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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:	Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:	Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:	CSC32::J_CHRISTIE

Created:	Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1362
Total number of notes:	61362

288.0. "Christianity and balance" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Centerpeace) Wed Aug 14 1991 20:31

Note 124.63
> it seemed
> a little out of balance.

I, for one, have been accused of this same thing.  And, I suggest that
the question of balance is most commonly brought up when that which has
been put forward is uncomfortable, uncustomary, and requires the exertion
of effort - physically - morally - mentally - spiritually.  I also suggest
that it typically has been the so-called "balanced" people of the world who
continue to propagate poisonous pedagogy.

I suggest that Jesus does not ask for balance.  Rather, Jesus said, "Follow
me!" (In a radical way.  Balance not required).

Moreover, there is such a thing as asymmetrical balance, where a perspective
may appear "lop-sided," but, in fact, is not.

Peace,
Richard

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
288.1	Balancing the issue	OVER::JACKSON	Collis Jackson ZKO2-3L06	`Thu Aug 15 1991 14:25`	19
	Re: .0 You are quite right, Richard, that balance is not always required. However, it should be addressed. If Cindy wants to claim that her paper is intentionally and appropriately unbalanced, then I think that a paragraph of reasoning as to why this is best is not unreasonable. Personally, I think a paper that addresses an issue and only discusses one aspect (in this case, the negative) is lacking. Not to say that had Cindy included some of the positive that we would not have been in close agreement on our past (and present) history. One further comment. I think balance is quite important. I would tend to disagree with you when you say that Jesus does not ask for balance. My claim is that the balance Jesus is asking for is in areas other than where you are looking (i.e. love/judgment :-) ). Collis
288.2	There can be no balance between good and evil.	KARHU::TURNER		`Tue Aug 20 1991 14:30`	6
	Lukewarm..... thats a nice balanced temperature. But Jesus says he'd rather have you cold or hot. john
288.3	Something to Remember When One is Tense...	WMOIS::REINKE	Hello, I'm the Dr!	`Tue Aug 20 1991 18:54`	3
	Inbreath and Outbreath DR
288.4		CSC32::J_CHRISTIE	Peace on it	`Wed Aug 21 1991 02:03`	22
	Note 288.1 Collis, >Personally, I think a paper that addresses an issue and only discusses >one aspect (in this case, the negative) is lacking. Not to say that >had Cindy included some of the positive that we would not have been in >close agreement on our past (and present) history. What you are describing may be characteristic of good journalism, but such usually serves only to water down essays, editorials, and research papers. >One further comment. I think balance is quite important. I would >tend to disagree with you when you say that Jesus does not ask for >balance. My claim is that the balance Jesus is asking for is in areas >other than where you are looking (i.e. love/judgment :-) ). I heartily, but respectfully, disagree, my friend. As Christians, we're called to love the unlovable and not just when we feel like it. How much more "out of balance" can you get? Richard
288.5	Balance love with judgment, not hate	OVER::JACKSON	Collis Jackson ZKO2-3L06	`Wed Aug 21 1991 12:41`	31
	Re: 288.4 >What you are describing may be characteristic of good journalism, but >such usually serves only to water down essays, editorials, and research >papers. I'm glad you agree that balance is important for good journalism. I would argue that it is also important for good writing of any kind including essays, editorials and research papers. >I heartily, but respectfully, disagree, my friend. As Christians, we're >called to love the unlovable and not just when we feel like it. How much >more "out of balance" can you get? (Note that the appropriate times to practice judgment are severely limited by the Bible. The following needs to be read with this in mind.) I agree that we are to love the unlovable. I would not define this as out of balance. The balancing factor of true love is not hate, but rather judgment. And when we practice judgment, we should NOT set aside out love, but simply balance it with judgment. And when we practice love, we should NOT ignore judgment (if that is our responsibility), but balance them both. Too much love without judgment creates a spoiled person (child or adult). Too much judgment without love creates an unhappy, angry person. Balance is important even in love. Collis
288.6		JURAN::VALENZA	Too thick to staple.	`Wed Aug 21 1991 12:59`	6
	Judgment and love are not alternatives to one another that are somehow mutually exclusive. Judgment can be expressed out of love, and in fact (in my view) it should be. Love is not something to be turned on and off. -- Mike
288.7	Thee has spoken my mind, Friend!	CSC32::J_CHRISTIE	Peace on it	`Thu Aug 22 1991 18:17`	3
	Re: .6 Richard
288.8		CSC32::J_CHRISTIE	Passionate Peace	`Thu Nov 14 1991 23:11`	5
	What did Jesus say about "balance"? Isn't "balance" relative? Richard