Absolutely

When was the last time you were wrong about something?

Last week my wife and I had dental appointments an hour apart in a small town not far from us were we used to live. Even though it is about a thirty minute drive we have stayed with the same dentist and ophthalmologist. They are both very good and we trust them. After our appointments we were going to drive out to a fabric store Nancy wanted to visit, but it didn’t open for over an hour. So we decided to get lunch. We agreed on the restaurant. I started to turn toward the restaurant and Nancy indicated I was turning at the wrong place. Sternly I insisted I was making the proper turn. (And I was right) She didn’t appreciate either my tone or my choice of words. She said, “In spite of what you think, you are not always right.” Ouch, but she was right. I think I made a mistake last year.

In many areas of life absolutism is the current base of discourse. We shout at and talk past each other with our absolutes. Listen to the political ads on the TV. There is one and only one answer to each of the issues, depending on who is talking. One candidate states that the only way to deal with an issue is their way. Another candidate will declare their proposal is the only reasonable solution to the same issue. Politics is not the only arena where absolutism is at play.

In the Church, we have been pretty good at the game of absolutism. It is absolutely true that the sun revolves around the earth. It is absolutely true that a day at creation had 24 hours. It is absolutely true there is only one view of marriage in the Bible. It is absolutely true that Israel is righteous in dealing with the Palestinians. It is absolutely true that Israel’s dealing with the Palestinians is unwarranted and evil. It is absolutely true that intinction is the best way to distribute the Elements for Communion. It is absolutely true that passing the Elements down the pew is the way it has always been done. It is absolutely true that dogs were created before cats.

Our absolutism can become absolutely ridiculous. Is it possibly true that “In spite of what you think, you are not always right?”  Some people cannot fathom the possibility there might be more than one answer to a problem or opportunity. There is only one way to balance the church budget, cut the fat and by that I mean the pastor’s salary. The only way we will ever balance the budget is to increase income. We have to insist on tithing from our members. Does it really have to be all one way or the other? Actually, we probably can find some ways to reduce some expense and to encourage increased giving.

Is there not any room for ambiguity? Are there not times where more than one answer will work? Is it not possible that the Reformed Tradition and Roman Catholicism have something to teach each other? Does one have to be either a strict creationist or an evolutionist? What do the two dominant American political parties have to teach each other? Can technology and spirituality co-exist?

I admit I can suffer as much as anybody from the disease of absolutism. However, I have to constantly be reminded and to remind myself, The moment we are convinced were are dead right, is precisely the moment when we are most vulnerable to be dead wrong.