Wuddup dawg?

Revelation 22:14-15 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

A number of years ago, the term "dog" became a term of derisive affection between young adult males in the hip-hop culture. Entertainment culture promoted the term "dog" and it rapidly went viral, becoming mainstream slang.

The term dog, when used in reference for a person indicates "a person regarded as unpleasant, contemptible, or wicked."

For years I have found my sensibilities jarred by the use of the term "dog" among young males. I suppose my reading of the Bible has been most instrumental in sensitizing me.

For example, Jesus referred to the Gentiles as dogs in Matthew 7:6 when he said: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." Paul referred to the Judaizers who legalistically demanded that Christians adhere to the Hebrew law of circumcision as "dogs": "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!" (Philippians 3:2).  

In the Bible, calling someone a "dog" was not a compliment or term of affection!  It was a derisive insult that had overtones of damning that one to Hell's eternal torment!

William Barclay elaborates on the Hebrew concept of "dog." He writes: "The dog was the symbol for everything that was savage and unclean." (William Barclay in The Revelation of John, vol. 2, 1959, p. 290).

Deuteronomy 23:18 says: "You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God in payment for any vow."  This command from the Hebrew law makes it clear that money acquired through prostitution is not acceptable for a gift to God in His house.  Then, the law makes a seemingly dense declaration against the "wages of a dog."  What does that mean?

Barclay indicates that "In the ancient temples there were not only female sacred prostitutes, there were also male sacred prostitutes; and these male prostitutes were commonly called dogs. Dog can denote a thoroughly immoral person, and that may be its meaning here." (Ibid., 291).  It seems that the prohibition of a whore contributing her profits to God was extended to the male prostitute as well. Thus, the Hebrew law offers us a glimpse into the holiness of God and His design for His Creation.  

People are not dogs.  Humans are created by God in imago dei--the image of God.  The glory of God's image, however marred by humanities fall into sin, still lingers in the grand design of God's Creation!   Bear His image well.  Seek the fulfillment of a life embracing Your Creator's intent.  The One who made you knows you best.