Slow to Judge: Sometimes It?s OK to Listen (Refraction) - Softcover

Capes, David; Refraction

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1401680194 ISBN 13: 9781401680190

Verlag: Thomas Nelson, 2013

Inhaltsangabe

God invites us to judge and to help correct wrongs from a place of understanding. Sometimes we pre-judge a person based on our own biases and superficial experiences. We stifle dialog before the conversation even begins. If all we know is our own faith, and we never put it side-by-side with what others believe, our spiritual growth and commitments can be easily stunted. By truly listening and learning from those with different beliefs, we can broaden and deepen our kingdom commitments.

It is possible to stand up for Jesus, to articulate our faith clearly as witnesses, and to defend our faith effectively, while at the same time not being perceived as judgmental. Christians need to be faithful witnesses to God who are willing to listen to people with drastically different stories. In those exchanges, when we suspend judgment and truly listen, we will find truth and beauty and goodness in some of the most unexpected places. We will also find that, if we truly listen, we may be given a chance to speak.

Features include:

 

• Help for interfaith and intercultural dialog
• Thought-provoking questions for spiritual conversation or reflection

 

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

David Capes is the Thomas Nelson Research Professor at Houston Baptist University. He is a noted Pauline scholar, and he served as the senior Bible scholar for The Voice Bible translation. He is the author and editor of several books, including The Last Eyewitness: The Final Week, The Voice of Hebrews, Rediscovering Paul, and Thriving in Babylon. Refraction books speak to the most troubling issues we face today in a candid dialog that interacts with our culture through a biblical lens, utilizing a holistic approach of intellectual engagement, emotional vulnerability, and spiritual challenge for the next generation.

Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Slow to Judge

Sometimes It's Ok to Listen

By David B. Capes

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2015 David B. Capes
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4016-8019-0

Contents

Acknowledgments, xi, 
Introduction, xvll, 
CHAPTER 1: A Listening Heart, 1, 
CHAPTER 2: "Do Not Judge" ... Really?, 15, 
CHAPTER 3: A Book by Its Cover, 27, 
CHAPTER 4: Love and Forgiveness, 43, 
CHAPTER 5: Homophobia, Islamophobia, Christophobia, 65, 
CHAPTER 6: The Problem with Tolerance, 79, 
CHAPTER 7: Authentic Tolerance, 95, 
CHAPTER 8: Listening to a Muslim Leader: Fethullah Gulen, 115, 
CHAPTER 9: Listening to the Pagans: C. S. Lewis, 129, 
Conclusion, 141, 
Notes, 147, 
About the Author, 153, 

CHAPTER 1

A LISTENING HEART

"Please give Your servant a listening heart for judging Your people and for knowing the difference between what is good and what is evil." —King Solomon (1 Kings 3:9)

"Whenever it shows up, we expect wisdom may have a face." —Mark McMinn

Like many, I've stumbled Into some of the best things of life. Without really meaning to or planning It, I've found friendships and connections that have profoundly Influenced and shaped my life. How did this Georgia boy who grew up Baptist end up with a conservative rabbi and Catholic priest as two of his best and most enduring friends? It wasn't planned; It just happened. Providence, you say? I agree.

I didn't start life with an Interest In Interfalth or Intercultural dialogue. It just sort of happened. I didn't have a deep desire to study other religions formally or Informally, but I did take an occasional course In world religions along the way, the kind offered by most colleges and universities. Still, engaging people of different faiths, backgrounds, and cultures has become a weekly—If not dally—part of my life. On more than one occasion, those experiences have meant that I have had to be slow to judge and quick to listen.

Now, before we go any further, let me relate to you a story from the Bible that ought to set the table nicely. If you've read the Bible, you are probably familiar with this account. If not, then this may be brand new. Still, even If you have read the story, I'll bet there Is a detail or two In It that you have never noticed because—to be honest—most English translations don't make It that easy. Let me tell the story and then get down to some precise language In one of the verses.

Solomon had become king. He had been anointed by God's prophet, Indicating God's choice for who would lead His people. Then he had been acclaimed by the people, demonstrating that he was the people's choice to rule over them. Many years earlier, David's court prophet Nathan had said this day would come. Saul's dynasty had not lasted—In fact, he was a one-king dynasty—but God promised David that his son would sit on the throne of Israel and would build Him a temple (2 Sam. 7:12–16). So when King David breathed his last, he had confidence that his son Solomon would Inherit a united and strong Israel. There were challenges that had to be met for the young king to consolidate power; but once those challenges were behind him, Solomon had a chance to sit back and think seriously about the future. What kind of king would he be? How would he make the tough decisions that kings and other rulers are always called to make? What kind of leaders would he choose to advise him? How would he lead the people In a time of war? How would he deal with his own people when they opposed him? Although Solomon had already received a royal education, he knew he needed more. Solomon needed wisdom.

One night, the Eternal God came to the king in a dream and invited him to make a single request (I Kings 3:5). Wisely, Solomon didn't just blurt out the first thing that popped into his mind. He began by rehearsing all the ways God had been faithful to his father David, and how David had remained faithful to God. For a time, he contemplated God's loyal love, especially when He allowed David's own son to sit on the throne of Israel. But Solomon knew he was young and inexperienced. He knew, too, the immensity of the task ahead. To lead a nation so young and vulnerable to its enemies, to shepherd a flock so large and diverse—how was he to do it? So Solomon made his simple request: "Please give Your servant a listening heart for judging Your people and for knowing the difference between what is good and what is evil. Who is capable of judging Your chosen ones, a great people?'' (I Kings 3:9).

So what exactly did Solomon ask for? He asked for "a listening heart,'' a heart that truly listens, not seems to listen, not pretends to listen while trying to figure out how to reply or how to get one up on an opponent. Solomon had watched his father well. He knew that being king meant making hard decisions and passing judgment, not just on big things but on little things, as well. He knew he needed "a listening heart'' to pull it off. He knew he needed "a listening heart'' to be a great king.

Other translations have rendered the same phrase a bit differently:

an understanding mind (ESV, NRSV)

a discerning heart (NIV)

an understanding heart (NKJV)

Now, all these are legitimate and helpful renderings of the Hebrew, but I prefer the more literal translation of "a listening heart" because it reflects the profound need we have to speak and be heard. Today there is no lack of speaking—everyone Is speaking, blogging, writing, and clamoring to be heard—but how many are listening? I mean, truly listening? I heard a funny line about blogging once, "Never have so many said so little to so few." The point Is that everybody's talking but few are listening. In order to judge well, understand well, and discern right from wrong, you must start with a listening heart.

The king's wise request pleased God. Most people would have asked for a long, healthy life or great personal fortune or honor In battle. Instead, Solomon asked for the ability to understand his people and be able to administer justice, one of the main things a king had to do In those days. So God granted his request and gave him the ability to hear and to know what Is right. In a word, God gave Solomon "wisdom."

This Is why Solomon's name has become so closely associated with wisdom. According to tradition, the good king authored, collected, and Inspired the composition of many proverbs. We will consider a few of these In this book because, to be wise, one must learn to listen, and the best place to begin listening Is to the wisdom of the ages recorded In Holy Scripture. Tradition credits Solomon with writing two of the most significant wisdom books In the Old Testament: Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. But perhaps most significantly for our purposes, many of the proverbs are known broadly as the proverbs of Solomon. Moreover, Israel's wise king Inspired the poets and singers of Israel to compose wisdom psalms, such as Psalms I and 14.

We will define wisdom from the Bible's point of view—but first, let's consider five things that wisdom Is not.

1. Wisdom Is not automatic. No one gets wisdom routinely. You aren't just born with It. There Is no "Wisdom DNA." It Is not the result of some natural process. Wisdom must be cultivated like a garden. Everyone may have the capacity for wisdom, but not everyone develops It. Even Solomon, In all his glory had to cultivate wisdom, seek It out, and make It his own.

2. Wisdom Is...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Thomas Nelson
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2013
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 1401680194
• ISBN 13: 9781401680190
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 192
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: preigu GmbH & Co. KG; mail@preigu.de; ; Lengericher Landstr. 19; Osnabrück; Niedersachsen; 49078; Deutschland