Been thinking about this notion for awhile, that in life we are always in this constant "tension". We are always trying to balance & reason between what's right or wrong in our philosophy,our theological views or it can be just a tension of our vision to our current reality. And if we do not hold this tension well, we can be pulled to either end of the spectrum which may not be exactly good.
One example to this is this "Creative Tension Model" which I first came across in this leadership course in the army. And when I heard about it again recently, I had this sudden enlighten to see that this Secular model can be viewed in a Christian perspective of how we can lead our Life according to God's purposes.
A quick background of this "Creative Tension Model"
"Fritz calls this a tension-resolution system and he gives the example of stretching a rubber band – as you stretch it, this creates tension and the tendency of the rubber band is to pull back to resolve the tension in the system. Imagine that your vision is represented by your right hand and your current reality is represented by your left hand and you have a rubber band around both hands. The greater the gap between your vision and your reality, the more the rubber band will stretch, the greater the tension that will develop, and the stronger the motivation and energy in the system to resolve that tension."
Let's take this example, God inspires a committee of a shared vision for the ministry. Everyone is all excited and ready to pursue to that vision. It's always easy to be idealistic at the start, but when time passes by & "Current Reality" kicks in. Circumstances & pragmatism can actually pull our vision down to ease the tension to our current reality when we lower our expectations & vision. This is always the easy way of dealing with circumstances or problems that occurs along the way. However, if we have this deep assurance of a vision & direction that's inspired from God, I believe we should faithfully work towards that vision instead. If we just continue faithfully serve our Lord to our calling, I believe we will see the fruits in His timing. Heard this quote from John Bevere once, that "we are not judge by what we do, but we are judge by what we are called to do." It's having this deep eternal perspective of God & we just pursue towards that vision that God has called us to do. And soon enough, the Current Reality will move upwards towards the vision instead.
"Tension" on Theological Views
Another example of Tension is our theological views. And would like to highlight a disclaimer that what i'm about to share from this point onwards are just my personal views, influence from my background in a methodist church,readings & discussion with different people. You can disagree with me & I won't want it to become an argument of theological beliefs over here.
One tension that i've been searching & struggling over the years to keep strongly too is the "tension" between the "Charasmatic" & "Reformed" views we have today. I'm not being politically correct to choose the inbetween & balance both ideas. But i believe that if we sway too extreme alone to either side of the spectrum it may not be totally good too. Sub-conciously a lot of our theological views today comes from a reaction of our past experiences that lead us to having a "knee-jerk" reaction in having strong views on either side alone. And because of this, we tend to totally ignore the many other rights on the other side because of such reactions. One example, if we fall to either end of the spectrum & are not careful. We may become too liberal in our theological views, we begin to take scripture out of context to what we humans just want to hear or just to have this feel good experience? or we can go to the other extreme & become so legalitic until we are working out our own self-righteosness, imposing our self righteosness on others and miss the whole point of the grace of God.
Both sides have appropriate scripture backings of how great theologians in the past have framed their theological views. And this theological views are in relation to their respective context & periods of time and because of such reasons we have no right to compare them per se. Or have argument over whose right or whose wrong, as we will never fully comprehend in our mere human understanding on the mysteries of God.
Having said that, we shouldn't be apathetic about our Faith and ignore it totally as well, and be ignorant about our understanding of our Faith. We still need to have some form of biblical foundation to our understanding of God. Having the proper theology & perspective of who God is actually changes how we live our life and how we carry out God's plans & purpose on this earth.
This is where I one to make a personal concluding statement, derive from Titus 3:2 "...to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone." Our views of God may differ in some aspect but we shouldn't go to the extend to slander or slam another church. We may not agree on certain doctrines, but sometimes agreeing to disagree may be best in preserving the unity of believers. Would like to end of with one of my favourite quotes paraphrase from Warren Wrisbee to unify an example of two great theological views of the past. "We should have a backbone of a Calvnist & a Heart of an Armenian". =)
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 (NLT)
Additional Biblical References to "tension" of Theological views:
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Titus 3
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
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