Eternal Perspectives

[The following was originally posted at Theologica and is reproduced here for those who are too tired to click to that site.]

In an earlier post I likened some theological arguments to “gorillas thumping their chests, peacocks strutting, and bodybuilders striking a pose to look better than others.” My point was that such interactions too often turn out to be more for show and to puff ourselves up than to promote love or further the purposes of the Kingdom of God. The earlier comparisons hold but, upon reflection, I realized that the jawing of two male hippos might be more appropriate. At left is a candid photo of me looking for a fight (did you know I can open my mouth an amazing 150 degrees, i.e., enough to put my foot in it?) that illustrates my point.

Some may think it strange that on a blog devoted to theology - hence, the name Theologica - space and energy would be devoted to the manner in which we engage in in-house theological discussion. Ultimately, however, the study of theology is wasted if it does not result in changed behavior toward God, people, or both. This discussion, therefore, gets to the purpose and practice of doctrinal pursuits.

There are numerous statements that seem designed to excuse unloving or reckless words in such exchanges. Perhaps you have encountered - or used - some of them yourself. Admittedly I have far too often said such things in the past to justify my calloused comments. They appear to be reasonable and wise comments meant to take the sting out of what has been or is about to be said. The following are representative.

Don’t take it personally.”

“I’ve got to speak and defend the truth.”

“Iron shaprens iron, you know.”

Starting with the last statement, let’s explore these claims a bit.

It is true that “iron sharpens iron”: Pr 27.17 states, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (NASB). The question is whether this is true in every exchange between people or only in certain ones. It is not difficult to think of interactions in the Old Testament wherein the result was not necessarily beneficial to both. David’s confrontation with Goliath seems to have been a sharpening experience for the former but not so much the latter (1 Sam 17). The meeting of Samuel and Agag (1 Sam 15.32-33) also comes to mind. In the New Testament, Peter’s rebuke of Ananias and Sapphira seemed to be somewhat “dulling” for the deceitful couple.

Advice and commands to the contrary are also found in Scripture. Though there are many verses from the same book, i.e., Proverbs, that could be adduced, the following will suffice to dispel the universal application of 27.17:

A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.” - Pr 18.2

“When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.” - Pr 29.9

Please understand that I am not accusing anyone of being a fool (i.e., one who behaves as if there were no God; see picture of me at right) but am only seeking to demonstrate that there are some interactions that do not result in a mutual benefit. Iron can sharpen iron but, as anyone who has ever sharpened a knife knows, if it is not done properly iron can actually dull iron. So slapping Pr 27.17 on an argument does not prove that all such discussions are profitable.

Second, it is also true that Christians need to speak and defend the truth. The admonitions are hard to miss, especially in the New Testament. It is no less clear, however, that Christians are called to take the high road and to do the right thing in the right way. Perhaps the most obvious and sufficient statements come from Paul:

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
“but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
“from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” - Eph 4.14-16

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” - Col 4.16

“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” - 1 Th 5.14

Even with the “unruly” we are commanded to be “patient.” So our discussions and disagreements are limited by behavior that is loving, gracious, and patient.

Finally, there is my personal favorite: “Don’t take it personally.” If I understand this correctly, it means that I should not have an emotional reaction to an attack on my belief system but should instead process it cognitively and dispassionately, perhaps even stoically. The problem is that this is not possible: all thought has an affective component to it. The question is whether or not we are aware of the emotional valence or not.

LeDoux and Goleman argue that it is basically impossible to have conscious thought without there being an emotional component attached to it, but that the opposite is not true. All thoughts have emotions connected to them to some degree. Emotions are basic to the brain and are either consciously or unconsciously operative in any thoughts - and therefore conversations - we might have.

Fear, in fact, might be the most basic dimension of our mind - perhaps this is why Jesus so frequently told His disciples to “Fear not”? When something is said or communicated to us, it is impossible not to respond emotionally at some level. We are far better off being aware of what that emotional reaction is than to convince ourselves that we are not emotionally involved or moved by something that is said. Emotions will push us from behind if we are not aware of how they are influencing our thoughts and subsequent behaviors.

We need to keep this in mind, therefore, when we speak or write to others. How we say things is no less important than what we say. As the body of Christ, we have a wealth of knowledge and resources that any one of us - or even any single church or denomination - lacks individually. If we are to benefit from those resources, however, we must be diligent to obey 1 Cor 16.14: “Let all that you do be done in love.”

All of us are prone to be suspicious of those who are “not like us” theologically; when such messages are couched in angry, disrespectful, or condescending tones it is especially difficult not to shoot the messenger and ignore the message.