Broad-Minded?

     Christians are sometimes made out to be narrow-minded bigots.  Most of us would say this is an unfair characterization.  Often, those who call others narrow-minded (or some of its cousin insults, such as ignorant) are really just using this assertion against anyone who disagrees with him or her.  It makes the person saying it seem superior, and as if they don't feel they have to explain themselves.  There is often no merit behind an accusation of ignorance or narrow-mindedness.  What is really meant is often, "Don't you dare disagree with me!"  

     The dictionary defines narrow-mindedness as not willing to listen to or tolerate other people's views; prejudiced.  Nobody wants to be seen that way.  Broad-mindedness, on the other hand, is defined as tolerant or liberal in one's views and reactions; not easily offended.  That sounds like a much more rational way to be.  Most people enjoy being around those who are accepting and not easily-offended, right?  I'll return to the definition of liberal in the next paragraph.  Bear with me for a moment.  But to what extent are we to accept views that differ from our own?  Some act as if we need to accept everyone and everything as being valid and right.  That sounds so nice, but it isn't possible.  No one believes in everything, even if they claim they do.  It just isn't feasible.  Every belief is held at the expense of the opposing belief.  If you say you believe in God, you are also saying (though not necessarily in so many words) that you believe atheists are wrong.  If you claim to be an atheist, you are also saying that you think those who believe in God are wrong.  You can't have it both ways.  This is true of all beliefs and those which oppose them.  

     I am going to submit that the word liberal (defined in the dictionary as willing to accept or respect behavior or opinions different from one's own) is not to be confused with the political or religions form of liberalism that constantly discards foundational beliefs and wants progressive beliefs to replace them.  A political or theological Liberal may or may not be openminded.  If they are willing to consider all viewpoints, including a Conservative's, they are a true Liberal.  But usually, like everyone else, a theological or political Liberal is not open to every idea, since they are not open a Conservative's views.  A better name for these people is Progressive, and many have started using this word instead of liberal.  It is a more accurate description than the word liberal.  Like most people, they are open to their own viewpoint and want that worldview to prevail.  By the real definition of liberal, many people from all political and religious views would be considered liberal, since many people are very accepting of those who disagree with them.  That is a good way to be.  To a point, I think it is scriptural.  Jonah had to overcome his prejudices and preach to the Ninevites.  Jesus was loving to tax-collectors, and people caught up in horrible sins, even demoniacs.  The early church had to learn to accept Hellenist Jews and Gentile members.  Acts 10:34 says that God is no respecter of persons.  

     But I repeat, to what extent should we accept other views?  The biblical examples I gave in the last paragraph involved welcoming and loving different people, but did not involve telling them they were right.  In every case, these people were loved and accepted, and brought to know God's truth.  Like all of us, they were required to change their mind.  

     As I already said, every belief is held to the exclusion of opposing beliefs.  Nobody can believe in everything.  Nobody really thinks everything is right or good.  Everyone has a set of ethics they go by to determine right from wrong.  As Christians, we should form these ethics on God's unchanging Word.  We should never, ever compromise what God has said in the Bible.  It is the final word.  Sometimes, this requires us to change long-held or traditional beliefs, because they are not scriptural.  Other times, it means holding fast to what we have always known in the face of a changing culture.  The Bible is the guide, not our traditions of the past, our culture of the present, nor the prediction of the future.  Isaiah 40:8 says,  The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.  Psalm 119:89 says, Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.

     Is there a way to be openminded without compromising the truth?  How can we be broadminded without compromise?  How do we be accepting of people without accepting ideas that contradict the Bible?  Here are a few thoughts.

1) Know your audience.  Read up on what a certain position teaches and believes.  Don't go by hearsay or prejudices, but find out what they actually believe.  If you really don't know, ask them.  They will feel respected by your asking, and that can lead the way to a productive conversation.  In fact, even if you have studied up on it, ask them anyway.  People are not all the same, and even those with the same philosophies might apply them differently.  

2) Put yourself in their shoes.  So many people of various beliefs and worldviews make the mistake of assuming everyone arrives at conclusions the same way they, themselves have, and then go on to make terrible assumptions about other people's character and motive.  Here is an example.  During Covid, some people held that this was a serious, deadly disease, and that the most loving thing a person could do was to stay home and wear a mask if he or she had to go out in public.  Some who held this view assumed everyone else also believed it was deadly, but just didn't care if they endangered others if they didn't stay home or wear a mask.  This led to seeing others as hateful and uncaring.  In reality, those who didn't feel the need to stay home or wear masks were not being hateful at all.  They didn't believe the same thing about the pandemic.  Many did not believe the danger was as severe as portrayed by the news, and considered going out to be a reasonable risk, just like people do during normal flu season.  Hate had no part in their logic, but it was falsely accredited to them.  On the flip side, people who viewed masks and staying at home as excessive and unnecessary often viewed those who chose to do these things as a puppet to the fear-mongering media, and maybe even assumed things about the person's faith or politics, when these people really did believe in the imminence of the danger and were trying to be careful (some even had autoimmune diseases and had to be more careful).  To share another example, I had a friend who used to call other religions outside of Christianity "stupid," and that is a very disrespectful way to talk about someone else's beliefs.  Try to think outside yourself a little bit.  The Apostle Paul did when he preached at Athens in Acts 17.  He got into their culture, using references around them that they revered and knew, and then led them to the truth of Christ.  Putting yourself in someone else's shoes and understanding their beliefs doesn't mean you think they are right, but you should try to understand the logic behind them.  I have engaged with many people online who hold different beliefs than I do, both theologically and politically, and never once have I had someone politely say, "Wow, I disagree with you.  Let's talk about it.  How did you come by your conclusion?"  Instead, I've had people level insults and even dirty statements at me for daring to disagree with them.  Not mature, and not a way to get people on your side.  

3) Assume the best.  People often demonize those with views that oppose their own.  They think of them as stupid or cruel.  It is important we recognize there are beautiful, talented, nice and smart people who believe differently than you do, and many have arrived at their conclusions honestly.  That deserves respect, even if we disagree with them.  You will never win people over to your viewpoint if you treat them as if they're stupid or evil for not agreeing with you to begin with.  Worse, don't conclude these people are not worth your time or consideration.  Jesus came to save people who weren't giving Him the time of day, and He still considered it worth it (...while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ).  

4) Find out about their journey.  Ask people how they arrived at their conclusions.  Listen to them.  If nothing else, this buys you time to consider your response.  Ask clarifying questions.  Make eye contact, and listen politely.  This will go a long way in earning their respect, and also earning your own right to share.

5) Affirm their experiences (there is a major caveat, so keep reading!).  I am not suggesting you say that their experiences and conclusions are indicators of the truth, or that you agree with them.  I am saying to affirm their real, heartfelt, life experiences.  You can disagree with what they did as a result of those experiences, and we'll get to that, but don't deny the reality of what they experienced and felt.  Show compassion.  Sometimes, people really face hard, hurtful situations that lead them to conclude as they have.  How would you handle it?  Can you at least understand how they came to the conclusions they have?  This is another aspect of putting yourself in their shoes.  Show compassion and respect for what they share.  

6) After hearing their whole story, as kindly as you can, tell them that you don't question their experience, but that you reserve the right to question the way they interpreted the experience (this is what Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God says when people disagree with him and say, "Well I don't care what you say!  I've experienced this!").  The very best thing from here is to ask thought-provoking questions to get them thinking.   Share what you have found to be the truth (from God's word, ideally).  Don't make it seem like a simple thing.  It isn't simple at all.  A lot is involved.  For example, if someone you are talking to is involved in a sinful relationship, don't just say, "Well, that's bad.  You shouldn't do that anymore."  These are issues God will have to help them navigate.  The Holy Spirit will have to work in them.  You're just planting seeds.  

7) Don't expect them to change their view.  Changing one's view isn't some quick, easy thing.  God has to do it in them.  Philippians 2:13 says, for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.  

8) Leave them with a blessing.  Close your interaction with a kind word.  Humility and kindness go a lot further into their hearts than dogmatism.  It can just be something as basic as, "I've enjoyed our conversation.  Thank you for sharing with me."  You could add, "I'll be praying for you," if you think it will be taken in the right way, not a barb against them.  

Finally, 9) Pray for them after the fact.  Prayer is a way you can always reach someone, even if you have no further contact with them.  

     Be as kind as you can.  Be open to understanding someone else's views.  Listen to their stories.  Be open to seeing why they chose as they have.  That is being broadminded in a good way.  However, in the end, we need to realize that the truth is narrow.  We want to be open and accepting, but we ultimately must stick to God's narrow way.  Jesus Himself said in Matthew 7: 13-14, Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  If holding to this truth makes us narrow-minded in the world's eyes, so be it.  People whose beliefs oppose yours aren't compromising their beliefs for you.  Don't compromise the truth for them or for anyone else.  I'll close with Paul's words to the church in Philippi, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (Philippians 2:16).