Somebody recently accused me of being open-minded, and I was totally offended. But, of course, had she accused me of being closed-minded, I would have been equally troubled. Neither term is ideal since both of them embrace what logicians call a false dilemma.
On the one hand, many people have deep convictions, but their attachment comes from a profound ignorance of the alternatives. And convictions which depend upon personal ignorance are almost certainly not convictions worth protecting.
On the other hand, many people know a wide variety of points of view, but they’ve lost the ability to form deep commitments to any particular one. And if awareness only leads to option paralysis, of what use is it?
The real goal is to develop wide awareness while still preserving the ability to be deeply committed to the best things. When awareness is the background to your convictions, it not only helps insure you form the right ones, but it also opens doors of communication to people who don’t yet share them.
Thought of the Day 01.07.09
As a Christian who cares deeply about social issues, I often find myself talking about things that, quite frankly, I wish I could just ignore. But even as I discuss a social ill like homosexuality, I have to note a problem which so many of us have in our thinking about this particular sin: we think it’s special…especially bad. But it’s not.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. It’s very bad. But there are at least two problems in the way so many of us talk about gay behavior. The first is that our emphasis neglects by contrast all the other sexual sins that the Bible equally condemns such as pre-marital sex, adultery, and divorce; evils much more common and thus much more harmful.
But our second error is forgetting just how easy it is to single out for condemnation a sin which does not personally tempt us. Which is why we should tread with the greatest of care in discussing precisely those sins for which we feel no empathy and, hence, comprehend at best incompletely.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. It’s very bad. But there are at least two problems in the way so many of us talk about gay behavior. The first is that our emphasis neglects by contrast all the other sexual sins that the Bible equally condemns such as pre-marital sex, adultery, and divorce; evils much more common and thus much more harmful.
But our second error is forgetting just how easy it is to single out for condemnation a sin which does not personally tempt us. Which is why we should tread with the greatest of care in discussing precisely those sins for which we feel no empathy and, hence, comprehend at best incompletely.
Thought of the Day 01.06.09
According to one website, we shouldn’t spank because, “Everybody agrees it is morally wrong to settle arguments between adult people with blows.”
Unfortunately, this standard would disqualify virtually all disciplinary action. Time-outs, for instance, are not common between colleagues in the workplace, though perhaps they should be. Even leading a coworker by the hand away from trouble is probably frowned upon. In short, you rarely deal with unruly adults in any of the ways you deal with unruly children. Why not?
Because children are not related to their parents in the same way adults are. My children are under my authority. They are not my peers. And one of the main lessons we must impart to our children is that there are authorities over them with the legitimacy to punish the body for serious violations.
See, you don’t spank to correct behavior, but to teach children that they are not the ultimate masters of themselves…a reality which only becomes more vivid as they age and, eventually, pass into eternity.
Unfortunately, this standard would disqualify virtually all disciplinary action. Time-outs, for instance, are not common between colleagues in the workplace, though perhaps they should be. Even leading a coworker by the hand away from trouble is probably frowned upon. In short, you rarely deal with unruly adults in any of the ways you deal with unruly children. Why not?
Because children are not related to their parents in the same way adults are. My children are under my authority. They are not my peers. And one of the main lessons we must impart to our children is that there are authorities over them with the legitimacy to punish the body for serious violations.
See, you don’t spank to correct behavior, but to teach children that they are not the ultimate masters of themselves…a reality which only becomes more vivid as they age and, eventually, pass into eternity.
Thought of the Day 01.05.09
If you are among the despondent who have already set, affirmed, and broken your New Year’s resolutions, let me give you some words of encouragement. Don’t give up on your resolution just yet, but perhaps try a different approach.
For the next full month (until February) live exactly as you always do in the area you want to fix, but pay better attention to yourself. When you do the thing you want to quit, pay attention to how it makes you feel, and how strongly. When you suffer the consequences, do the same. In other words, for a month, don’t change anything, just observe so that you can make a better diagnosis of why you do what you do and, most importantly, what it will cost you to change.
See, the Bible tells us to count the cost before we make a commitment, and most people go wrong in changing their lives by not even taking seriously what that commitment will cost them, even if it’s worth it. So do this for a month and then, come February, you’ll know two things: whether you still want to make the change and what it will actually cost you to do so.
For the next full month (until February) live exactly as you always do in the area you want to fix, but pay better attention to yourself. When you do the thing you want to quit, pay attention to how it makes you feel, and how strongly. When you suffer the consequences, do the same. In other words, for a month, don’t change anything, just observe so that you can make a better diagnosis of why you do what you do and, most importantly, what it will cost you to change.
See, the Bible tells us to count the cost before we make a commitment, and most people go wrong in changing their lives by not even taking seriously what that commitment will cost them, even if it’s worth it. So do this for a month and then, come February, you’ll know two things: whether you still want to make the change and what it will actually cost you to do so.
Thought of the Day 01.02.09
Imagine that you are engaged, eagerly awaiting your wedding day. Now further imagine that your friends regularly point out flaws in your beloved, things that aren’t necessarily deal-breakers, but problems nonetheless. But your response is to either avoid the subject or deny them, proudly professing your devotion to him. What would such behavior reveal?
Essentially, it would reveal a deep doubt about your fiancée and a real fear that he is not the right man for you. See, if you truly believed he was right, you would be willing to admit his flaws and deal with them honestly. The fact that you avoid them exposes your deep lack of faith in him and your worry that your confidence is misplaced.
In short, this is precisely why we must investigate and confront any parts of the Bible which we do not like or which seem problematic. To avoid them is to admit we’re actually afraid (and therefore believe) that God isn’t who we says He is.
Essentially, it would reveal a deep doubt about your fiancée and a real fear that he is not the right man for you. See, if you truly believed he was right, you would be willing to admit his flaws and deal with them honestly. The fact that you avoid them exposes your deep lack of faith in him and your worry that your confidence is misplaced.
In short, this is precisely why we must investigate and confront any parts of the Bible which we do not like or which seem problematic. To avoid them is to admit we’re actually afraid (and therefore believe) that God isn’t who we says He is.
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