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Being Right

Most who have been through public school know of the smug self-satisfaction of raising one’s hand and being praised for having the “right” answer at one time or another. For example knowing that the Normans defeated the Saxons at the battle of Hastings in 1066 is “right” but of little value unless included in larger questions such as the issue of “might makes right” where a band of invading thugs declare themselves the new owners of the land and the indigenous people their slaves.

Schools generally do not deal with larger issues where critical thinking could be applied to help students learn to navigate more important aspects of life. Rather, single simple answers to narrow questions define “being right”. Sadly many carry this simplistic idea of being right into life where other people are often seen as “right” or “wrong” as well. Often someone will select a denominational church because they are “right”. This is often determined by the similarity to the denomination in which they were raised.

A group that forms around “being right” often becomes insular to the point where there can be contention with other groups. Even within a particular group some can strive to be “more right”. This dynamic is ripe for accentuating pride and can be seen with the Pharisees described in the bible. The attractiveness of binary thinking is that is relieves one of the anxiety of any additional thought. The assurance that one is “right” and the implication that others are “wrong” can be appealing.

Being “right” carries with it the assumption that one has reached the end of the line. This is not the perspective to help a Christian to continue to grow and mature in his faith. Being able to question and share what is being learned is not welcome in a realm of “being right” because anything different has to be “wrong”. This can make the Christian who is seeking to learn and grow rather isolated.

Growth implies movement and even an occasional wrong turn. Being “right” is static and even if one has selected something closer to truth, still limits any further progress. How advantageous it would be for there to be a denomination that helps each individual grow as opposed to declaring that others have already done the “growth” so all one has to do is park themselves in it.

Being right is different that being of the truth. Being right is simply an alignment with something others have determined. Jesus said that all who were of the truth would hear his voice. Perhaps it is our immersion in classroom type instruction as opposed to the older apprentice type instruction that contributes to our desire to cling to doctrinal dictums. Whatever the reason, it seems that the joy of inquiry and real learning seems to have been replaced by the memorization of the thoughts of others.

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; -  Colossians 1:10

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

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