A Post to Think on...

“Don’t be quick to judge what you don’t understand.”

The words were given in a theology class. The warning was not permission for postmodern ‘anything goes’; it was a caution against curt dismissal of any position outside the one personally held.

The words have stuck with me;  they offer sharp insight.

I’ve observed human nature (my own included) is often quick to plant its feet firmly in a position (and this is called ‘judgment’) for a variety of invalid reasons:

1.      Stereotypes that may be true, but are just as often not
2.       Historical precedent (it’s how I’ve always thought, position always held)
3.       Refusal to think outside the box, because it takes work or involves risk
4.      Ignorance

Let me quickly assert that there are many non-negotiable positions in Scripture:  deity of Christ, sovereignty of God, sinfulness of man, justification by faith alone, the moral commands of God, etc.  I am not suggesting any of these (and other) pillars of truth be re-analyzed.

But in the nuances and application of Scriptural truth that are derived by implication, principle, and logical deduction: Don’t hold to more certainty than the Bible itself asserts.

And in this arena of personal convictions: don’t be quick to judge what you don’t understand.

Let me put meat on the skeleton by examining two examples:

Example One: Worship Particulars:

• ·         Style of dress
• ·         Musical style
• ·         Hand raising

Style of Dress: For some, a certain kind of clothing may represent respect, honor, appropriateness and dignity. For others, their heart is equally respectful, intending honor, and perhaps trying to avoid an impressive outward show by dressing differently and more unassumingly.  “One size fits all” is not valid in the dress code arena.  Skirt and pantyhose?  Jeans and a sweater?  Each can clothe a true worshipper.

Musical Style: For some, the gravity and serious intent of a song’s melody and message steer down a certain solemn path.  For others, the expression of gladness, passion, and praise embraces an upbeat tempo, percussion, and visible emotion.  Extremes in either direction can be eliminated through common sense and balance; insistence on one as intrinsically superior is presumptuous.  

Hand Raising:  For some, images of showy distraction and emotional excess mark this activity, and its connections to charismatic theology question its practice. For others, heartfelt worship overflows in suitable (biblically-precedented) raising of hands as a natural expression of one’s joy and praise.  Is there room in one assembly for both to coexist?

I recognize and affirm that leadership in any given church context must make its determination of where to land in the worship style landscape. This is the rightful governance of leaders.  Further, this decision will not meet with the approval of every member in its assembly, as people are different.   The goal is not to please everyone (even if this were possible).

Understandably, leadership will have chosen their particular worship-style parameters for some very good reasons: they believe it best represents a worshipful environment, accomplishing its goal for the gathered assembly.  Conversely, exclusions of aspects deemed unhelpful in their judgment will also occur.  This is a legitimate part of the decision-making process.

The error, I’d suggest, for leaders or any of us, is the belief  that there is moral (right/wrong) implication in an assembly selecting differently in this area of worship style.  Here we can be quick to judge what we don’t understand.  In other words, we assume all are impacted in the same way, and we dismiss the possibility that others may be impacted differently than we are.

To US a different style is unhelpful, therefore, this different style is unhelpful to ALL.

Is it possible we judge what we do not understand?

Outside of this worship style discussion, I have to continually apply this in my own life in areas where I see others choose, act, or live differently than has been my own experience.

Example Two: Personal Particulars

•         I try not to judge one who hasn’t read a serious book in eons but spends hours on Facebook,    Pinterest , or reads boatloads of fiction.  (How do you hope to expand your mind, increase your knowledge of God, fight off intellectual laziness?!)
•         I try not to judge one who spends nearly every waking hour with her kids (or her job…or her to-do list)  and yet hasn’t been on a date with her husband in ….how long?!!
•          I try not to judge one who easily spends hours discussing the minute facets of her hobby/ interest/ obsession but is uncomfortable or silent in any discussion about God.
•          I try not to judge the one who appears to have unseemly regard for a woman’s feelings, the legitimate function of emotions, as if they are to be avoided, ignored, or exorcized, who seems to disdain this God-given aspect of personhood .

Likely there is something I don’t understand in what is going on….perhaps I am missing some piece of key information that would provide insight and explanation.  I leave myself in a close-minded rut if I dismiss or judge them based on my own experience in these areas.  (Not to mention a notable absence of grace in my view of them…or possible self-righteousness as I consider my judgement superior.)

And in doing so, I lose opportunity to interact, influence, or learn from them myself.

“Don’t be quick to judge what you don’t understand.”  How is that lived out for you?