The Rants of Issachar
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Continuing my self indulgent Sunday posting...
What is a Christ-like tone for writing? As I read other people's blogs I'm sometimes struck by the petty vitriol of some of the postings. This makes me wonder if I unconciously do the same. (If you think that I do, please comment here and tell me so).
I write about politics. Politics tends to be combative and I am attacking ideas. I'm quite comfortable having my own ideas attacked, but am I attacking the people? How do I criticize an idea that I think is false and/or destructive while treating people as priceless creatures made in the image of God. Letting a destructive idea stand unopposed is not right, but it's even worse to mistreat human beings. How do I call a spade a spade when someone in a position of power does something wrong while loving that person?
I should always be honest, but if my honesty abuses people then my heart needs to change.
I write about politics. Politics tends to be combative and I am attacking ideas. I'm quite comfortable having my own ideas attacked, but am I attacking the people? How do I criticize an idea that I think is false and/or destructive while treating people as priceless creatures made in the image of God. Letting a destructive idea stand unopposed is not right, but it's even worse to mistreat human beings. How do I call a spade a spade when someone in a position of power does something wrong while loving that person?
I should always be honest, but if my honesty abuses people then my heart needs to change.
3 Comments:
Posted by: 
Criticizing or challenging the ideas or actions of an individual does not devalue them. It's like the old saying, "sometimes good people do bad things". Just because you can't get on bord with what someone says or does, doesn't mean you are not on bord with them as a person. I think it comes down to the intention in which you approach your arguments. And so my advice is to apply your critisims only to observable behaviors, and keep on lovin'
:)
Criticizing or challenging the ideas or actions of an individual does not devalue them. It's like the old saying, "sometimes good people do bad things". Just because you can't get on bord with what someone says or does, doesn't mean you are not on bord with them as a person. I think it comes down to the intention in which you approach your arguments. And so my advice is to apply your critisims only to observable behaviors, and keep on lovin':)
Posted by: 
GravesHi friend. Ouch. I'm a jerk a lot.
"if my honesty abuses people then my heart needs to change"
I agree with you, Christ spoke the truth in perfect love. He could have told the prostitute that she had defiled herself and was unworthy of living, but instead He asked where her accusers were and forgave her, and told her to go and sin no more.
I tend to take truth and beat people with it, as if everyone has to see the truth as I view it, and at the same time.
GravesHi friend. Ouch. I'm a jerk a lot."if my honesty abuses people then my heart needs to change"
I agree with you, Christ spoke the truth in perfect love. He could have told the prostitute that she had defiled herself and was unworthy of living, but instead He asked where her accusers were and forgave her, and told her to go and sin no more.
I tend to take truth and beat people with it, as if everyone has to see the truth as I view it, and at the same time.
Posted by: issacharlove the sinner... hate the sin... But what do I do to make sure people know that I don't hate them. Jesus pulled it off. I'm not that good at it...
issacharlove the sinner... hate the sin... But what do I do to make sure people know that I don't hate them. Jesus pulled it off. I'm not that good at it...
