I posted a photo opposing the fundamentalist mentality (see below) and was, appropriately asked...What comes after Amen Here is one method. First... all of us must realize that fundamentalists, liberals, Christians, Jews, Muslims (whatever) all disagree WITHIN their various camps-- let alone with those in the OTHER camps. On a hundred important issues. The chance that your (our) theology is correct on all issues (unless you (we) are deluded) is zero. The entire issue of attempting to understand the entity (God) that made all of reality must be approached with TRUE humility. That being said...John Wesley had a (I am not saying THE) methodology that is of use here. Four poles must be held in tension with one another. All are important, none are elevated to the level of idolatry. They are... SCRIPTURE, TRADITION, EXPERIENCE, and REASON. These poles compete with one another and are dynamic and held in tension. Three are corrective of the one which is elevated too highly. Mind you, you and I will still be substantially wrong somewhere. But we will not know where. The best solution to this condition is to decide where you want to make your error. Because you WILL be wrong ....somewhere. My suggestion is that was all make our mistakes on the side of kindness, tolerance, and humility. We will be wrong in doing this, also. But it is safer.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 14:17:35 +0000