Anthropologists think our custom of handshaking dates back to primitive times, when men dropped their clubs and showed that their hands held no weapon. So, why do we pump our hands up and down? Some say it comes from an Arab custom in which the inferior would grasp the hand of the superior and kiss it. Of course, if that man wanted to declare that he was not superior he would kiss the hand of the other. So as each one tried to raise the hand of the other to the lips there would result the kind of pumping motion we associate with a handshake. Whatever the origin of handshaking the origin of humility is plain: God is so much our superior, and we are so dependent upon Him!


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About The Author

A third generation preacher, Mike Shannon is Professor of Preaching at Cincinnati Bible Seminary of Cincinnati Christian University. He has served as a preaching minister, church planter, and college professor. His most recent preaching ministry was at the historic First Christian Church of Johnson City, Tennessee. In his nearly two decades at Cincinnati Christian University, Mike has served as both professor and Dean of the Seminary. He has also been an adjunct professor at Milligan College and Northern Kentucky University. Mike is the author or co-author of several books.

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