1) Funny word
2) All this below....
So everything we "know" is based off of how we've been raised to understand things. It makes me think of the Matrix when they explain to Neo that chicken might not taste like chicken at all, but maybe steak or something else. I now realize the validity of this statement. I understand some things because "that's just how it is" or "it's always been that way." But why? I don't know. So as the class went on we moved to how the Gospels became (?? I can't think of a better word) appropriate perspectives. After I thought about this more, I realized that if the same selection process used for the Gospels were to be used in everyday life to make decisions, it might actually end well. This is kind of what I was thinking. Let me know how off you think I am...
Scripture
I think that it is safe to say that most Christians believe that "all situations and events are covered in the Bible." By that I mean that no matter what comes up in life, the Bible can lead you to an answer or solution to it. So finding scripture to back one's situation is the start.
Tradition
I guess if it really came down to it... you could ask someone that has been through it??? I don't know.
Reason
This one is kind of self explanatory. Think about the long term impact of your decision before you make it. I will say some people have a big problem with this. My advice to those people is to stop being stupid.
Experience
This is the one I'm not too sure about. There are two sides to this. The saying "if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten" comes to mind. Now, if you've seen or had good results in similar situations go for it. I guess the other side is to do the opposite if it ended poorly last time.
Anyway, I know that's kind of a stretch but it was just on my mind.
You make a good point. I think you're right...if we would actually take the time to stop and really think about each of those things before we make a decision.
ReplyDeleteScripture is (or was) the most important of the four, but I think that we often place more importance on the existential side of things. We care more about what our own experiences tell us than what scripture says. Maybe if we put scripture first, rather than experience, the choices face could result in more positive outcomes.
I also think you're on the right track with tradition. If we ask ourselves how people have been handling situations like the ones we face, we might find a solution that has worked before.
So what would one do when they don't all seem to point in the same direction?
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
Well I would lean towards the scripture as that's the "most authoritative." But I guess that's where people differ.
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