Re: An interesting article
Submitted by Ray on April 06 2000 09:14:42
In reply to An interesting article submitted by Dirk Gently on April 01 2000 16:00:31
|
Who says? Holben's answer: we do. Christians should "accept responsibility for thinking theologically about the major issues...we cannot leave serious moral reflection to the clergy or professional scholars..." Though not endorsing "well-meaning assertive ignorance," Holben would encourage informed laity to wrestle through to their own conclusions. I'll disagree. I think we need to spend less time trying to hammer together home-made opinions, and spend more time listening. "Think for yourself" is a delusion. ... From the little I've read of the book reviews and the writings here, it seems I would agree more with the author Holben and less with the reviewer, Frederica Mathewes-Green. Her style invalidates "thinking for yourself," seems to recognize no flaws in tradition, or way of calling into question traditional views -- and makes me angry! I'm not suggesting that tradition be considered lightly, but that it be considered, i.e., open to question! The sharp conflict over the issue (sexual orientation), seems to me, to be the Holy Spirit's way of saying to the Church, "There's something wrong here in your understanding of Truth that you should look at!" Thinking that God spoke through Biblical authors and prophets who didn't think for themselves and that God isn't speaking through laity who think for themselves is, to me, dangerous! Seems to me that there is a dire lack of discernment of the work of the Holy Spirit in all this debate over "homosexuality" -- particularly within the American Church, maybe just within the United States! And discounting all "thinking for yourself" as "home-made opinions" cheapens what it means to be human! Simply absorbing the ideas and values of society and tradition is the starting point of human understanding -- you receive first that which is passed along! Adapting those values and ideas is part of living as an adult human in a dynamic society. We seem to lack the skills for discerning Truth such as were employed by Jesus, Peter & Paul, and the early Councils of the Church in determing that in tradition which is worthy of holding onto and that which, for one reason or another, needs to be adapted -- consider healing on the Sabbath, circumcision, doctrine of the Trinity. I get angry when I hear the kind of talk in the article! I'd like to think it is a righteous indignation that concludes in "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they do!" But usually the anger is accompanied by more of the "They don't know what they do!" than by "Father, forgive!" At best it is: "Father, be quick to forgive them when they realize the harm they are doing to the discovery of your Truth and are ready to seek forgiveness!" Makes me want to read the book and see what the author is really saying! (Though just now I probably won't for sake of time and money and other pressing matters.) Ray |
Follow ups: