Re(5): Struck By Thunder Opinion

Jim,

You voiced a fair enough thought, so I’ll level with you. I noticed you have described yourself as a “heathen” (I had to smile at your gentle humor) so I will talk to you more as one reasonable person to another than from a “theologically-weighted” stance. I believe that what Tyler was referring to was a “moral judgment.” Regardless of our faith (or lack thereof), we all make value judgments about what is right and what is wrong. A casual glance at this discussion so far will reveal as much. If a person is trying to do what is right (as a Christian is supposed to be doing), then that person will naturally pay attention to what is morally right and morally wrong—it has much to do with his faith in the first place. C.S. Lewis—one of my all time favorite authors—even went on to say that the better a man becomes, the more aware he is of his own remaining badness.

Now as far as God being the judge: again, when it comes to moral judgment you are quite right, God is indeed the ultimate measuring stick for a Christian’s life. However, I will now address the angle I think you were coming from: what of the Christian who makes a judgment call on another person’s actions or character? No matter whether we are a Christian or not, we all form impressions of other people and make value judgments all the time. Often, however, we know better than to speak our mind, so these thoughts exist only as just that: thoughts. Of all people however, the Christian is especially concerned with doing what is right. Because of this fact, he recognizes that there is a time to stand up for what is right, which means he has to have his eyes wide open. A wise man knows when to open his mouth and when to keep it shut. When a person lives a hedonistic life, as I did for years, a person’s gauge of morality isn’t as finely tuned as someone who is conscientiously trying to do the right thing. I mean, we all know it is much easier to be bad than good, so “being good” on a consistent basis would surely give anyone a better vantage point. Of course, a person who has lived a hedonistic life and then “mends his ways” can perhaps speak with an authority not afforded one less familiar with such reckless living, but that is the topic of a future discussion and a digression I will not take the luxury of indulging in at this time.

A typical Christian’s thoughts are shaped to a large degree by reading the Bible, listening to the messages the pastor preaches, time spent in reflection and prayer, and in observing life in general like anybody does. Because each of these things is (usually) centered on trying to become a better person, the spiritual seeker is on a journey, ever growing and learning new things. Just as a parent sees the actions of their teenager through the eyes of parental wisdom gleaned from experience, so too does such a disciplined life often leave the Christian with a heightened awareness of what is morally right or wrong. So when the Christian sees another person who is not at the same level in his life, there is an inward recognition of this fact: how could there not be? But you see, there is a tremendous difference between knowing that you are right and being a know-it-all. The one advertises his own ignorance and insecurity loudly and foolishly, the other has the conscious choice of whether or not to speak or hold his peace. And very, very often the wise person will choose to keep his thoughts to himself. Yet still, there is a value judgment being formed in his mind: a conscious recognition of reality that is as sharp and accurate as his own level of growth and maturity allows for. Christ Himself said that we would know a person by the fruit they bear: a thorn tree doesn’t bear figs and grapes don’t grow on briar bushes. So too, what is going on inside of a person will shine through to the outside; whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. We often can tell far more about another person than they would ever guess; they would be shocked if we told them all we knew from our casual, detached observation from afar. What is that old adage again? Actions speak louder than words?

I don’t know where Steven Tyler is in his own journey. But I believe that the truth that I have presented here is universal, whether one is a believer or not. Just substitute out the word “Christian” with “sensible person” and you could make virtually all the same blanket statements. Christ was many things; being a fool certainly wasn’t one of them. Perhaps that was what He meant by “being as shrewd as serpents, yet as gentle as doves”?

Yet, I agree with you on (what I understand to be) your central point. When a person—Christian or otherwise—is condemning, callous, cold, and uncaring toward a fellow human being, that is miles away from the heart of God and true morality. One thing I know for certain: while such “Christians” do unfortunately exist, I have no intention of becoming one of them. We all have our days to be certain, but a simple apology can sure go a long way toward restoration! Thanks for sharing, Jim. Does this answer your musing(s)?

God bless,
Eric