all whose works . . . truth . . . judgment--that is, are true and just (Rev 15:3; Rev 16:7). God has not dealt unjustly or too severely with me; whatever I have suffered, I deserved it all. It is a mark of true contrition to condemn one's self, and justify God (Psa 51:4). those that walk in pride . . . abase--exemplified in me. He condemns himself before the whole world, in order to glorify God. Next: Daniel Chapter 5”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM LXV III.[10] (part 27): the name of princes there are indicated in the Churches all men excelling and most worthy of imitation: what mean these names of the tribes of Israel? ... For the names are Hebrew: whereof Juda is said to be interpreted confession, Zabulon habitation of strength, Nephthalim my enlargement. All which words do intimate to us the most proper princes of the Church, worthy of their leadership, worthy of imitation, worthy of honours. For the Martyrs in the Churches hold the highest place, and by the crown of holy worth the”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 19:7: glad . . . rejoice--Greek, "rejoice . . . exult." give--so B and ANDREAS. But A reads, "we will give." glory--Greek, "the glory." the marriage of the Lamb is come--The full and final consummation is at Rev 21:2-9, &c. Previously there must be the overthrow of the beast, &c., at the Lord's coming, the binding of Satan, the millennial reign, the loosing of Satan and his last overthrow, and the general judgment. The elect-Church, the heavenly Bride, soon after the destruction of the harlot, is transfigured at the Lord's coming, and joins with Hi”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:2: new-born babes--altogether without "guile" (Pe1 2:1). As long as we are here we are "babes," in a specially tender relation to God (Isa 40:11). The childlike spirit is indispensable if we would enter heaven. "Milk" is here not elementary truths in contradistinction to more advanced Christian truths, as in Co1 3:2; Heb 5:12-13; but in contrast to "guile, hypocrisies," &c. (Pe1 2:1); the simplicity of Christian doctrine in general to the childlike spirit. The same "word of grace" which is the instrument in regeneration, is the instrument also of building”
- Zechariah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Zechariah 6:13: bear the glory--that is, wear the insignia of the kingly glory, "the crowns" (Psa 21:5; Psa 102:16; Isa 52:13). He himself shall bear the glory, not thou, Joshua, though thou dost bear the crowns. The Church's dignity is in her head alone, Christ. So Eliakim, type of Messiah, was to have "all the glory of his father's house hung upon him" (Isa 22:24). sit--implying security and permanence. priest . . . throne-- (Gen 14:18; Psa 110:4; Heb 5:6, Heb 5:10; Heb 6:20; Heb. 7:1-28). counsel of peace . . . between . . . both--Joshua and Zerubbabel, th”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — IV.--THE TESTAMENT OF JUDAH CONCERNING FORTITUDE, AND LOVE OF (part 9): error are written upon the breast of men, and each one of them the Lord knoweth. And there is no time at which the works of men can be hid from Him; for on the bones of his breast hath he been written down before the Lord. And the spirit of truth testifieth all things, and accuseth all; and he who sinneth is burnt up by his own heart, and cannot raise his face unto the Judge. 21. And now, my children, love Levi, that ye may abide, and exalt not yourse”