Being Sure Before Speaking Out, Considering Others’ Perspectives, Careful Communication
“Slow to speak and quick to listen” (James 1:19) applies to casual conversation and generally about our accumulation of knowledge.
SO WHAT? Getting attention, interest, “buy in”
Why do we care if something is “right” or “wrong,” “good” or “bad,” “true or false”? Why do people “care?” What compels people to set their minds to an idea? Fight for a cause? Speak out on behalf of a political party? Commit to fixed principles? From where does our sense of justice or freedom arise? “Caring” by itself does not establish an “ought to.” Neither sentimentality nor authenticity provides a standard for sensitivity. No. “Caring” follows a dedication to belief, buttressed by doctrines, dogmas to follow. We may all care deeply for something. But it is the “Why?” that presses us to care, a commitment we have made to ourselves. Our care is motivated by what and why we believe. “Caring,” by itself, is not enough. What propels an author to care to write a novel to express her beliefs through fiction? What propels me as a person to care enough to read it? To ask the question is to consider the origin of what it means to “care” and the reason why I should.
WHO CARES? Relation to student, to community, potential applications
This semester I teach a course entitled “Argumentative Writing.” An assignment I recently gave focused on how our care for what we believe in may bias how we communicate about it. You may want to view the video here to get a sense of (1) how I communicate at a public university but also (2) what may be necessary to discuss “right” or “wrong” or “true” or “false.”
As soon as a person asks a question, she has biased the results she seeks simply by identifying personal interest, inserting herself in a discussion. We should recognize care researchers take for their research.
Next, consider watching the Netflix documentary A Social Dilemma. Ask yourself why even unbelievers might be caring about social media trends. How does what I focus attention on make a difference in how I think? Critique assumptions. Question arguments. Consider alternatives. Notice consequences.
If you *really* want to get in the deep weeds, I have my students read a 35-page article entitled “Political Bias in Legal Scholarship.” Glad to send it to anyone who asks. And I will even send the assignment page so that you might know what to look for. 😊
WHY SHOULD I? Reasons for investing time, thought
At MarkEckel.com there are numerous resources that relate to the topic of being “quick to listen, slow to speak” in any kind of conversation or educational opportunity.
My musing about “Watchmen” on the website speaks to shutting out disagreement.
“What am I *NOT* Hearing?” is a question about “cognitive bias.”
Research: The Delight of Studying God’s Creation
My whole series of chapter reviews on Rad Dreher’s Live Not By Lies is applicable (here is a link to chapter six, for instance).
Consider the points I make in the first and second teachings on Wisdom about research.
The whole Worldview Questions video series addresses key concerns about “true Truth.”
HOW DO I? Ways to be involved
I begin my “Argumentative Writing” course with two 6-minute videos entitled “Charity” and “Humility.” You might want to consider these for the reasons I’ve already mentioned above. Ask yourself the question, “Do I have this kind of attitude when I’m communicating with others?”
Do a study on “gossip,” “truth-telling,” “speech,” Church communication versus public communication with “outsiders.” [My essay on apologetics with “outsiders” is in a book I mentioned a few weeks ago that I will sell at my cost. Contact me if interested.]
Read science-fiction books and short stories like Fahrenheit 451 to remind yourself how governmental control of freedoms becomes insidious.
Read about people and groups with whom you have little interaction. Hear their voices without responding to them.
WHO SAYS? Authority, standard, influence
From a biblical perspective, the kind of care we exhibit in conversation or research begins with standards we find in the book of Proverbs. We should care for:
- Truth 15:14; 23:23
…be honest 11:1, 3, 7, 18, 20; 12:17, 19, 22; 13:11; 14:5, 25; 15:4; 16:13; 21:6
…don’t cheat 11:1
…don’t lie 6:17; 13:5; 21:28; 25:18
…dishonest gain is worthless 20:23; 21:6
…don’t boast 12:23; 18:2
- Humility 8:13; 15:33; 16:5, 18; 18:12; 21:4; 29:23
- Diligence 12:14; 13:4
- Kindness 11:16, 17; 12:25; 18:1; 19:17
…speak nicely 4:24; 10:13
…be sensitive to others 25:20-21
…don’t mock 14:6, 9; 15:12; 19;29; 22:10
…don’t gossip 10:18, 11:13; 18:8; 26:20; 26:22
…don’t start quarrels 10:12; 17:14; 20:3
…watch what you say 10:19; 11:12; 13:3; 14:3; 15:1; 17:28
Scripture honors differences while exhorting unity (Eph 4:1-6). Unity breaks down diversity, misunderstandings, stereotypes, prejudice, and bias (Deut 10:17; Rom 2:11). Unity creates mutual goals (John 17:11, 20-23; Rom 12:4-5).