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Recently, I have been pondering on the concept of taking a stand. Taking a stand for my reasoned out philosophical, theological, and Biblical beliefs. As they are reasoned out this does not mean my views are 100% correct, but I ask and pray for God's guidance. I make mistakes on my blogs at times and admit I make revisions.
Since I am single, I listen to and read information from online sources, but as of yet have not found one particularly helpful. The secular ones are definitely flawed where they disagree with Biblical principles, but I am still picking up important information at times.
Since my area of work is theology/philosophy and in particular the problem of evil, I am often asked deep heavy questions. To make matters worse these relationship coaches also state to not discuss religion with women. Please note I do reason that some people that do not like to discuss heavy topics and religion. There are of course many women in academia that deal with heavy subjects, and I have cited some of these in my PhD and on my blogs.
Hmm, so what should I do? Should I never discuss religion and related with women? Pragmatically, I have to state that these relationship coaches are correct, I would probably be more popular and appreciated if I would just shut up and never share my knowledge. This knowledge is at times an offense to those weaker in the faith.
Some will state that I need to show tenderness to those weak in the faith (First Corinthians 8). I fully agree, but I must state that in today's society some are so unaware of Biblical teaching that even if I explain a doctrine, with love, without arguing for or against it theologically, I risk offending a person as Biblical doctrines are often very much counter-cultural. I am in practical terms better off shutting up, otherwise I risk being disliked and unappreciated, among other things.
So, I suppose that when I do speak and write, I risk paying the price for taking a stand. I may lose blog links and Facebook friends as well. I may be perceived as someone out of touch within a Christian Church that is often quite secularized.
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Thanks for the photo, Mom.
