When considering if it's the right time to offer a critique or suggestion to someone or about someone, keep in mind the following three things in order to have a profitable and loving discussion:
1. Be sure you truly understand what you disagree with or want to suggest needs to be changed. "You often see prolonged discussions or arguments that could be avoided by simply explaining what we mean by a term," writes Danny in "Charity in Communication." "Getting others' views right is a part of love. Disagreeing in the proper spirit is Christian.
"Disagreeing in the improper spirit is not Christian even if we are correct. You see truth and love must go together. Truth without love is not Christian."
2. Is there a solution to the problem that you're pointing out? If not, "it is quite disheartening to be told that you are 'on the wrong path' career wise or in another way but to not be told what the right path is," says Danny in "Unloving Advice." "A critique with no superior solution is a worthless critique.
"To say a solution is poor but to not have any idea of a better solution is at best a waste of breath and in fact more likely unloving. To criticize without giving hope is completely un-Christian in spirit.
"We should build up others. If we cannot be building up and offering a better approach than it is best that we say nothing at all."
3. Is there something that you can do to help the problem that you're pointing out? It's easy to critique others and other cultures but not ourselves and our own culture. Read more in "Critique of the Other."
Showing posts with label criticism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label criticism. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Christian Debate
Debate is only useful when both parties in the debate seek truth. Too often in debate the involved parties are not in dialogue but rather just jabbing at each other.
True debate requires understanding the position of the person you are debating with. I often have found myself among like minded people telling them they are not fair in their criticisms of other positions.
It is often that we will not agree with a position, but most frequently most of the criticisms of positions we hear are unfair and frankly untrue. In the current day we cut corners in debate. It is easier to throw mud than to do the hard work of explaining why an opposing position is wrong. Why this is important is that we are called to be people of love.
If we wish to live out our faith we need to enter debates in a spirit of love. Sometimes it may mean respectfully leaving a debate where people are more interested in mudslinging than truth.
Always as Christians we should be mindful that how we debate is as important as what we say when we debate. I believe a respectful tone of debate is not only Christian but also enhances our message.
True debate requires understanding the position of the person you are debating with. I often have found myself among like minded people telling them they are not fair in their criticisms of other positions.
It is often that we will not agree with a position, but most frequently most of the criticisms of positions we hear are unfair and frankly untrue. In the current day we cut corners in debate. It is easier to throw mud than to do the hard work of explaining why an opposing position is wrong. Why this is important is that we are called to be people of love.
If we wish to live out our faith we need to enter debates in a spirit of love. Sometimes it may mean respectfully leaving a debate where people are more interested in mudslinging than truth.
Always as Christians we should be mindful that how we debate is as important as what we say when we debate. I believe a respectful tone of debate is not only Christian but also enhances our message.
Monday, October 20, 2014
To Criticize without Offering a Solution
Often we find a large amount of criticism of positions without offering a solution. To criticize other positions or other solutions is easy in comparison to expressing opinions or solutions.
In general it is best if we wish to criticize a position if we can offer a better position in it's place. We often find criticisms of positions which offer nothing which is better. It is often as if we are told what ten wrong positions are but have no right position.
The reality is that positively expressing positions is far harder than criticizing. It is easier to tear down than to build. As Christians our primary purpose is to build up.
Sometimes tearing down error is necessary to build up. But tearing down should never be an end in itself, only a means to an end.
The church is a community meant to bring God's blessing to the world. We exist to follow the example of our savior who preferred to serve rather than to be served.
In general it is best if we wish to criticize a position if we can offer a better position in it's place. We often find criticisms of positions which offer nothing which is better. It is often as if we are told what ten wrong positions are but have no right position.
The reality is that positively expressing positions is far harder than criticizing. It is easier to tear down than to build. As Christians our primary purpose is to build up.
Sometimes tearing down error is necessary to build up. But tearing down should never be an end in itself, only a means to an end.
The church is a community meant to bring God's blessing to the world. We exist to follow the example of our savior who preferred to serve rather than to be served.
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