In the western world, we dichotomize and compartmentalize everything. We often separate things to study them and even create false dichotomies, suggesting that the two divisions are opposite one another. In Wikipedia it says this:
A dichotomy is any splitting of a whole into exactly two non-overlapping parts. In other words, it is a mutually exclusive bipartition of elements. i.e. nothing can belong simultaneously to both parts, and everything must belong to one part or the other. They are often contrasting and spoken of as “opposites.”
One of the most common false dichotomies, even in the Church, is the one dividing secular and spiritual. That could be the subject of many posts. We become duplicitous and hypocritical very easily when we begin to live one way during the week and an entirely different way when we are together with other “Christians.” A good study of the Book of Malachi shows the difference between the character of God – one of Integrity – and of humanity – one of duplicity. But that isn’t the subject of this post.
No, I want to address a different dichotomy. It is illustrated all too well in the blogosphere daily. I came across this comment recently on a blog I often read:
[Y]ou are absolutely hilarious.
In Christ,
Now, if the post had been funny, these would be encouraging words. The problem is that the post was a serious exhortation to beware bitterness and discouraging words in one’s writings in the blogosphere. So, in that context the words can be translated in this manner:
Not only is what you have written laughable, but you, as an individual, are ridiculous and not worthy of any serious consideration.
In disgust,
What is horrifying is that this commenter clearly dichotomizes between their words and physical acts of violence. It is as though I can say whatever I desire to say toward someone, no matter the venom packed within, because it isn’t like I’m actually pulling a knife or using my fists. However, Jesus made it very clear that He was as concerned with the attitudes of the heart as He was with the physical acts of individuals.
Some may think I have picked a very mild example, and in some ways I have, but what really disturbed me about this particular comment was the way it was signed. The author made a personal attack and then had the chutzpah to sign it “in Christ,” as though this were the kind of thing Jesus would do.
We are taught as children to say “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” I pray that I, and all who follow Jesus, would begin to see that names, words, and personal verbal attacks are just as damaging and harmful as physical attacks, if not moreso, and that they are just as sinful. Given that as much (if not more) time in the bible is spent teaching us how to love one another and to be unified in Jesus than is spent focused on acts of violence, may we be awakened to this false dichotomy in our own world views and repent. May our hearts grow in unity and love for one another and people begin to see the difference in our lives, a difference wrought only by the Father so that more would follow the Way!