The Challenge of Conviction and Openness

Good Christian disciples (i.e., “learners”) are faced with a difficult challenge. On the one hand, we want to be firm in belief and conviction, not getting blown and tossed by winds of public opinion and fads. On the other hand, given the fallibility of human knowledge and perspective, we need to maintain openness and humility, accepting we do not know everything rightly and perfectly as God does.

I found this little comment by David Turner refreshing as I ponder this challenge. I hope we can all agree, at least, on this:

When teachers of equal scholarship and devotion do not agree on the particulars of a passage, one should avoid dogmatism and seek further insight. [Matthew, BECNT, 610]