In the last couple of weeks I have been reminded of the radical polarities within society, culture, and the church. I have especially noticed this when it comes to Christians trying to have conversations about theology and ethics.
We must learn to stop thinking from within the extreme positions of any given issue, and discover a third way. Continually responding to our brothers and sisters as if there are only two camps of thought is dishonest and destructive.
This is the way of politics, but it’s not the way of Jesus. The way out is through the practice of deep listening.
“Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.” Prov 18:13 MSG
There are many issues today that are threatening to tear the church apart. We can’t hope to overcome these challenges without learning to listen before we speak. This means that we come to the table in order to listen and learn.
We do not come simply to share our own thoughts and convictions, assuming that we know the other person and their journey. This will require humility and a desire to want to understand our neighbor for Christ’s sake.
Let’s remember that while some of us may have (or believe we have) a more pure & authentic understanding of Jesus than our neighbors, no one person or group has the corner market on truth and the fullness of Christ. We serve a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, cosmic Christ that can’t be contained in your (or my) theology or denomination.
Therefore, we need each other. We belong to each other (Eph 4:1-5). There is NO other way forward. The Kingdom is coming, and will come, through ONE Christ and ONE church (Jn 17:20-24).
After we have listened to the person from across the table, it is possible that we simply disagree on the matter. That’s fine, but at least we listened and sought the good of the other. We’re always seeking the good of the other. I think that’s what the third way of deep listening is all about.
Deep listening should always lead to a greater understanding and love for our neighbor, even if our neighbor turns out to be our enemy.
And in that case, we love them and pray for peace.
D.D. Flowers, 2014.
The Centrality and Supremacy of Jesus Christ 
February 10th, 2014 at 8:50 am
I had the opportunity to practice with a discussion at work about the creation-evolution debate by Bill Nye and Ken Ham. You are right about listening to understand people. Often their concern is not really an intellectual/philosophical one, it is personal. Until you can meet that need or answer that concern, the rest is just a debate.
However, there is also room for clear apologetics. There are those who are gifted as prophets (truth speakers) that easily discern between right and wrong. Their calling is to speak God’s truth. They must speak in love, for sure, but God’s truth is not always received well. Just look at examples like Jeremiah. Almost no one changed his/her life because of his messages from God (during his lifetime), but he kept declaring God’s Word.
So, yes, it requires listening and loving, both to God and to our fellow humans.
February 17th, 2014 at 10:38 am
May we strive to walk in this third way. Thanks for sharing David!