Archbishop Angelo Amato, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, denounced same-sex marriage as “evil,” called abortion and euthanasia “terrorism with a human face,” and described abortion clinics as “slaughterhouses of human beings.” While I agree with Amato’s positions, I’m not sure using inflammatory language will change any minds.
Jesus took on controversial issues, but He was known as being full of truth and grace. That’s why many abortion opponents urge people to refer to the procedure as “killing” of human life rather than “murder.” And that’s why Fred Phelps is not going to cause any homosexuals to change their ways by proclaiming “God hates fags.”
Not only must we carefully choose our battles, we must just as carefully choose our words so they, like Christ, are filled with truth and grace.
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April 24, 2007 at 12:16
Interesting piece. While I strongly advocate the balance of grace and truth—because it is the Biblical model—I’m wondering what you think of these examples?
The prophet Isaiah: All of your righteousness are like filthy, menstraul rags in God’s sight.
The prophet Ezekiel had to eat poop.
St. Paul tells the Judahizers in Galatia that if they like circumcision so much they should go ahead and cut the whole thing off.
Jesus Himself referred to blind guides, whitewashed tombs, broods of vipers, and vomiting lukewarm believers out of his mouth.
Would that have met your threshold of polite conversation if you were around at the time?
April 25, 2007 at 14:37
Actually, in the Gospel of John, John is clear on indicating that Jesus came with Grace and Truth – and in that order. As you follow the stories in John, you see that John explains this grace and truth in the stories he mentions.
April 26, 2007 at 12:17
Comments in regards to Steve Deace comments:
When Isaiah said that he was referring to himself as well. He was not pointing a finger such as saying that God hates fags.
Did I miss something? Ezekiel cooks his food on cow manure (Ezekiel 4:15) but I’m not seeing that he ate it. This was an illustration of how Gods people were being defiled, not non believers.
Paul was referencing that circumcision did not have any value anymore. He was talking about “believers” that were still following the laws. He wasn’t telling non believers to do something that might keep them from God.
And Jesus himself was talking to those who knew the law and chose not to follow it. They were too worried about the letter of the law instead of its intent.
All of James’ comments are in reference to how we speak to non believers. If we don’t use grace then why say anything at all.
We as believers are required to take comments / criticisms from other believers and examine our hearts to make sure that we are in alignments with God’s Will and Word. Non believers are not under that requirement. That is where grace comes in. We, as believers, tend to think that our criticisms are valid when the non believer doesn’t have a reference point to start from. They are sinful people, just like us, but without a ruler to measure their thoughts, words, and actions by.
If we can do the two most important commandments that Jesus gave us we would always speak in love and grace and truth.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.
Do that and you never have to worry about what you say.
April 26, 2007 at 14:07
I do think there’s plenty of evidence that there was “shock value” in the teachings of Jesus and the Prophets. Christ turned over tables and said some pretty shocking things. (“Drink my blood” caused tons of people to walk away). That said, not everybody who says something shocking is speaking truth. Phelps is missing some very fundamental tenants of Christianity. He speaks neither grace nor truth.
I think this grace vs truth is a false dichotomy. If you speak truth- real truth in love- you will be speaking grace, and sometimes it will be shocking.