Symmetry 4.11.2024

    Symmetry is not a word that we generally use in describing the contents of Christian thinking. The model for Christian thinking we have been considering focusing on Biblical, Historical, and Theological reasoning is my attempt to bring a kind of balance to the reasoning process. Much Christian thought tends to be an unbalanced reaction to the fallen reasoning that we find in the culture around us. Because human reason is corrupted by the fall many Christians have concluded that a part of our reasoning process is to correct these real or perceived imbalances. 

    The consequences of this intellectual move can have at least two results. First, it results in a pendulum effect with Christian thinking oscillating between extremes. Secondly, it results in skepticism regarding other domains of knowledge, and skepticism is another word for doubt. The issue here is that Christians advocate the position that God is the creator of everything. Consequently, He has a stake in all domains of knowledge—even those (say quantum mechanics) not mentioned in Scripture. This puts Christians in the untenable position of trying to defend one belief (creation) at the expense of or in ignorance of another (an ordered universe.) 

    The complications of the twenty-first century do not allow us the luxury of embracing extremes when a basic understanding of other relevant knowledge may be essential for contextualizing the message in our current environment. Balanced Christian thinking privileges the Bible as the source of information for those matters the Bible directly addresses, uses it as a filter in considering other related concerns, and critically examines other domains of knowledge where the Bible is silent. Yes, silent. The Bible was ultimately written to speak to the Church throughout its generations, but it was written in specific times and places, (in history) far different from our own. 

    Consider an example. Our culture depends on science and technology to expand knowledge. There are certainly technological concepts in play in the Biblical text. In the book of Judges for example we are told specifically that Sisera, who commanded the Canaanite army had at his disposal 900 iron chariots, the implication being that his iron-age army was stronger than Deborah and Barak’s bronze-age army. However, the velocity of technical change in Canaan was certainly not on par with the global technopolies we face. As a New Testament example, Paul was certainly able to take advantage of Rome’s advanced transportation system, which was still not so complex as contemporary air, sea, and land travel between modern nations situated on then-unknown continents. So yes the Bible describes certain events, concepts, or trends that have some commonality with what we experience. That does not mean that we can turn to Judges 4 and use it as a model for navigating technological change in the twenty-first century. 

    This may sound like a retreat from Biblical fidelity. It is not. It is a common-sense, and Biblically appropriate approach to the many areas of knowledge that, despite the claims of many hyper-literalists, the Bible does not address. The question then, once again, is how do we develop and deploy a hermeneutic, fully cognizant of the Bible, History, and Theology, that has the balance that we need to proclaim Christ within our complicated and evolving culture? 

Boundaries

    It begins with the affirmation that Biblical hermeneutics should set appropriate boundaries. These boundaries require accurate translations of the text(s), valid understandings of the social and cultural backgrounds, and relevant cross-disciplinary clarification. To vacillate between cultural ignorance and cultural surrender regarding either testament skews the result of the exegetical process. Common sense, guided by a healthy dose of reality is what keeps us balanced. This balance requires humility, a reluctance to be dogmatic where we cannot, and a willingness to refrain from drawing inappropriate conclusions. 

    The central boundary we need to respect is the temptation to absolute certainty. Yes, there are many matters that the Scriptures teach as unashamedly true. Good boundaries remind thoughtful believers that what the Bible teaches and what we think it teaches, what we insist it teaches, and what we loudly argue it teaches, is not always the same thing.  Consider a couple of old, Restoration Movement mottos. 

Calling Bible things by Bible names. 

Where the Bible Speaks, we speak, where the Bible is Silent, we are silent. 

These are basically boundary markers, reminders that we must not overstate the explicit or implicit message of the Bible. It is, unfortunately, possible to be so focused on the “truth” that our overemphasis says more than the text does. Boundaries are the beginning of balance reminding us of our own limitations and our propensity to exaggerate. 

Critical Thinking

    If people really thought, I would not need to use a modifier (Critical) to describe it. Critical thinking is asking the right questions, in context, using the appropriate tools of inquiry.  That is what all thinking should be! Sadly, it is not. I am amazed at how ignorant many people are of easily knowable information, and how lazy some are about turning information to understanding. The number of smart people who do not know accurately what they think they know is staggering. Our nation, the world, and politics are polarized because knowledge has been sacrificed on the altar of power, deployed only to marginalize, and alienate. 

    Biblical knowledge should never be intentionally divisive. The truth itself may be rejected but this should be because someone hears it, considers it, weighs it, and rejects it, not because the presentation is biased. Critical thinking allows the inquirer to look at issues from multiple perspectives. It is based on intellectual honesty and a commitment to fairness not some unobtainable sense of objectivity.

    It is imperative for Christians to engage in the broad intellectual currents of our culture, to examine both the good and the bad. To assess the ongoing damage from sin and to appreciate the amazing diversity of beauty that is created by those alienated from the very Creator who filled them with such creativity. 

    Learn. Listen, view, read, evaluate, examine, consider, and test the various domains of knowledge. Do so from a solid basis in the teaching of Scripture, do so with an understanding of the history of knowledge. And review the impact that knowledge has on theologians trying to bridge the gap between the wonders of scripture and the wonders of the created world. 

Breadth

    We are all the offspring of specific times and particular places. Transcending the limitations of our culture and context must be intentional. You need to have that intent. Each of us needs to expand the scope of our media and information intake. Each of us tends to like the music we grew up with, read books that affirm what we already know, and enjoy visible media that creates a sense of comfort. The materials we read, the music we listen to, and the films and programs we watch can become echo chambers and the seedbed of confirmation bias. In other contexts, this kind of insularity is called ghettoization. Ghetto’s trade homogenous comfort for reality. When we live in intellectual ghettos we become narrow, standoffish, boorish, temperamental, and arrogant. Just to be clear, Jesus was none of those things. 

    Broadening our horizons equips us to understand the various contexts in which we will be called to preach and teach the Scriptures. A broader appreciation for unfamiliar cultural expressions and  understanding other people and their native culture is not natural and requires us to be humble and accepting of others. If we remain in intellectual ghettos we eventually become ever narrower, to the point where we are insular, blind, and bigoted. Once again, Jesus was not insular, blind, or bigoted. Be like Jesus. 

    If you know the Bible, your own History, and are Theologically certain you should be comfortable rubbing elbows with those from different cultures and alternative religious traditions. Without balance, there is a good chance you will be an iconoclast whose certainty functions as a weapon. It is difficult both to “own” someone and serve them, to insult them and invite them to hear the Gospel. 

Conclusion. 

    Well, we all survived the Eclipse on Monday. I’m not actually surprised. There was a very vocal minority on the wackier side of the broader Christian community that used this beautifully creative act of our God to peddle conspiracy, mendacity, and…lunacy. Those who predicted the end or who vilify those who disagree with their narrow, egotistic, and nationalistic understandings of the Christian faith are a prime example of why we need balance. 

    Most of the Christians on the planet are not like us. Many of the most faithful in the broader Global flock come from different local and national traditions. They don’t speak English, they don’t read the King James Bible, and their traditions are 1,200 years older than our own. More than anything else symmetry is a matter of getting over ourselves. 

    You might be thinking, “What if I come into contact with something or someone that tempts me? What if I am shocked? Won’t this give Satan a toehold in my life? What if younger, more vulnerable people look at your plea for balance and find an excuse for heresy or immorality?” 

    To those questions, I offer this answer, versions of which I have used many times in many contexts. “Grow up, Get a job, and get over yourself.”  I’m sure that if Jesus had been around on Monday, He would have enjoyed the whole experience. I can imagine Him down by the Wabash, eating a sandwich and wearing those ridiculous glasses. I can hear Him asking where people came from and how they possibly found this little town. During His life, Jesus laughed and cried. He was filled with joy and anger. He spoke with kindness to the hurting and chastised the powerful. He knew the Bible. He understood His people’s history. He was able to debate theology. Above it all He was loving, kind, and good. Jesus lived a balanced life, and which changed the world. Perhaps it is time for us to look for the same kind of balance that Jesus demonstrated along with the grace, compassion, and love he had for every one of us.