Human beings invite some problems because of misplaced pride. There is a rightful pride (gratification) in faithful human experience. The experience of humble/pride (an oxymoron in the minds of some) ought to be the balance of humility. It means that I am proud (pleased) in my own sense of worth, that I have been created by God to work some of his purpose in the world, to be his servant for good, especially related to others of the human race – beginning with family. The element of truth compels humility, for whatever there is that is perceived to be better – has been given as a gift. I have no personal authority for generation of good. I am proud (given dignity) that I made choice to God, so to find the best performance for whatever gifts of work and talent he may provide. Humans are ahead of animals, for animals do not have creative choices above their limited creation. I am proud of God, so to express worship. Humility compels it. Therein is the gratification of what we call pride. Pride of one’s country is in the pattern.
Perhaps a wholly human illustration (here made a parable) will help our thought line. In 1943, the year I turned 20, married and began my professional life, a magnificent finding was made. Streptomycin was presented to the world. It has virtually wiped out pernicious tuberculosis – for those who have it available. Had it been known fifteen years earlier, it is likely that my father would have been brought back to health and would have lived beyond his 36 years. Announcement of the discovery was made by Dr. Selman Waksman, the best known Rutgers University scientist. In 1952, Waksman was awarded a Nobel Prize for his work on the antibiotic. As is commonly the case in these great discoveries in modern times, there were brilliant graduate students assisting research. Often they do ordinary chores by checking out the ideas and replicating the work of their mentors. In this instance there was something murky about the real discovery, as some wondered about in trailing the research. In the process the claims of the graduate student Albert Schatz emerged, even ending up in the courts by 1950. Schatz was then recognized as co-discoverer of streptomycin and given a share of royalties. Gradually Waksman, perhaps Rutgers as well, dropped the name of Schatz from the discussion. By the time the Nobel Prize was awarded Schatz was omitted from recognition and financial award related to it. In 2012, the New York Times ran an article on the recent discovery of certain documentation that, indeed, the discoverer of Streptomycin gresius was the graduate student Albert Schatz (who long before was awarded a Ph.D. for completing the university program). The installed professional groups had sided with Waksman. The evidence sixty years later proved Schatz correct, and Waksman selfish. This last is related to the wrongness of a pride that permits a lie, and victimizes a person who might go on to even greater contributions to society. Recognized persons gain support, facilities, and funding that are important to the costly business of discovery. Schatz lost that influence. I hope he held private pride. He deceased before all the evidence of his work was recognized.
So it is that arrogance condemns us, sending us on detours that take away from what we might have done to go higher. We have no clear knowledge of what this type of pride costs. It is ugly, and condemned in Scripture. Waksman’s conduct was untrue even if he believed (and his established colleagues agreed) that he was so excellent to include a staff of persons with creative insights that would give him rights to all honors. Christianity teaches that we are dependent upon each other, and cast in a context of service that carried to mankind, is taken as service to God. God doesn’t need anything, but we need to be creative. Creativity is from the image of God in us. Achieving that commission is to serve mankind, devout or not, in response to having been served. God calls for it. The spirit of giving ourselves, and any excess we have, is a proof to us, perhaps to others, that we cherish obedience to God. It is not done to gain honor, it is done to include God’s corporate sharing with us. Part of a job well done is acknowledgment of those who made contribution to the context of the victory. In so simple a perception there may be fresh opportunity for creativity. There is a rightful pride in following the sensible, if that pride is held in humility of God’s gifts. I want God to be proud of me – and you. That is partly achieved through the contributions of others to our life context. Before God we belong to each other, brothers and sisters. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020