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Listening or Labeling?
You don’t need to live very long before you find someone that you disagree with. We all have a lot of different opinions about a lot of things . . .
from the clothes you wear,
to the car you drive,
the coffee you drink,
the music you prefer,
the movies you watch,
the authors you read,
the candidates you vote for,
the causes you believe in.
Preferences. We have a lot of them. And there are preferences in theological viewpoints as well.
But the question is, how do we handle others within the family whose theological opinions or preferences we don’t share? I’m not talking about core theological truths that are the foundation stones of the Faith (1 Cor. 15:3-8). I’m talking about issues we disagree on because there is latitude in one’s understanding of what the Bible teaches on a variety of issues. Would that it were all simply “black or white” and “yes or no” kinds of answers. “It all depends . . .” is an unnerving response for many who embrace a Christian worldview and who rely on the authority of the Bible.
Unfortunately, what often happens is that rather than listening well, people start to label those they disagree with. These kinds of labels divide. They are like fences and walls constructed with theological barbed wire strung across the top. They are designed to prevent anyone on the outside from even questioning the validity of the positions held within.
The result?
Divisiveness. Disconnection. And all meaningful communication within the family of believers comes to a screeching halt.
Sometimes the best thing is to keep our mouths shut and to open our ears to listen intently to those who have a difference of opinion or interpretation of a debatable text. And trust me, if it’s one thing that seminary training opens your eyes to is that there are plenty of debatable texts.
That doesn’t mean the Scriptures are unreliable. It does mean that we must major on what’s major and minor on what’s minor. And where do most divisions focus? On the minors.
Divisiveness is a scheme of the Evil One (2 Cor. 2:11). Dialog and debate are not (Acts 17:16-24). We should extend an invitation to respectfully dialog with brothers and sisters within the family, as well as to engage in meaningful dialog with those outside of the family of faith.
Listening more and labeling less will go along way to help one another grow within the community of faith.
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This is also true in most life situations. Division and arguments between friends, family members, etc. are usually over something minor within the context of something major. Whatever should be the major focus gets lost in squabbles over something minor.
Unfortunate, but so very often true.
forgive and forget even the comment that forgive 70*7 per day