a title just doesn’t come to mind
I still have a list of things I’ve been meaning to write about, but at the moment only the last hour makes the cut. I stumbled on a couple of cool websites, which is rare, but aren’t worth links right now.
The most exciting news of the moment is that I might be a real band type band again soon. Yes, I have a permanent type gig with my Church in the youth praise band, which is awesome, but if you’ve ever done that you know it’s just not the same. Not that it’s not as good. But it’s much less original material and the rush of playing in front of people you will probably never see again. Not to mention that in one instance you’re preparing the ‘crowd’ and their spirit for the upcoming Word, whereas in a band band – you are the word. And then there’s performance versus ministry, and all that bunch of grey area. Gosh, I’ve brought up at least three things already that deserve their own book worth of discussion – so I’ll stop now.
Speaking of grey area though, I thought of something interesting today that never really hit me before. [Begin back-story] – working in a Christian environment, theological and philosophical and other-o-sophical discussions get brought up a lot, sometimes for fun, others for wisdom. Today someone asked “do you believe everything is black and white?” – as in to say “is there always a right OR wrong?”. [End back-story] To which my reply was short – “no!”.
I’ve never really thought of how I back that up, and I’m not even sure it’s scripturally sound. I did think for a few minutes though, and realized something (a reason for believing that there are grey areas, which I will repeat in the least educated way possible…
If God is a three person, trinity thingy, one person, all God, one God, three people, one person thing… I find it hard to believe that everything is always “black and white”.
If you absolutely, positively do not understand that, just think for a minute.
Done? Good. liar.
Now read…
If the creator of everything is something so far beyond comprehension, why on earth would everything He/It (I say ‘it’ only because of previous reference to “the trinity”) created be in a constant black and white? How could that be? And of course it absolutely could be. I mean, if He is above comprehension in the first place, who am I to think that the laws of the universe that He created would be comprehendible? Psh!
Like I said – I’m definitely not going on any Biblical standards or anything here. I just think that there are things, sometimes big things, in a “grey area”. I think that many situations in life should be taken on a ‘case-by-case’ basis. But before you think I’m super-liberal with my beliefs or standards, let me tell you that I do absolutely believe that there are many, many absolutes. Many things are absolutely wrong, or absolutely right. One thing that I do not believe falls into a grey area is abortion. [This is where I would normally say - in a sad but non-apologetic tone - "sorry"].
One thing that I do, however, believe falls into a grey area is what kind of car I drive to work, if I skate, or if I play guitar with an immense amount of skill.
I would end it here but I have to ask that you please do not confuse “grey area” with “it’s okay to do”. Some people might use the term that way, however here it is intended to mean that whatever happens in that area should be considered, weighed, and done in the right timing, place, moderation, or whichever word correctly applies.
But then I guess you could say that that process would be deciding if something fell into a black or white category. And then I would have wasted all this time typing. So quit listening to me, go read a Bible and find out for yourself.
The End.
When talking about absolutes and relativism, it is on the issue of morality. (ex. Is smoking wrong?) When you say stuff like “do I play guitar with an immense ammount a skill” you are confusing “preferences” with “absolutes”. Our preferences vary, such as what flavor icecream we like. However, absolutes don’t change, because we (Christians) base our absolutes on the Bible, and the Bible does not change. I think we are on the same page as far as our moral beliefs go, but going around saying that everything is not absolute is like saying, “Not all moral situations are clear as being right or wrong.” I have seen no moral situation that the Bible doesn’t state its position on. Some may not be as clear as others, but the Bible does state, directly or indirectly, its position on a given situation.
“Preferences” as we know them do fall into moral situations sometimes… some might say. = )
Take this ‘for instance’: The musical style that I currently prefer to listen to is one with a loud, distorted guitar, fast and technical drums/percussion, and booming bass. Not to mention lyrics/prose that are “sung” at a screaming level, with extremely high emotional intensity, rather than the oh-so-common and often fake, flat-line style you hear on the radio [http://klove.com/] so often.
Not to point out religions, but there are some “Christianity” based religions that believe that that kind of music is straight from the pit of hell. The vocal howling and provocative beats and such. They believe that it is “morally wrong” to listen to or take part in that musical style, regardless of lyrical content.
I, on the other hand, regard *some* of this music higher than I do that of the boring lifeless songs often heard in contemporary Christian music, where one claims to praise God at the top of their lungs, and yet maintains a perfect melody at a beautifully practiced pitch, with ever-so-sweet vocal tones. To me, that’s almost like lying. But that’s another subject.
In my post, I wasn’t trying to say that there are certain moral situations in life that aren’t black or white… but drawing out that there are situations that are not necessarily moral ones at all. I don’t believe that the choice of preferred musical style is (in all cases) a moral one. Others do. Situations such as that are what I was talking about.
I was not talking only about the issue of morality, nor do preferences never fall under the issues or category of morality. So I believe your first sentence to be incorrect (in a general way, but we’ll talk about that later, I’m sure. The problem is discerning which preferences in ones life are actually moral decisions, and which are actually just preferences. Say, for the man her prefers to admire younger women over women his own age. He may be very well unable to discern that his choice is more than merely preference.).
I also never said that “everything is not absolute”. I would never say that. I believe I implied that “not everything is absolute”.
For non-native English speakers, the difference in the two phrases might be confusing, but please seek out a clearer definition before quoting me incorrectly.