In light of Wednesday’s post on Dobson and Obama I thought it would be poignant to post something I read today by Brian McLaren. At the same time I think I must also say that I do not think I was fair enough to Dobson. Some of the negativity in Wallis’ post was just as strong as the negativity of Dobson, so I apologize if I frustrated some of you by writing a post that tore down Dobson. He is a highly respected man, even by me. I have many issues with him, but his ministry has done, and continues to do, incredible things worldwide for Christianity and I respect him for that. My goal with this post is to simply bring to light the need for accountability in the way we throw around words and thoughts within Christianity.
In response to this week’s ongoing saga between Dobson and Obama, Brian McLaren has proposed a Evangelical Council for Rhetorical Accountability.
“The need for an ECRA became clearer than ever to me this week when a beloved elder in the Evangelical broadcasting community spoke out against Senator Barack Obama. What is evident to me in this interchange is not just a difference in policy, but also a difference in rhetoric, defined as how one attempts to argue and persuade.”
McLaren outlined 7 things we need to avoid in dialogue within disagreements.
- Inferring and Judging Motives (Or: Do not judge – Matthew 7:1)
- Scrutinizing the Biases of Others Without Scrutinizing One’s Own Biases (Or: Don’t remove others’ splinters before removing one’s own planks – Matthew 7:3-5)
- Logical Inconsistencies (Or: In your thinking, be mature adults – 1 Corinthians 14:20)
- Name-calling/Mockery (Or: Don’t stir up needless anger – Proverbs 15:1)
- Misrepresenting Your Opponent’s View (Or: Do not give dishonest evidence – Proverbs 12:17)
- Confusing Democracy with Theocracy (Or: Don’t pre-empt discernment by claiming “God says…” – 1 Thess. 5:20-22)
- Name-Appropriating (Or: Calling yourself something doesn’t make it so – 2 Corinthians 10:12)
I find it sad how quickly we all are willing to rip a part someone over email or blogging, but cannot take part in a decent conversation with that same person. I am guilty of some of these same things that McLaren has listed as ones to avoid. Many people think this “lets avoid disagreement” mentality of postmoderns is a negative thing. They see it as leading to relativism. I simply do not see that. We must find a way to have disagreements in loving ways. Not only does it allow our witness as Christians to be stronger, but it is completely Biblical.
