Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Stupid Arguments
I don't know why, but the level of arguing at my house seems to have increased over the summer. Maybe it's just that I'm around the kids more during the summer, so I notice more. Or maybe it's just that they have been hanging out with each other 24/7 for the last three months, and that is really getting old.
Whatever the reasons, there are time right now that I feel like my brains are going to ooze out my ears. What is really frustrating is the subjects that they argue over and the content of their arguments. They currently argue over stuff that does not matter one bit. Who cares whether one soda is better than another or if we went to the amusement park last week or the week before or if we watched this movie or that movie last night, or a hundred other arguments that really don't matter? The kids fight over stuff that, even if you win the argument, you really haven't won anything.
The second thing that is frustrating is the content of their arguments. They each state their position, and then, the argument generally goes something like "Nuh-uh!" "Uh-huh!" "Nuh-uh!" "Uh-huh!" ad infinitum. There is absolutely no hope of the discussion getting anywhere. The only choice for them is to get louder stating their point, whether it be "Nuh-uh!" or "Uh-huh!"
I am really frustrated with the Southern Baptist Convention right now for the same things happening. There are arguments going on right now about things that do not matter and for which there does not appear to be a willingness, from at least some, to have any kind of meaningful conversation. There are arguments right now over the use of alcohol, private prayer languages, expository vs. topical preaching. And the arguments so often degenerate into "Nuh-uh!/Uh-huh!" kinds of arguments.
What I want to say about each of these subjects is "WHO CARES?" They are meaningless arguments that don't matter at all when it comes to the task we have been given as a church. When will we start focusing more on fulfilling the Great Commission and less on who's in control and who's right or wrong over arguments that don't matter?
The Conservative Resurgence is over. We "won." We all believe the Bible. We all accept it as the inerrant, infallible, inspired word of God. Now, the question is, do we accept it as the all-sufficient guide for everything we do and do we accept its authority to govern our actions? If we do, then there is certainly plenty of room in our Southern Baptist family for differences of opinion. But those differences do not need to become dividing lines. Just like in a family, you have to accept that we won't agree on everything, and that's okay. Let's stop fighting over stupid arguments and get on with the work of reaching the world for Christ.
Whatever the reasons, there are time right now that I feel like my brains are going to ooze out my ears. What is really frustrating is the subjects that they argue over and the content of their arguments. They currently argue over stuff that does not matter one bit. Who cares whether one soda is better than another or if we went to the amusement park last week or the week before or if we watched this movie or that movie last night, or a hundred other arguments that really don't matter? The kids fight over stuff that, even if you win the argument, you really haven't won anything.
The second thing that is frustrating is the content of their arguments. They each state their position, and then, the argument generally goes something like "Nuh-uh!" "Uh-huh!" "Nuh-uh!" "Uh-huh!" ad infinitum. There is absolutely no hope of the discussion getting anywhere. The only choice for them is to get louder stating their point, whether it be "Nuh-uh!" or "Uh-huh!"
I am really frustrated with the Southern Baptist Convention right now for the same things happening. There are arguments going on right now about things that do not matter and for which there does not appear to be a willingness, from at least some, to have any kind of meaningful conversation. There are arguments right now over the use of alcohol, private prayer languages, expository vs. topical preaching. And the arguments so often degenerate into "Nuh-uh!/Uh-huh!" kinds of arguments.
What I want to say about each of these subjects is "WHO CARES?" They are meaningless arguments that don't matter at all when it comes to the task we have been given as a church. When will we start focusing more on fulfilling the Great Commission and less on who's in control and who's right or wrong over arguments that don't matter?
The Conservative Resurgence is over. We "won." We all believe the Bible. We all accept it as the inerrant, infallible, inspired word of God. Now, the question is, do we accept it as the all-sufficient guide for everything we do and do we accept its authority to govern our actions? If we do, then there is certainly plenty of room in our Southern Baptist family for differences of opinion. But those differences do not need to become dividing lines. Just like in a family, you have to accept that we won't agree on everything, and that's okay. Let's stop fighting over stupid arguments and get on with the work of reaching the world for Christ.
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