[1]McMINNVILLE, Ore. (BP)–You have to wonder how King Solomon and his renowned wisdom would fare in our enlightened age.
When Israel’s third king was confronted with the dilemma of two women claiming to be mother to the same infant, his decree was to cut the child in half. He proposed to literally divide the baby between the two “mothers.”
Upon hearing of the “solution,” one of the women begged the king to spare the child and grant custody to the other. Solomon then declared the protesting woman to be the real mother and gave the baby to her.
After the event, the Bible records that the Israelites were in awe of Solomon’s foresight. They understood that what originally seemed like a very uncaring decision, was really designed to produce long-term good. While it may not have seemed like at the time, Solomon was actually seeking the best interest of the infant. The result was mother and child reunited.
Can you imagine the outcry in today’s society at such an action? I can hear the pundits now: “How dare Solomon be so reckless with the life of a child,” they would charge. “Wisdom indeed,” they would bellow, “It was nothing more than a self-righteous stunt.”
[2]Why am I so certain that Solomon’s wisdom would be met with scorn and ridicule in today’s culture? Consider the case of a church in Sacramento, Calif., that attempted to apply such wisdom in our enlightened society.
According to a variety of reports, Pastor Rick Cole of the Capital Christian Center learned that the mother of a student attending the church’s school had become a nude dancer at a local strip joint. Though the mother’s actions violated an agreement parents sign upon enrolling in the school indicating they will uphold Christian values, Pastor Cole chose not to automatically expel the child.
Instead, the pastor met privately with the mother, Christina Silvas, and offered to assist her if she would stop working at Gold Club Centerfolds. He indicated the final month’s tuition would be waived and other financial help would be available as she transitioned to a more suitable job. However, if Miss Silvas continued to strip, Pastor Cole made it clear that her daughter would be asked to leave the school.
Miss Silvas left the meeting with the pastor and promptly told her side of the story to a local newspaper. She has since defended making the situation public by stating that it was the newspaper that had initially approached her. However, after the meeting with Pastor Cole did not go the way she had hoped, she decided to tell “all.”
The result, a television station aired Silvas’ story and in no time the world was passing judgement on the mean pastor and the poor mistreated stripper mom. Capital Christian Center has been portrayed as immoral while the woman who writhed naked in front of drooling men for money has been characterized as virtuous.
Silvas has given the impression that she really does not like taking her clothes off for financial reasons, but that she does so for the sake of her 5-year old daughter. “I’m just doing it for a season. I’m not proud of what I am doing,” she declared on Fox News’ “O’Reilly Factor.” However, on a message board maintained by Gold Club Centerfolds, Silvas has posted comments that suggest she enjoyed parading naked before leering eyes. She wrote, “Mark, the owner of Centerfolds, told me he is prepared to throw the biggest Welcome back party the city has ever seen if things don’t work out this time.” She continued, “My swan song may appear on Playboy.com (is that selling out? It’s been my dream!)… I told Mark I went to the movies last night and looked longingly at each Handicapped sign pole. How I miss the club and that pole!!!” Silvas is also quoted in the Sacramento Bee saying, “My experience there [stripping at Gold Club Centerfolds] was very positive.”
Part of the outrage at Pastor Cole’s decision was its timing. Coming just three weeks from the end of school, many observers suggested the church could have looked the other way and dealt with the situation when the school year had ended. These pundits declared it to be cruel and unusual punishment to keep the girl from an end of the year celebration because of her mother’s occupation.
Which is worse, for a child to miss out on an end of the year swim party or have a mother who degrades herself for the sake of money? Could it be that Pastor Cole, like Solomon, took a firm position hoping it might produce a long-term positive effect in the life of a child?
For now, the church’s action has produced fruit. Miss Silvas has agreed to stop dancing. At the very least, Pastor Cole has caused her to think about the affect her choices can have on her daughter. For the sake of her child, may she seek Solomon-like wisdom as well as a job that requires she keep her clothes on.
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