I've had this post's topic in my draft folder for quite a while. I simply haven't been able to put my finger on how to word it or how to put my ideas together the best way. Until now.
One thing that has bothered me for a long time in the New Calvinist movement is the certitude that is so widespread. Certitude is an absolute certainty about something. And it's not that any of us aren't certain about our beliefs; we are. I'm certain about everything I believe, but I also know that I'm wrong about quite a few things. I simply haven't discovered what those things are yet. If history (my history) is any indication, I will discover a number of things over the next few years that will cause me to change my view about a number of things. The next few years after that will produce the same thing. As iron sharpens iron, I will become sharper because I will allow other iron to sharpen me.
The certitude in the neo-cal movement is something that takes on a different aura. Many have become so certain about what they believe - all that they believe, and that they are certain about all things - that they have prevented themselves from learning truth. They are so certain about their whole system, they can't learn anything new. Anything new outside of their system, that is. It is true that they continue to learn, but they seem only to be able to learn new things that already fit within the system. Their system.
I think this is what I was getting at when I wrote my post titled, "If Iron Sharpens Iron, Then Why Is The Reformed Drawer So Full Of Dull, Rusty Knives?"
She nods yes!
ReplyDeleteWhoah. Yes and yes.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you have struck on the reason St. Paul proclaimed Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection in everything he proclaimed. He understood that the further we are removed from the centrality of him the more life becomes a blurred vision. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis Certitude reminds me of the Communists' "Purity of Ideology", itself a retread of Citizen Robespierre's "Republique of Perfect Virtue". The Perfect System, the Perfect State, the Perfectly-Pure Ideology. Which can never be changed or added to, as It Is Perfect. And whose Perfect Omelette always requires breaking more and more eggs. Eggs like you and me. Ask any survivor of the GULAG or Cambodia's Killing Fields how far things can go to achieve That Perfection.
ReplyDelete"Jesus loves me, this I know...for the Bible tells me so."
ReplyDeleteThere are many intricacies that we may not be certain about. But that Jesus loves us and forgives us our sin can be counted upon with Rock solid certainty.
Thanks.