Articles
“Conservative” or “conservative”
[Editor’s note: as you read this, consider which use of conservative means “not willing to change anything” and which means “letting scripture guide what we do…and change”.]
“Conservative” or “conservative.” Is there a difference? Is it possible that one is “Conservative” meaning “Conservative” about everything? “Conservative” not as a matter of anything having to do with the Bible but just “Conservative” about everything, even spiritual matters. Therefore, the reference point of reasoning is not the Bible but a “Conservative” way of thinking about everything. Conclusions are reached, not as a matter of whether they are biblical, but as they fit the construct one has fashioned that is “Conservative.”
The problem with being “Conservative” is that the rule or pattern of one’s life is not produced from anything that is objective, like revealed truth. It is subjective. Whatever the question may be and conclusion reached is not because of reasoned truth but what fits one’s “Conservative” manner of thinking and life. If one reasons from such a point of view, then hedges are built to protect the “Conservative” way of thinking. The hedges may represent nothing related to revealed truth. It may be that being “Conservative” relates to a “Conservative” approach to scripture but the hedges becomes the standard. As one finds ones hedges challenged the reaction is not reasoned but a response to the challenge posed to the hedges. That does not lead one to truth but leads one to set up even more hedges as the established hedges are challenged.
On the other hand, being “conservative” is not simply a subjective way of thinking, it is taking truth and letting truth guide the way. One therefore is as “conservative” as truth is and one is as liberal as truth is. Reasoning comes from the objective word of God. As one tries to conform to God’s word, there is no need for hedges because truth is the standard. Adherence to truth will make one “conservative but not “Conservative.”
For example, are we upset with what we call a certain thing because a) it is something that does not fit being “Conservative” or b) it is does not harmonize with truth? Is our standard of acceptance of what we call a thing based on what others in the religious world call a thing? If our religious correctness is based on what the religious world calls a thing, have we not built hedges to protect against being identified with anything remotely close to what is used in the religious world? However, if we use truth as our guide, whatever the religious calls a thing does not matter. And, yes, even the religious world uses the Bible ways to describe what they do.
Our acceptance or rejection of what a thing is called should not based on being “Conservative”, but letting Bible truth guide us. That, at times, will make us “conservative” and at times make us “liberal.”
The truth of the matter is this: none of us is absolutely objective. We all struggle with building hedges. At times we will find ourselves “Conservative” and at times we find ourselves conservative. We all bring biases, influences, and prejudices to any discussion. I am trying hard to let the Bible guide my thinking and conclusion. I know you are too.
I just ask to you to think about it.
