You Might Be in a Theological Bubble If…

[Revmitchell]

So, you might be in your own little theological bubble if…

by Dave Miller on November 1, 2013

1) On your blog (or other social media), all of your “recommended blogs” share your theological perspective.

2) You only read books by people from your own theological perspective.

3) You spend much time with like-minded friends criticizing and even ridiculing those of other perspectives, but little time engaging them in real conversation.

4) You would rather use straw man caricatures of the other side than labor to understand and accurately characterize their views.

5) All of the conferences you attend share (and reinforce) your particular theological position.

6) You tend to judge people’s character, integrity and fidelity based on whether they share your theological perspective.

7) You are quick to believe negative reports and conspiratorial accusations against those of different theological perspectives. It is “us against them” after all.

8) You abhor behavior in those of other theological perspectives that you applaud in those who share your theological perspective.

9) You use theological code words that those of your theological perspective use in a particular, unique way, often exclusionary toward those of other theological perspectives. (I’d like to give examples, but it would be too inflammatory, I fear.)

10) You never, EVER, admit that the other side has any Scripture on their side. “I don’t see how anyone with a Bible could come to that position.”

http://sbcvoices.com/you-might-be-in-a-theological-bubble-if/

 

[quantumfaith]

So, you might be in your own little theological bubble if…

by Dave Miller on November 1, 2013

1) On your blog (or other social media), all of your “recommended blogs” share your theological perspective.

2) You only read books by people from your own theological perspective.

3) You spend much time with like-minded friends criticizing and even ridiculing those of other perspectives, but little time engaging them in real conversation.

4) You would rather use straw man caricatures of the other side than labor to understand and accurately characterize their views.

5) All of the conferences you attend share (and reinforce) your particular theological position.

6) You tend to judge people’s character, integrity and fidelity based on whether they share your theological perspective.

7) You are quick to believe negative reports and conspiratorial accusations against those of different theological perspectives. It is “us against them” after all.

8) You abhor behavior in those of other theological perspectives that you applaud in those who share your theological perspective.

9) You use theological code words that those of your theological perspective use in a particular, unique way, often exclusionary toward those of other theological perspectives. (I’d like to give examples, but it would be too inflammatory, I fear.)

10) You never, EVER, admit that the other side has any Scripture on their side. “I don’t see how anyone with a Bible could come to that position.”

http://sbcvoices.com/you-might-be-in-a-theological-bubble-if/

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

There are somethings I need to "work on".

 

[InTheLight]

There is truth here.

Hmmm...I also find the list works if you substitute Political Viewpoint for Theological Perspective.

 

[agedman]

We used to call navy seamen of the submarine persuasion "bubble heads" - does that count?

 

[Revmitchell]

We used to call navy seamen of the submarine persuasion "bubble heads" - does that count?

You know, I figured you to be a squid. :laugh:

 

[JonC]

Excellent :thumbsup:

 

[Revmitchell]

I see 4, 9, and 10 on this board the most.

 

[Sapper Woody]

While an interesting list (and self informative), I guess I don't understand #9.

 

[SolaSaint]

Rev,

I understand the points made but I must add a question. Do you think we need to adhere to these points when the theological difference is a false view or cult? I have studied many false theologies and must say it can affect your faith, be very careful when reading about cults and false religions. I went through a period of darkness for about a year or more when studying the Jesus Seminar.

Now if you are just referring to arguing about non-essentials then yes we need to adhere to these points.

 

[go2church]

To some degree don't we all have our theological bubbles?

There are some points of view that really have nothing to offer.

 

[go2church]

I do appreciate that thus is coming from a SBC source, they haven't been too open to the idea of differing points of view in that's couple of decades.

 

[Revmitchell]

Ok let's not drag this off topic and use it as an opportunity to dig at the SBC.

 

[quantumfaith]

To some degree don't we all have our theological bubbles?

There are some points of view that really have nothing to offer.

That sounds like it might be able to be #11

 

[InTheLight]

I see 4, 9, and 10 on this board the most.

Number 4, hands down the most prevalent here

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

I see 4, 9, and 10 on this board the most.

Number 4, hands down the most prevalent here

Unfortunately, #6 shows up a lot, too.

 

[go2church]

Ok let's not drag this off topic and use it as an opportunity to dig at the SBC.

No dig, just a recent reality. They wouldn't be the only ones, lots of us would be guilty.

 

[drfuss]

Number 9 occurs here on BB all the time. Coming from a Classic Arminian background and being in a SBC church for the past 20 years, I see terms and definitions concerning other beliefs misrepresented quite a lot. Classical Arminian and eternal security beliefs are practically the same except for definitions, terminology and a play on words. Most who do not realize this have not really studied or been exposed to the theology of the other belief.

To discourage this thread from becoming a debate as earlier requested, I will not give examples.