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The Third Way
| There are two basic
ways one can respond when presented with a proposition. One can ignore
it or one can react to it. Reaction is usually a determination of
agreement of disagreement. In Christian circles reaction is sort of
like a military determination of “friend or foe”. Most Christians
prefer avoidance as there is less risk of personal discomfort.
Fights and even wars have broken out when reaction determines
disagreement. This is often because an “us versus them” reaction can
carry a huge emotional investment. The determination of “friend or foe”
also is similar to avoidance because it primarily revolves around
making choices to feel good. While these common responses to being
presented with propositions can apply to politics, food preferences, or
even sports teams, it is most applicable for Christians in the realm of
doctrines.
A third way to respond to a proposition is evaluative. Here right and
wrong apply less than if something is true or not. To consider
something “right” it simply has to agree with what one already thinks.
To be true, one has to see it as consistent with what understands about
reality. As an example, consider the evaluation of the proposition that
all life on earth evolved. If one has a moderate understanding of
biology, one might ask why there are no observable examples of
evolution today. One might ask how random mutations could contribute to
evolution when favorable mutations would involve hundreds or even
thousands of changes in one particular cell at the same time and it
would have to be a reproductive cell to be heritable.
The evaluative third way does not require a right or wrong conclusion.
One can remain skeptical or unpersuaded. One can even be open to
evaluating information that makes a proposition seem more likely. One
can understand how most in our society want to avoid any consideration
of doctrines or propositions. Our public education system has everyone
spend twelve years being told, “Shut up, sit down, and remember what
you are told long enough to pass the test”. This reflex to take in
whatever one is told as truth can leave people exceptionally vulnerable
to deception and reluctant to question or evaluate anything. Those
inclined more towards reaction can even demonstrate hostility to a
proposition that is inconsistent with what they have already taken in
as right.
Sadly most Christians have been influenced both by school and church
exposure to either avoid evaluation or simply to react to things as
either right or wrong. Critical thinking, evaluation, and even
questioning of any kind is often viewed with alarm. Satan has been
effective at using his systems to cripple Christians such that they
remain immature. Learning and growth require one to explore, question,
and evaluate. Curiosity, questioning, and taking the initiative to
follow a line of inquiry are dynamics of learning not often cultivated
in public school. In church circles there can be such a fear of being
wrong such that any inquiry is seen as dangerous.
Any parent that observes their child grow and learn can see the
mistakes, wrong turns, and errors their child makes as he learns. The
idea that a final package of complete doctrine bypasses the risks
associated with learning oneself may have good intentions, but can be
crippling. It can kill the learning that leads to Christian maturity.
By trying to avoid error, it causes it. |
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