Comments on: When It’s Good to be Wrong About Theology…

By: Karsten

Karsten — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:06:35 +0000

I love this post. I found it as I was looking for a picture for my post. It feels like what you are saying and what I’m saying go closely together. Except mine is on why wrong theology often still works, and how we should live as a result. It’s so true that we are more afraid of being wrong than we are passionate about seeking truth. Thank you so much for this post my friend.

By: Ever thought you may be wrong about your cherished theology? « Daily Minyan

Ever thought you may be wrong about your cherished theology? « Daily Minyan — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:22:42 +0000

[...] In fact, the harsh tones of many theology debates may not spring as much from the offense of a particular belief or practice, but more from what we fear we’ll lose if such a thing is proven true. In other words, our attacks on others may be rooted more in defending our own lifestyles and beliefs by proving them wrong rather than dispassionately working toward the most logical conclusion. (From in.a.mirror.dimly blog). [...]

By: ed

ed — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:08:48 +0000

Thanks Nick and Justin! I think these are good balances to consider.

By: Justin Boggs

Justin Boggs — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:56:51 +0000

I heard a very learned and wise man say that he wrote his theology in pencil. That tell me two things: Write it, and be prepared to defend what you believe; be prepared to be proven “wrong” and be able to erase and rewrite any piece of doctrine.

So, I will argue passionately for something I believe, but always with the idea that the other guy may have a truth revealed to him that I don’t. On the other hand, I might be the guy with the revealed truth, so you can’t just be a wimp either. It’s an iron sharpens iron sort of thing.

By: Nick the Geek

Nick the Geek — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:20:43 +0000

I have often heard people say Christians are “dogmatic” in their beliefs, but I believe that real faith has the possibility of being wrong. If there is no possibility of being wrong it cannot be faith by definition.

By: ed

ed — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:57:57 +0000

Thanks Curtis. That’s why having a blog can be quite a humbling practice… I’m thinking of one day doing a post where I track how my ideas shifted over time on certain issues as played out in my blog posts. Unfortunately that sounds like a lot of work.

By: curtis klope

curtis klope — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:08:43 +0000

wow, great piece.

This lines up with the caveat that I use in almost EVERY theological discussion I’ve had as of late…

“This is what I think RIGHT NOW, and it’s been different in the past, and may change again… but this is where I’m at right now”

I just think that there is SO MUCH that we need to hold lightly, because history shows us that we (Christians) have been on the wrong side of things MANY times.

Good stuff, man.

By: ed

ed — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:35:12 +0000

Thanks for the comments. I’m glad to know this resonates with you all!

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:10:09 +0000

It’s probably good to assume that I am wrong about something (several somethings, most likely). That way I won’t be so disappointed when I discover the truth.

By: Mike Todd

Mike Todd — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:09:50 +0000

Great post Ed.

Personally I try to hold to the notion that I’m probably wrong on at least half of what I believe. I just don’t know which half, so I remian open to suggestions.