Hey everyone,
One of the criticisms brought up in a recent letter to me was the fact that some posters (as in, myself
) here in Singles voice strong thoughts and opinions regarding situations that we, ourselves, have never experienced. The other concern was that many of us "speak from feelings" and don't "back what we say" with a list of Scriptures.
I actually think these points are perfectly reasonable and was wondering what you all had to say. Does someone with no experience in a certain area have any authority or credibility to speak about such things? Can what they say be taken seriously or should it be disregarded, since they have not lived through it themselves? And should we all be ready with the right Bible verses to support everything we say?
For example, if you have no experience with these things, can you credibly speak about:
1. Marriage.
2. Children (and raising them.)
3. Divorce.
4. Godly leadership (if you've never led something.)
If you don't have these things on your personal resume, are you even allowed to speak about them, and should you be believed?
I myself am guilty of all of the above. I admit that I am a very emotionally-based persona and speak from the basis of how certain experiences have made me feel rather than the pure logic of the matter, and I do believe that it's necessary to be cautious when speaking about things we haven't gone through ourselves.
Using myself as an example, I don't have kids, but I raised someone else's for 3 years, so I have a small taste (and huge empathy for parents) as to what it's like. But I do try to keep my input fairly small and let the single parents here do most of the talking about issues such as raising children because I feel I have no authority in that area. I can contribute here and there, but mostly, I like to listen and ask questions so I can learn.
I don't believe you have to have lived through something in order to contribute something valuable to the discussion, but I do believe (for myself) in not making any absolute statements or judgments because my situation is mine alone, and I can't speak for someone else's.
But as single people, how much authority or credibility do we all have in speaking about how Godly marriages should develop and be carried out?
As for not having Scriptures to back everything I say... It's not that I'm Biblically ignorant, though of course, I'm by far from being an expert, either. I always use sewing as my example. Right now, I'm trying to determine how to adjust a pair of short to fit me personally. I've read the facts of how to go about it in 3 different books. But I am still looking for a YouTube demonstration because if I don't see something actively demonstrated, I can't utilize the information. This is just how I'm wired for most "step-by-step" techniques, and my spiritual life is the same. Coming here, sharing, and asking you to share in return is me asking for your "YouTube video" of how to apply Biblical principles in my own life.
It does not, at all, negate my belief in God's Word. For example, the Bible tells us to "have faith", which is solid and unshakable. But if, for example, I have a loved one who has cancer, I am completely unsure as to how I can put that faith into action in that particular situation. I need others' "demonstrations" to see how it's done, which not only builds my faith, but also connects me to other people. Admittedly, I tend to worry more about "putting the story out there" without having any passages to support what I'm trying to say, and maybe that's something I need to work on.
As an interesting side note, I just read an article observing that Paul almost never quoted Jesus in his writings... because one of his purposes was to give practical applications and meaning to what Jesus taught and did. I too am seeking the practical when I post, though I do understand that including more Scripture is probably never a bad idea!
So, in conclusion: Do we have the right to speak about areas with which we have no experience? And, should we all start listing Bible verses to "prove" everything we have to say?
What are your thoughts?
One of the criticisms brought up in a recent letter to me was the fact that some posters (as in, myself
) here in Singles voice strong thoughts and opinions regarding situations that we, ourselves, have never experienced. The other concern was that many of us "speak from feelings" and don't "back what we say" with a list of Scriptures. I actually think these points are perfectly reasonable and was wondering what you all had to say. Does someone with no experience in a certain area have any authority or credibility to speak about such things? Can what they say be taken seriously or should it be disregarded, since they have not lived through it themselves? And should we all be ready with the right Bible verses to support everything we say?
For example, if you have no experience with these things, can you credibly speak about:
1. Marriage.
2. Children (and raising them.)
3. Divorce.
4. Godly leadership (if you've never led something.)
If you don't have these things on your personal resume, are you even allowed to speak about them, and should you be believed?
I myself am guilty of all of the above. I admit that I am a very emotionally-based persona and speak from the basis of how certain experiences have made me feel rather than the pure logic of the matter, and I do believe that it's necessary to be cautious when speaking about things we haven't gone through ourselves.
Using myself as an example, I don't have kids, but I raised someone else's for 3 years, so I have a small taste (and huge empathy for parents) as to what it's like. But I do try to keep my input fairly small and let the single parents here do most of the talking about issues such as raising children because I feel I have no authority in that area. I can contribute here and there, but mostly, I like to listen and ask questions so I can learn.
I don't believe you have to have lived through something in order to contribute something valuable to the discussion, but I do believe (for myself) in not making any absolute statements or judgments because my situation is mine alone, and I can't speak for someone else's.
But as single people, how much authority or credibility do we all have in speaking about how Godly marriages should develop and be carried out?
As for not having Scriptures to back everything I say... It's not that I'm Biblically ignorant, though of course, I'm by far from being an expert, either. I always use sewing as my example. Right now, I'm trying to determine how to adjust a pair of short to fit me personally. I've read the facts of how to go about it in 3 different books. But I am still looking for a YouTube demonstration because if I don't see something actively demonstrated, I can't utilize the information. This is just how I'm wired for most "step-by-step" techniques, and my spiritual life is the same. Coming here, sharing, and asking you to share in return is me asking for your "YouTube video" of how to apply Biblical principles in my own life.
It does not, at all, negate my belief in God's Word. For example, the Bible tells us to "have faith", which is solid and unshakable. But if, for example, I have a loved one who has cancer, I am completely unsure as to how I can put that faith into action in that particular situation. I need others' "demonstrations" to see how it's done, which not only builds my faith, but also connects me to other people. Admittedly, I tend to worry more about "putting the story out there" without having any passages to support what I'm trying to say, and maybe that's something I need to work on.
As an interesting side note, I just read an article observing that Paul almost never quoted Jesus in his writings... because one of his purposes was to give practical applications and meaning to what Jesus taught and did. I too am seeking the practical when I post, though I do understand that including more Scripture is probably never a bad idea!
So, in conclusion: Do we have the right to speak about areas with which we have no experience? And, should we all start listing Bible verses to "prove" everything we have to say?
What are your thoughts?
