Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Am I becoming a relativist?
A friend posted on his blog that he wouldn't be attending The DaVinci Code becuase a church leader he admires told his congregation to abstain because it is such heresy that Christians should have nothing to do with it. Lee Strobel, on the other hand, says Christians should go to the film and attempt to engage seeker friends in discussion. Who's right? What's the right response to this movie?
Another friend thinks that Focus on the Family is the cat's meow. I'm not so convinced. Who's right? What the right take on Focus on the Family?
Someone believes that Sunday mornings are to be about Christians worshipping God. Our church believes that church is supposed to be for lost people seeking after God. Who's right? What's the right way to do church?
Someone believes that Christians should homeschool, because the public schools are junk. Other people believe that as Christians are children need to be in the public schools, influencing them for good. Who's right? What's the right way to educate our children.
Maybe this is a function of age, or maybe I'm becoming a relativist, or maybe I just don't have the energy to argue anymore, but in each of these I think that both sides are right. I really believe that the Holy Spirit will lead some people to abstain from The DaVinci Code, but I also believe that the same Holy spirit will lead others to go. Same with all the issues above. I believe that the Holy Spirit leads some people to become Republicans due to moral issues like abortion. But I also believe the Holy Spirit leads some people to become Democrats because of moral issues like capital punishment, care of the poor and environmental issues.
I'm not saying that every issue is "up for grabs," but I am saying that as Christians trying to navigate the gray area of living holy lives in a secular world, there may be more than one way to go about it, that is faithful to God.
Before you respond...read this first.
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7 comments:
Amen! I came from a church that their way was the only way when it came to gray areas (also in their traditions).
I love the church that God lead me to 3 yrs ago...Northwoods Community Church :)
Charlie, you have raised some good points and i agree with your stance-both sides can be right. It all depends on how you view what represents bringing glory to God. As long as one side does not rebuke the other, both should worship as they please. If Christians see The DaVinci Code, they should do so in effort to open the doors of possibility in the hearts of seekers-or do deepend their own faith and understanding by researching the Truth to quell ficticious claims.
Those deciding whether to homeschool or not should consider the social and leadership skills that can be gained while attending public school and the other opportunities available in this system. While you can shelter your children from worldy views in their youth, those same views will be present when they enter the "real world." Values can be instilled at home that are carried into and shared in public venues.
And as you state, Charlie, republicans may be labelled as being holding more strictly to Christian morals, I struggle with many of the decisions that negatively effect the ecosystems of God's planet.
At least we live in a country where we are still free to decide what we believe and are free to worship as we choose.
Yeah, it's tough. I just thank the Lord that all of MY opinions are right. I'm glad I don't have to wrestle with these tough issues.
Ok, not really. It's really hard though because everyone is drawing lines in the sand and taking sides. Just today I was approached by a member of BU's Common Ground (Gay,Bi,Transgender group) who asked me if I was gay, bi, or ally? Well, knowing what "ally" meant (support of homosexuality and gay marriage) I had to say, "Sorry, no." I felt bad saying it but they had painted me into a corner by making me choose sides and I didn't really have a chance to explain myself. "For us or against us" is a bad stance. Can we disagree without being enemies?
how about if i say i'm relatively sure there are some absolutes?
good post, although in most of the options i would argue that while there may not be a wrong way, there is a better way.
wisdom, pragmatism, relationships, and other factors should all be weighed in making decisions like this...
i find it interesting that most of the time in issues like you've addressed, the more conservative side will typically fall back into individualistic criteria while the other side will be more community oriented...
but that's just my opinion.
Great comments!
I do want to respond to one thing -- someone sent me a private email questioning where the "old Charlie" went -- who got fired up and passionate about stuff.
I think I'm still that guy, it's just the issues that get me fired up are different now -- and I rather have an intense discussion of the present effects of the kingdom of God, for example, than some of these gray area issues.
amen! good thoughts.
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