Tag Archives: prudence

Of Swine and Fools

It is easy for one to believe he is able to convince even the most obstinate individuals. Unfortunately, this is often a sign of pride and self-righteousness, rather than charisma or rhetorical skill. Scripture offers the following advice in regard to correcting and/or reproving others.

"Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you." – Matthew 7:2

"He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning." – Proverbs 9:7-9

Apparently, some people are not worth spending too much time and energy on, but does that mean we should just give up on them? If so, when and how? Certainly, we should be humble and prayerful in our argumentation and be vigilant for signs of fruitlessness in dialog. I wonder, though, how we are to know when a debate is not worth continuing and how we are end it without feeling guilty for abandoning someone, particularly a brother/sister in Christ, to his/her grievous errors. Thoughts?

Correcting and Reproving vs Instructing and Teaching

I don't read my Bible nearly so often as I should. I suppose I could use the typical Catholic excuse that I get a dose of Scripture every time I go to mass, but I think that's a cop out. Catholics may not believe in sola scriptura but that's no reason that we should be scriptura ignara. But I digress.

During Tuesday's RCIA class, I opened my Bible to follow along with the lesson. Out of curiosity, I looked at the pages I had marked. Have you ever had the experience of opening the Bible to a random spot and finding something that seemed to speak directly to you in your current condition? Well that happened to. I found the following to be very comforting in my frustration dealing with people on both sides of the Red vs. Blue battle.

"He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
   and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
   reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
   teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
   and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied,
   and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
   if you scoff, you alone will bear it."

Proverbs 7:7-12 (RSV)

After contemplating those verses, I thought of this bit from the Gospel According to Matthew that seemed appropriate. It also has broader application to God-blogging.

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you."

Matthew 7:1-6 (RSV)

United We Stand

Divided we fall. John Paul has pointed out something that I should keep in mind when I'm trying to protect the Church from heterodoxy.

Pope wants bishops to heal divisions in Church

"Pope John Paul II has told a number of bishops of the US that one of the most important tasks of a bishop is to address the 'worrisome phenomenon' of factions within the Church."