Doctrinal & Worldview arrogance

[panta dokimazete]

Howdy, I have been ruminating on perceived doctrinal and worldview arrogance and thought I would post a couple of observations I am thinking through.

Maybe get some Iron on Iron stuff going on here! Lord knows, I feel dull today!


It has been my experience that folk whom have thoroughly examined, deconstructed and reconstructed their worldviews tend to display a certain level of confidence in their positions that can be and are offputting to folks whom may not have experienced the same depth and breadth of self-critique.

I believe the core of this issue lies with post-modern thought that so pervades modern culture - I mean - who are you to present your position with such confidence and stubborn adherence? Don't you know that there is an exception to every rule? etc, etc...

I confess that some of this type thinking has infected me to some degree, but I think a little bit of healthy skepticism is a good thing - 1 Thess 5:21.

Of course, the folk that have penetrated their condition and worldview to great depth should be charitable to those whom may be beginning the journey or incapable of understanding deep truth.

It brings to mind the dialogues Christ had with different folk - he approached the Gentile one way, the Jew another, the Pharisee with bluntness, the average person with great grace...

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Not that anger is never appropriate, just very rarely.

I think we should be very careful when we express righteous anger...that it is not self-righteous anger.

Again - maybe this is no deep truth, but a couple of thoughts I have been considering.

-pax-

-JD


...spellcheck...I love you!

[Edited on 4-17-2006 by jdlongmire]

 

[BobVigneault]

You make some important points JD. Thank you for the good thoughts.

You have reminded me that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, it makes us cocky. It's more important that we be known than to know -
1 Cor 8:1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "œall of us possess knowledge." This "œknowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

...that we need to walk circumspectly,
Eph 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

...and that we ought to continually examine ourselves -
2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?"”unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

1 Cor 11:27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Lam 3:40 Let us test and examine our ways,
and return to the Lord!

Luke 6:39 He also told them a parable: "œCan a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, "˜Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,´ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

 

[panta dokimazete]

Ah! thank you for the Scripture!

Eph 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Particularly liked:

making the best use of the time,

and

Lam 3:40 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!

and

It's more important that we be known than to know -

-JD

[Edited on 4-17-2006 by jdlongmire]