Back at school there was a group of us who observed an amusing trend among new students at the college - freshmanitis, we termed it, inflammation of the personality. It was observed that, as students join the new community context, it was frequently the tendency to take whatever they "are" and become more of that. Musicians painted their fingernails silver (where was the rule that said you shouldn't?). Iconoclasts began riffling through the handbook looking for rules to intentionally break. Student leaders tried to rally the troops around the cause of creating and internet cafe ambiance in the little food counter alternative to the cafeteria.
Aspiring theologians began heated debates about reformed theology with people who probably didn't care to listen. The laid back types looked on from afar rejecting it all with lack of interest that bordered on anger.
It all was the usual multiplied by five - add zeros as appropriate.
All of this within the first 24 hours of arrival on campus and slowly trailing off towards the end of the freshman year. Personally, I was all of the above - a brainiac with leadership skills, theological training, and a subtle flair for the arts run amok. It was not pretty.
Somewhere along the line it occurred to me that we were amplifying our differences in order to create a name for ourselves as individuals. We all felt a need to be noteworthy in some way. So, what we were naturally, became what we were unnaturally for a year or so until things calmed down in those late teen angst ridden days.
I've been finding of late that political, artistic, theological, lifestyle, parenting, and employment opinions are getting a lot of airtime in personal conversations in the church - primarily when differences exist. Give or take, half the time the conversations are learning experiences, the other half seem to be residual effects of freshmanitis. Discuss, discuss, discuss, with no resolution and with much more interpretation of truth than application of truth.
Once (well several times - it took a while to sink in), I was told that an opinion offered before it was requested, a preference expressed before it was invited is often observed as arrogance - whether or not it actually is.
As cookouts proliferate this weekend, I am forced to wonder if the unbelieving souls who are in our presence look at us like a bunch of freshman trying to prove our mettle over burgers. I wonder if it speaks well of the church, of God's saving grace, to spend time tossing opinions back and forth in (even friendly) debate with no clear purpose to resolve and no clear expression of humility.
Being all things to all men, I think, may have an element of humility involved that prefers to lower the volume of an opinion in order to amplify unity under the cross. Context, as they say in theological circles, is king. And I wonder, even when a patently false opinion is shared, if there might be more to be gained by holding my peace than by rebuffing the error in the presence of an unbeliever. Laying down my preferences and being all things to all men in order that I may save some may frequently involve simply not responding.
If nothing else, holding that opinion back can be a great exercise in cultivating a realistic perspective of what my thoughts are worth. It cultivates humility - an area where I can always use some weeding and a bit of fertilizer.
6 comments:
Again, great post, Tim. Boy, do I remember those first few weeks of freshman year when I was trying out an exaggerated version of my over-opinionated, theologically-educated, vote-for-me-for-student-senate, self! Ahhhh! What a great illustration of our lifelong tendency to try a bit too hard to prove ourselves.
You really should write a book. I'm working on one myself and met with an acquisitions editor last week. It's not as hard to break through as I thought it would be...and you're a better writer! Do it!
"Go to Held!" was, if I recall, the campaign slogan. Nice.
It crossed my mind to include something about silver star stickers worn as a fashion accessory, but I held off...for now!
Thanks for the encouragement Rachel. Before I pursue a book, I think I need to redevelop the discipline of writing regularly and spending time making it worth reading. That's one of the primary purposes of The Dog-Eared Mug. If we get a large enough audience and I hit my stride again, a book may well happen - I'd love to do it.
Realistically, it might be another year or two or three. We'll see what's in store.
Hey bro, loving your blog! I can honestly say I am so sorry you experience such "discussions" with no apparent "solutions" in sight. I am grateful to say that I have not experienced that in the circle of friends I run with at TFC BBQ's. I do, of course realise, that you and I probably have different groups of people that we mainly associate with, as I tend to associate with the newer, non-memebers (or newer members), and I suppose you, as you grew up in the church, hang with the longer term members.
I wonder if what I am seeing is a newer, more broad-minded culture taking root in the chruch, as these newer people feel enlightened by each other's journey's, viewpoints, and often find ourselves respecftul of the other person's opinions, regardless of how off-base they may be*. I have had a roomful of people roaring with laughter when I shared my opnions of how I feel about wal-mart (lower-case letters by design), and people respectfully correcting a friend for their liberal viewpoint on historical matters (she doesn't beleive man ever actually landed on the moon)...
The point is, no one is trying to win an argument, or "preach" at anyone, but are instead growing together in light of God's grace, mutual care for each other, and a growing understanding of the gospel - whether a believer or not. It is my prayer that this emerging culture takes hold in our church, and becomes standard for how we fellowship with one another. For the time being, I am thrilled to be a part of this growing (both numerically and spirtually), vibrant, and yes, fun as heck group. Shalom to you Tim.
*I do, however, lovingly correct people on faulty theology and belief systems, as I want them to grow in displeship.
Gregory
Oh, and heavens forbid, please do not confuse "emerging" with "emergent"! :)
thanks for the input, gregory. always very much appreciated.
perhaps it's a matter of perception. i could be entirely mistaken - always a distinct possibility.
but no, i'm not talking about the more "mature" Christians that i've been involved with here in the church for an extended time. in fact, some of these conversations are ones that have prompted the same sense in me that you'd mentioned the other night - that points of divergence are being dwelt on more than points of agreement. i think under the surface of things in some of those conversations that you've been having, you may have come away with a slight sense along the lines of the one that i came away with.
perhaps, perhaps.
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