CS Lewis, in his essay On the Reading of Old Books, affirms the obvious truth that every age is given to peculiar blind spots. When we read the Puritans we will see them. When we read Athanasius, (Lewis’ essay was written originally as a foreword for Athanasius’ classic work On the Incarnation) we will see them. When we read from our own age, we are much less likely to see them. We are able to see the blind spots of others, but blind to our own. That’s pretty much what “blind spot” means.
The Bible, of course, transcends differing eras, but in different eras we are likely to have differing blind spots toward the Bible. We have, for instance, in huge swaths of the evangelical church, a sexual ethic that says something like, “Let not unwed pregnancy be named once among you.” Fornication, no problem. Impregnation, big problem.
That said I would suggest worse still in our age is our seemingly utter disregard for warning against the sins of the tongue. This is, after all, the information age. We value information, access to “news” and value not a wit the privacy of others. Even less are we concerned with Biblical categories of evidence and justice. Mere accusations, and those even from anonymous bloggers, are enough to ruin the reputation of others. Have you heard?
This week the evangelical corner of the interwebs is abuzz about a legal challenge being faced not by a Christian celebrity pastor, but by the son of a Christian celebrity pastor. Some seem to have overlooked the biblical warning,
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
Lest the Lord see it, and [c]it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him (: 17, 18).
Others are rightly praying over the situation, but wrongly talking about it. Gossip isn’t merely speaking untruths about others. It also includes speaking when the truth isn’t known. See Proverbs18:13 – He who answers a matter before he hears it; it is folly and shame to him. There is, however, a third category to gossip. We gossip when we speak untruths about others. We gossip when we speak what we do not know for certain about others. We also gossip, however, when we speak what we do know for certain, but have no stake in the matter. This man’s issues with the law are no concern of mine. It is no concern to 99% of those who felt the need to weigh in on it on the internet. It is no concern to 99.999999% of those who read those who weighed in on the matter.
I’ve seen my own scandals and those of many dear friends play out on the internet. I’ve seen discernment bloggers, mommy bloggers, and countless ordinary social media users speed right past the Bible’s warnings. Some of these people I’ve seen pulled over for speeding. Some I’ve seen stuck in a ditch. Others I’ve seen drive right over the cliff. Whether it is my own sins, or the sins of others, one thing we know for certain- God will not be mocked. And mocking those for whom He sent His Son is mocking Him.
The world, and the Word are both filled with things God invites us to talk about. We are to encourage one another in our walk. We are to bear one another’s burdens. We are to praise His holy name. We are to gently correct one another, mindful of our own danger in falling. We are to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. We can start by walking humbly with each other.
My wife and I were successful in having a large group of people together who were doctrinal different. Never focused on judging the weaknesses and sins of others. God was very good in protecting the unity. It can be done.