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Openness and Inquiry

Most Christians today when hearing something other than that with which they are familiar can become guarded, fearful, and even angry. These are the reactions of immaturity. The person with mature faith may inquire as to why the other person holds a particular view or like Priscilla and Aquila offer to show a more excellent way. A pastor once commented that he received a phone call from someone asking what he thought the last element of the statue in the vision of Daniel was. He responded, Rome, at which point the caller hung up. The pastor lamented, “Don’t hang up, tell me what you think”.

I once had a bible student who asked why I presented a pre-tribulation rapture view. I explained using 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and connected it to 1 Thessalonians 5:9. I also said that if he had a different view, to make his case. By being open to other views and even looking at one’s present views, one may be able to take in that which would be edifying. One should not be open to everything, but open to truth.

Being open to truth requires the exercise of discernment that is acquired over time through the assessing if something that is presented is logical, biblical, and true. Even prior to skill development, one can recognize when something sounds fishy. For example, the selling of indulgences might only be accepted by the gullible and immature. Most others would recognize someone trading on their supposed “authority” to exploit the naive.

Openness without discernment is vulnerability and reflects immaturity;

Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

The solution to the problem of immaturity is not to close off any exposure to anything different, but to rather grow in understanding, discernment, truth, and wisdom. As one grows in maturity and becomes better able to assess that which one is presented with, there is often a corresponding increase in inquisitiveness. Being better able to assess truth, one can find an increasing curiosity for that which is true. This can seem disconcerting and even dangerous to those who prefer a state of immaturity. It is not unusual for tensions to increase between those who are maturing and those for whom such a process can be seen as alarming. This is accentuated when the immature person thinks he is mature.

The Galatians were open to new information and, being immature, they took in that which was false. Perhaps a lesson can be learned from the Galatians. They were persuaded that they could advance in their faith by performing works (following the law). This is a common mistake and the appeal is the feeling we can get in accomplishment. This exposes a common way we can be mislead, that of following what feels good. The immature are more vulnerable to this deception.

The first step to growth is recognizing one’s own immaturity. The second step is to consider new information with healthy skepticism and even invite a more mature Christian to share what they have learned. The third step is to evaluate one’s own growth to see if a “wrong turn” has been taken. Making and correcting mistakes is better than never growing at all.

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