In my last posting I asked how we should “engage” Phillip Pullman’s criticism of Judeo/Christian Theism. I use the word “engage” specifically because I believe that this is not something we do very well.
As Christians we’re often startled by criticism. We still imagine that we’re the only restaurant in town, and tend to treat our critics with disdain. The truth is, however, that we are now one of countless options at the spiritual smorg. When we owned the table we got away with offering up some pretty unappealing, and even unhealthy fare. We may have to apologize for some of the things we did in the past, and we will certainly have to do better in future. So we should probably begin by reading some of the comment cards and taking the criticisms to heart.
And, so, it occurs to me that the essence of engagement is kindness. Though we think of kindness as being nice, the concept is actually deeper than that. It means to acknowledge that another being is the same “kind” of being as I am, i.e., kindred. When I am kind to another person, an animal, a plant, or perhaps even an inanimate object, I am recognizing that we share something I value for myself and should, therefore, value for the other.
And when I treat an opponent or enemy kindly I recognize that she or he has legitimate needs and concerns just as I have. My opponent has fears and failings, faults and limitations, and, in this, he or she is similar to me. When my opponent is mistaken, confused, wrong, or even hurtful and unkind, I recognize these things because I know them in myself. And when I have to acknowledge an insight, admit an error, confess a failing, I do so freely, expecting to be well received because, after all, we are two of a kind.
From this platform of kindness, and humility I might add, I believe we can begin to engage in many helpful dialogues. It’s a great new world, and it’s going to take some getting used to. But, in such a world, every challenge is an invitation to relationship, kindness, engagement.
* The insights on kindness I got from my son, Mark. Most of my investments have been flops, but my kids just keep on paying off.
