It appears to be contrary to our nature to invite criticism. I know I don’t like it when someone points out an apparent or potential flaw in my thinking. None of us want to think that we may be wrong. In fact, we go to great lengths to protect our perceived ‘rightness”. Of course, this may be one of the great ironies of the day.
Over the past several months I’ve had an ongoing conversation with a friend.. Our conversation (carried out on line, through email and Facebook) can get pretty contentious at times but usually ends (for the time being) with a smiley face or a light-hearted bit of humor. This is, of course, necessary to express the emotion that is undetectable in this form of communication. At that time the conversation ceases until the next opportune time.
The contentiousness comes from the fact that most of our stated positions on many subjects are polar opposites. It is easy to see why this is so, given the fact that his positions are from an atheist/agnostic perspective, while mine are from the perspective of a Biblical Christian. It is not difficult to see why we don’t agree on most subjects. I have to admit that I can get pretty defensive at times, as does he. Over the course of these conversations there has been the opportunity for both of us to clarify definitions. There are times when I paint science with a critical brush that is too broad, and he is quick to point this out. There are other times when he paints Christianity with that same brush. This is often from whence the defensiveness originates.
One of the most irritating references he would make was to use the Westboro Baptist folks out of Kansas as a representative of Biblical Christianity. I remember the first time he did it I wanted to jump through the screen, grab him by the throat, give him a good shake, and scream, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!” Clearly this reaction would have been wrong on several levels, not the least of which is the fact that my friend is considerably larger than I am which, I’m sure would have resulted in my losing that “argument”. But this is not the reaction that stirred my thinking.
My emotional reaction to my friend’s characterization was born out of ignorance. I “knew” his reference was wrong, but in reality, I didn’t have a cogent reason. At the moment I just “knew” that the characteristics of this group were not consistent with what I “knew” to be Biblical Christianity. However, it wasn’t until just recently when I was doing some research on another subject that I came across the support for the position I “knew” to be correct.
The point of this piece is not to make an argument against Westboro Baptist. Rather it is, in my round- about way, to address our instinctive objection to anything that is of a critical nature when talking about our beliefs. Most of us are far more comfortable talking to “the choir” than we are defending our positions to “hostiles”. I know I was. That has changed significantly
As a Biblical Christian, my “marching orders”, my standard of living and thought are in the Bible. When it comes to the subject of defending the faith there is no more clear a Scripture than 1 Peter 3:15 “…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” The conversation with my friend (as well as several other similar conversations) has done more to show me how lacking I have been in applying this verse than anything else I can remember.
The middle part of the verse is the easiest, and if it stood alone would certainly encourage our natural defensive reaction to any critique of our thought process. However, keeping it in context with the rest of the verse is where the true meaning comes into play. The last part of the verse, “…yet with gentleness and reverence,” takes this verse in a whole different direction, and one that is infinitely challenging to the typical emotion of a debate or conversation of any depth. How in the world are we to defend our faith with gentleness and reverence when so often the challenge to that faith is so offensive and hurtful? This is the most difficult part. Certainly, we can grit our teeth and put on a smile and speak softly our response, but is this really what the “new man” in Christ is called to do, pretend? It is the first part of the verse that is the most difficult, “…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts”.
It is when we sanctify Christ as Lord that our instincts change. It is when we sanctify Christ as Lord that we will be more likely to think as He did. One of the things that came to mind just recently that spoke to both the Westboro issue and the “with gentleness and reverence” part of the I Peter passage was Christ’s purpose in coming. John 3:17, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” I learned this verse when I was five years old along with the verse before it. I’m kind of ashamed to say that I only recently have begun to see the practical applications of this verse. Our message to the world is not one of condemnation, but one of salvation.
It is unfortunate that in the “sound bite” world in which we live, it is a rare thing to have a conversation of any depth or length. As much as I love the many modern methods of communication, one of the down sides is that they have shortened our attention span. If we can’t win an argument in a sentence or two, we lose patience. If a “key” word is spoken that would even suggest our position on a subject, we will be broad-brushed, or we will broad-brush, and the conversation, for all practical purposes, will end. This is not the way of Christ. Modern communication methods are to be tools, not standard setters.
Invite criticism. Sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready. “Chance favors the prepared mind”. Also, the next time you face criticism, listen carefully. Take a deep breath. Pause to think. You may actually learn something. You may have the opportunity to teach.
1 Timothy 1:16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
To be continued…