Principle or Pragmatism

In a recent email from Ligonier Ministries, R C Sproul writes about “Principle vs Pragmatism“.  When I finished reading it I thought, “there seems to be something missing.” It did not seem reasonable to think the only task of the Board at a Christian institution “was to guard the priority of the doctrine of the institution.”  It seems the priority of the Board would be to guard the truth.

Truth is often both principled and pragmatic. Truth is many times at odds with doctrine. Even Jesus recognized that when he admonished his followers to exhibit a righteousness that exceed that of the religious teachers of the day (Matt 5:20). They may have had their doctrine correct, but it was far from the truth of what God was expecting.

Both Jesus and the apostle Paul were pragmatists. Jesus was fond of using very pragmatic ideas and illustrations (parables) to get his point across regarding truth and the kingdom of God. Paul, when necessary, found it both expedient and practical to become “all things to all men (1Cor 9:22).” Principles are great and it is wise to have them as life guides as we grow and develop. However, being pragmatic has its place as well. Holding to a truth without understanding why or what that truth means has little if any value. Seeking truth, even when it seems at odds with longstanding traditions/doctrines, means we are open to what God is saying – then, now, and perhaps in the future. That does not mean that God changes what is true, it simply means our understanding of what is true changes.

In a recent group discussion I introduced the concept of women in ministry. I asked the question why Southern Baptists are unwilling to have women in key positions of leadership, ministry, or teaching. One member of the group said rather bluntly, “they are legalistic.” Now that may be so. I, to some degree, suspect it is. However, other Baptist churches and other evangelical denominations have women in key positions of ministry. So is one position true over another? Or has one simply succumb to pragmatism – not enough men to serve, so recruiting women solves the problem.

I read recently regarding one man’s definition of philosophy – “everything is more complicated than we originally thought.” Truth is often more complicated than we think. Indeed, truth is truth but that does not mean that everyone or anyone possesses the foundation of truth. It might be true, that God created, but did he in fact create only as we understand it in the Genesis account?  Did he create mankind or a man and a women? If we hold to one position and new and credible information comes along, are we open to making a new decision regarding that truth? Do we hold to a position regarding the age of the earth as young, 10,000 years or perhaps less, when science seems to dictate that earth is much older than that.  Is science contrary to God? Will everything fall apart if the evidence is believed and the earth is a million years old or older?

Holding to principles is a good thing. Being pragmatic, when required, is also a good thing. If our principles are shielded with blinders and we cannot see new “truth” when it presents itself, does that mean the principle is flawed, our thinking is flawed, or there could not be “new truth”? Or, has the doctrine been set.  Growing in Christ and in the “knowledge of God” does not mean we hold to truth even when it is no longer true. Paul and Barnabas had that discussion with the leadership of the Church of Jerusalem regarding circumcision (Acts 11-15). Where would we be today if the Jerusalem council would have said, “We have principles! We cannot abandon circumcision and other aspects of the Law, it would be a violation of the truth.” I suspect the Christian landscape would have looked much different and Paul’s journeys scuttled. Instead, pragmatism was the order of the day, not in violation of the truth, but in furtherance of the truth.

High-horses might be good for riding over others, but getting bucked off is no picnic.

Politics and Faith

I’m listening to President Bush offer his farewell remarks to the nation. Many Americans and others around the world, have great disdain for him. But frankly, I have unmeasured admiration for him. It’s true he may have made mistakes, been given faulty information with which to make decisions and acted with less expediency than others would demand. But one thing I know. Since 9/11 I’ve felt safe and assured that I have a President who will not back down and not wait to take the offense against our enemies. Frankly, I suspect for the next 4 years, possibly 8, we’ll never see that kind of courage or sense that level of safety again.

He also talks about America’s “moral clarity.” As a man of faith, I believe he understands what that clarity means and looks like. Others, we’ll find, see moral clarity as situational and flexible – without absolutes and determined by an absence of faith. This will be never more clear than what will see happen under the current Democratic leadership.

I expect that what will happen in our future is that government will be more and more invasive in our lives. It will strive to set moral standards based on false beliefs and a distorted sense of reality. It will push faith to the background and moral relativism to the forefront. Without a doubt, we are not facing America’s finest hour in the months and years ahead. If we think our current economic crisis is the worst it will get, I suspect we’ll have a rude awakening to deal with.

In the days ahead, I suspect those of faith will be tested in ways never before seen in our modern times. My greatest fear is that I will not be equipped to handle it. That I may feel useless in the “fight.”

Father, I seek strength and wisdom for the days ahead.

Appropriate Training

It’s been my experience that different businesses approach training in widely varying ways. For example, some companies will hire and turn a new person loose. Then training (correct) only when they do something wrong. Others will provide a thorough and somewhat sophisticated approach where a person is provided not only the basics of good job performance, but also covering a variety of scenarios the person might encounter and the anticipated response.

Teaching someone a task compared to teaching someone a process or way of thinking require quite different methods. When teaching a task it is important not to assume the learner knows anything. When teaching a thought process it is important to approach the process based on different learning styles. Either way requires precise and consistent communication.

When the disciples came to Jesus on the mountainside, the scripture tells us that “He opened his mouth and began to teach them (Matt 5:2).” I suspect its not uncommon to just skip over those words without realizing their importance for what is about to happen. Jesus is about to begin teaching a new way of thinking, a new way of being, and a new way of understanding the Kingdom of God. He sets about this with words. Specific, concrete, and powerful words. Words that not only provide a means of conduct but set the stage for life altering thinking and becoming.

Throughout the “sermon” Jesus uses a specific vocabulary the stirs the imagination and sets the heart aflame. Words that challenge the status-quo, stretch the mind and push the edge of the envelope for previous understandings and actions. Then, once the “sermon” ends, he begins to show them how to put into practice what they have heard. Each parable, each miracle, each journey from town to town was an opportunity for fleshing out his words and offering them opportunity to demonstrate understanding.  It’s true, the disciples did not always get it right, but they did get it.

Its hard for me to consider how all this must have transpired and what was going through the mind of the hearers. Those on the edges what were they thinking? How were they hearing these words and what, if any impact would it have on their lives. Yes, they had concluded that he taught them “with authority.” But did they hear any of those words as directed toward them?  Could anyone sit within earshot of those life changing words and not be changed in some form or fashion.

The more I read that powerful “sermon”, the more I wonder if I am hearing it correctly. Hearing it in such a way that it transforms my thinking and my being.

Politics As Usual

Let’s see if I have this right. Obama’s choice for Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner can’t figure out how to do his own taxes or that of his house-workers.  Does that seem logical to anyone? And does that really seem like an “honest mistake” or “unintentional?”

If that guy were a Republican nominee you can bet your sweet bippy the Democrats would be raking him over the coals, instead, they seem inclined to sweep the issue under the rug.

My gosh, this is a man selected to run the Treasury of the United States and he skips two major lines on his tax forms!  What’s up with that?  I’ll tell ya what’s up with that – it’s politics as usual and Obama hasn’t even been sworn in yet!!!

Ask, Seek and Knock!

Its not unusual to hear comments and sermons on Matthew 7. It’s been my experience that most of those messages, usually centered around the context of the Sermon on the Mount, often break chapter 7 into segments that seem to have flow. More often than not, verses 7-12 are spoken of with little regard to the overall context of the sermon and consequently lose the flow. Usually, the verses are spoken of with regard to prayer and the requests and petitions we make of God.  That’s not incorrect per se, but it does seem a bit short sighted with regard to the context.

If we understand theses verses, those of the entire chapter, as a winding down of the “sermon” in its entirety, then it offers a glimpse of what may have been Christ’s true intent with these words. Having set the standards for what it means to be citizens of the kingdom with everything from personal attributes (beatitudes) to the challenge of forgiving it now becomes imperative to know how one acquires, maintains, and passes on (disciples) these qualities. It is through prayer. It is with asking, seeking and knocking that one finds both the source of these attributes and the means of fleshing them out.

When we realize this – or may I say – when I realized this and began to understand it, I soon found a new source of excitement and energy knowing that the focus is not that of a gimme prayer as it is a make-me prayer. The only way to gravitate and actuate the character expected as a citizen of the kingdom is through asking, seeking and knocking. Knowing that my Father, on a much different scale than earthly fathers who are “evil”, knows what I need before I ask him and is more than inclined to mold me and make me into a member of the kingdom that would bring him glory and honor. In fact, it is this kind character molding that – by God’s grace – will equip me to enter through the “narrow gate.”

I always enjoy finding new things in Scripture, but this is one was especially nice.  Now I must ask, seek and knock that I might find the strength and courage to grow as a result.