Division

mondays are a big reading day for me. local news. national and international news. some of my favorite weblogs. early reading for sermon prep. monday morning insights from pastors, authors and organizations. even a look or two at how my beloved chargers did...

while doing some reading yesterday, i had an interesting thought about differences of opinion. people in our country are divided in their support of the president and our government. divided over war. divided over the economy. divided over issues of race and poverty and education. there is hostility. people on opposite sides of the divisions look at their opponents with smug superiority. "you'd have to be a complete idiot to think that...", they say.

it saddens me, but christians are no different. in spite of what Jesus commanded (and modeled), we struggle at unity. we are divided. divided over politics and war and race and education and the economy. we are also divided over denominations. divided over issues. divided over theology. divided over lifestyle. believers on opposite sides of the divisions look at their opponents with smug superiority. "you'd have to be a complete idiot to believe that...", they say.

could it be that none of us are as smart as we think we are? maybe we don't have a "deed of ownership" on the truth. maybe...just maybe...there are people who have totally different positions...totally different interpretations...totally different opinions than we do...and they are using their brains also!

maybe instead of shaking our heads in pitiful judgment, we could listen with compassionate understanding and respect. i'm not suggesting that there is no truth, but i am suggesting that none of us is as bright as we want to believe we are. seeking truth is a lifelong process. God's revealed word is our only concrete guide. i just think we need to walk the path without undermining the intellectual dignity of our fellow-travelers.