You Don't ALWAYS Have To Correct Them

I am person who holds very strongly to certain convictions (especially those of a theological nature).  Beyond this, I have always been of such a personality that I truly enjoy a good debate.  If you are anything like me, then Michael Patton has some really good advice for us both.

In this blog post, he wisely points out that there is no biblical mandate to ALWAYS correct people when they are wrong.  Sometimes we are far better off to let others' theological errors go uncontested (at the very least for the time being) and simply listen to what they have to say.

Isn’t this the apologist’s mandate? Be ready . . . to give an answer . . . to everyone . . . who asks you. . . with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). Many of us lack the gentleness and respect part, but I am beginning to think that what we lack even more is the waiting for someone to ask!

Ninety-five percent of the time, people don’t really care what you have to say. It is during this time that we sit, listen, and love the person. If we do, then the five percent of the time that opportunity is truly present, we will be ready.

This is why I tell young theologians who are so passionate about theology to be passionate, yet calm down. Let about ninety-five percent of what you hear roll off your back.

Is it any coincidence that on the same day that I am preparing a Sunday school lesson on Jesus' words from Matthew 5:7, ("Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."), I came across this blog entry? Perhaps the Lord is trying to teach me something.

Are You Too Post-Evangelical/Missional/Post-Emerging?

C. Michael Patton has a good blog entitled Parchment and Pen. He often deals with weighty theological matters, and while I don't agree with his conclusions 100% of the time, I usually do. And even when I don't, I find Patton helpfully hought-provoking.

Sometimes though, he posts thoughts that are a little more on the lighter side of things. One example of this was the other day when he published a list of the Top Ten Signs You Are Taking this Post-Evangelical/Missional/Post-Emerging Thing too Far.

My favorites were:

5. You have yet to read the book of Romans believing Paul was too modern in his thinking.

and

2. When someone calls out your name you get angry saying, “Don’t label me. Labels are completely unhelpful!”