Pondera in Extremus
November 7th 2006 07:40
With all the controversy around at the moment about extremists of every religion, I think this is the best time to perhaps put down a few things about myself, as far as being an extremist goes. I've quoted Chesterton heaps of times when he said that christianity kept two opposing ideals of christianity by keeping them both and keeping both opposite. And this is true, it has to keep them this way. Or at least, mine has to.
I was thinking about balance the other day when a thought hit me from a great height. That scales balance because they have equal weight on both ends. They balance not just because they are in the middle of two extremes, but because they are holding equal amounts of both extremes. For example, the two virtues (when I speak of extremes in this case I am speaking of virtues, christian or secular) mercy and justice. Mercy is essentially granting forgiveness to people even though they don’t deserve it where justice is essentially making sure that every man or woman is given what they deserve or pay what they ought, down to the last piece. Both of these conflict, and both are virtues. And both are embraced by christianity. Or at least, should be. But if one has more justice than mercy, you become essentially a legalist, demanding of people, giving them no second chance. You make yourself God and that is not man’s job. We already have one. But to have more mercy than justice is to give in to every request for indulgence that comes our way. It is not a form of love to be this way, as love will call a man to sometimes rebuke his children, rather than letting them get off scott free.
I was joking with a friend of mine the other day that the cross is perfectly shaped. It stands upright, it’s arms out, reaching to embrace the contradictions it contains. Because of this, it balances.
JoshZ
I was thinking about balance the other day when a thought hit me from a great height. That scales balance because they have equal weight on both ends. They balance not just because they are in the middle of two extremes, but because they are holding equal amounts of both extremes. For example, the two virtues (when I speak of extremes in this case I am speaking of virtues, christian or secular) mercy and justice. Mercy is essentially granting forgiveness to people even though they don’t deserve it where justice is essentially making sure that every man or woman is given what they deserve or pay what they ought, down to the last piece. Both of these conflict, and both are virtues. And both are embraced by christianity. Or at least, should be. But if one has more justice than mercy, you become essentially a legalist, demanding of people, giving them no second chance. You make yourself God and that is not man’s job. We already have one. But to have more mercy than justice is to give in to every request for indulgence that comes our way. It is not a form of love to be this way, as love will call a man to sometimes rebuke his children, rather than letting them get off scott free.
I was joking with a friend of mine the other day that the cross is perfectly shaped. It stands upright, it’s arms out, reaching to embrace the contradictions it contains. Because of this, it balances.
JoshZ
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Comment by Will
Seriously. You should like, start a christian website with your simple christian thoughts and write on it... call it 'a simple christian' or something.
Comment by Josh Z
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I've forgotten who it was that said the mark of true intelligence was the ability to hold two opposing thoughts in your head at the same time and continue to function... that and what you discovered here sums up balance for me.... as yu can see hanging on to memory is my main problem, not balance...*lol*
I enjoyed the read...
Look forward to the new posts...
Lilla...
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
It is one of the parts of christianity that for me has been quite a challenge, especially when a pastor that is well known for their understanding in one area speaks on that and doesn't bring in the balancing act.
Be awesome if more did though.