From a certain point of view

Many of us remember that famous line in the Star Wars Trilogy where Obi Wan Kenobi is justifying lying to Luke about his father and says, "So what I told you was true, from a certain point of view." I think must of us felt a slight tinge of conscience and had a shy smile because Obi Wan's actions were not far from our own.

I recently watched the movie Vantage Point. The movie is not on my top ten list, but it offers an interesting perspective, or multiple perspectives on the key events in the film. It reminds us that at any given time we may be missing valuable pieces of information that can have a significant impact on the truth. That particular truth scares me. I am weak, fallable and at times just plain lazy. When it comes to the everyday mundane aspects of life being 60% accurate, or 75% accurate is probably alright, but we all know instances where miscalculations have cost people there lives (misjudging an amber light at the intersection, or the strength of the tide at the beach).

What about our spiritual lives? Is someone's opinion on a matter sufficient for how I live my life? Can I afford to entrust my eternal well-being on the scholarship (or lack of scholarship) of someone else? I was reminded recently that we all have different opinions on certain topics. Some of those opinions are studied and well-researched, others are the result of emotion, or people just "shooting from the hip." It really doesn't matter whether someone else's approach to eternal matters is well-studied or not, what matters is how I arrive at truth.

When the day comes that I finally dance off this celestial globe and step onto eternity's shore, God isn't going to ask me what the priest or pastor thought I should be doing. He isn't going to care what the teacher had to say in my Bible class - ultimately I am going to be asked what I did with the information and instructions he left for ME.

Maybe I am just a little too bold, or too arrogant, but I think in most cases I can figure things out for myself. The Bible isn't all that difficult to understand if we read it in context and with an open heart and mind. We tend to get weighted down in the small details and miss the big picture. What are we doing about the love of Christ, the sacrifice for our sins, and our responsibilities to our fellow man? We can spend hours debating Paul's thorn in the flesh, or hours serving our fellow man?

Do yourself a favor today. Read something out of the Bible and find some positive application in your own life. That will do more to make you the man or woman you want to be than all the opinions in the world - of course that is just my point of view.

Legalism Run Rampant

There is no question that at times I struggle with authority. I am not particularly fond of rules and regulations and I probably view far too many things in this life as "suggestions."  My rebellious nature covers all but one area of my life - that is my view of Biblical Authority. The Bible is God-breathed, inspired, infallable and innerrant - of this I have no doubt.

My problem isn't with the Bible, it's laws or precepts, but with the individual's interpretation of the Bible. Most of you recall the passage, "no prophecy of scripture is given for private interpretation..." (2 Peter 1:20), still we insist on making silly, foolish laws that suit our own personal interpretation. "You have to wear a tie, if you are serving the Lord's supper" or "raising your hands in prayer or song is a distraction to other worshippers." I could start a lengthy list of all the foolish laws and rules we make that suit our personal preference for worship, for Christian living, for personal conduct, etc.

Most of those objections begin with I THINK, "I think God wants us to give him our best," or "I don't think a Christian should . . ."  We all have opinions, but when we begin to subtitute those opinions for law we run into problems.  I can hear someone right now thinking, "well God does want our best."  I have no argument with that, it is our opinionated application of that belief that usually gets us into trouble. Our opinion of what is best is an arbitrary standard. God on the other hand is looking at my heart, which to be perfectly honest is of much great concern to me than men's opinions.

The problem arises because of our applicaiton of Christian liberty. I want this liberty extended to me when I seek to "work out my own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12), but I am reluctant to let my brother or sister do the same. I don't trust their judgment, reverence or interpretation of the scriptures. Even worse, I don't respect those areas that do allow us to exercise personal choice.

We all have a lot of burdens we carry in life. I pray we will be cautious not to add to another's burden by heaping on them laws, rules and opinions that they cannot bear.

Pick your battles

A lot of my posts don't sit well with some people. I have had to come to terms with the fact that if I speak my mind, some people are not going to like what comes out. I can live with that! There were times (especially when I was in full-time ministry), I was too eager to please others. I realized I actually did people a disservice by not speaking out on some issues.

How do you reach a point where you can throw caution to the wind and say what you believe? In some jobs and some circumstances it is very difficult to be true to what you believe. For example:

• Is it a sin for a Christian to have a glass of wine at dinner?
• Is Sunday night service a tradition that needs to be reviewed, perhaps even changed?
• Is it wrong for a Christian to be pierced, tattoed or dress in an alternative (yet modest) way?

Now the fun begins. I believe these questions can be answered through some of the following observations. How do we draw our conclusions and how do we impose them on others?

1. Is the topic one that has a clear biblical teaching. Is there a "thou shalt, or thou shalt not...?"
2. Is it a topic that is a "principle" teaching. In other words do certain principles of godly living apply that help us determine an appropriate action or behavior?
3. Is it a matter of judgment and opinion? If so, is there more than one right answer?

How we view topics such as these are important, not only to determine what we believe in relationship to our Christian walk, but also in how we tend to judge other people. I know those who judge others for homeschooling, or not homeschooling; for letting their kids get pierced or tattoed; for choosing a family outing over attending a gospel meeting (I know, I have gone to meddling).

I still have to pick my battles. Some topics are not worth the division and pain they will cause if the questions are raised. Sometimes I choose to fight because others are being judged and criticized for topics that are clearly matters of opinion.

Now, I would truly love to hear what you think?

Objectivity

Objectivity: "the expression of or dealing with facts in a situation without the distoration of personal feelings."

I look at that definition and ask myself, "Is that really possible?" Can I truly divorce my feelings, experiences and personal bias from any situation. Without sounding like some raving, liberal lunatic - isn't there a sense of subjectivity to every situation?

We are never free of our own experiences, study or influences. In raising children, my philosophy is directly related to a few important factors: 1) How I was raised as a child; 2) The things I have read and studied through the years; 3) The experiences I have in dealing with situations involving my children. My approach to raising children is highly subjective and yet I have strong feelings that I am right!!!

I guess that I will have to take issue with Merriam Webster. His definition says that objectivity is dealing with facts without the distortion of personal feelings. I am of the opinion that personal feelings (and experiences) are not a distortion, but a gift from God. My life has been molded and shaped through those feelings and experiences. I have learned hard truths through the the school of hard knocks. While there are situations that I cannot provide imperical evidence to support - I know, through experience and feelings that my decisions are sound.

So, next time someone tells you their objective opinion (a contradiction in and of itself), ask them what shaped the advice they are giving? Is it based on absolute, unequivocal fact; or is it the culmination of a lifetime of experiences and learning?