And the Answer Is…..C.
January 11, 2010
Dear Friends,
The book of Proverbs famously says “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Pr. 27:17 NIV) This maxim suggests that it is possible for mutual improvement through discourse that would include disagreement.
The clash of two equal metals can produce a sharpened edge. It can also produce some sparks. Iron, being an especially brittle metal, can break if no care is used in the sharpening process. It is very interesting in a study of the ideological controversies of the Bible that many times these clashes of iron didn’t produce a sharpened edge, but a pile of argumentative fragments.
How many times do we read in the Bible where two groups were created and neither was right? Extremes beget extremes. Controversies often cause us to take our eye off of the ball so to speak. Time and time again, for example, the people came to Jesus and presented him with a question and said pick A or B. Jesus picked C. Let’s take a look at a few examples.
The first century Jewish community had two particular views of divorce. The school of the rabbi Shammai said that a man could divorce for marital unfaithfulness. Rabbi Hillel said that a man could divorce for any reason. When the Pharisees approach Jesus, they ask the following question with an implied A or B answer: “Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” (Matt. 19:3 NIV) In other words, they are saying to Jesus “Can a man divorce for A) any reason or B) only marital unfaithfulness?” Jesus responds with C – “don’t divorce”:
At the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate. (Matt. 19:4-6 NIV)
The disciples are so shocked by his “C” answer that they say “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”
In another incident, men come to Jesus and ask concerning a blind man “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus took “C” again. His response was “neither.” The people had no chance of finding the right answer because they weren’t even asking the right question.
Here is what I think we should take away from this. Spiritually-minded discussions are helpful. If done correctly, disagreements can sharpen us. However, as human nature often does, disagreements can create schisms. Schisms create dishonest discourse and polarization. In the end, as is often the case, the two debating sides end up both being wrong. Whenever these set circumstances arise, a wise person will step back and survey the landscape with a more discerning eye. The spiritual man will look for a “C” answer. We should not allow people to limit our choices in an unspiritual discussion to A or B.
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. (Ecc. 10:10 NASB)
Have a great week,
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