One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?”
Mark 12:28 (MSG)
“If we submit everything to reason our religion will be left with nothing mysterious or supernatural. If we offend the principles of reason our religion will be absurd and ridiculous.” (Pensées #173-273)
Blaise Pascal(1623-1662)
We live in times of great uncertainty, debate and change. I think it is clear that the technological creativity have brought changes and debate that have challenged our social structures. We need “tools” and stratagies to address these realities. Adam Grant’s recent book, “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know”, helped me rethink some of my previous ideas.
I have a long term interest in understanding the nature of “agreement” as it applies to the practice of obstetrics. The issue is more complex than what we would like to believe and more than a medical issue. What I have come to believe is that discernment is more than an individual activity that requires careful management of the context and structure of the question. So before we look for agreement, we need to clearly articulate the question.
The second issue for all of us is creating “safe spaces” where dialogue and discussion will lead to productive outcomes. These difficult issues always need nuanced responses. This is where discernment is at its best. It is not competitive! It is consensus building.
That brings us to the roll of the church as a place where these conversations and discernment can be put into practice! This has a long tradition within faith communities where these are places of discernment more than dogma.
Thanks to Adam Grant for the clarity that he brings to discernment.
Marvin
References
Grant, A. (2021). Think Again. Penguin.
Hage, M. L. (2012). Thoughts.
http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2012/10/thoughts.html
Hage ML: Nonstress test interpretation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 153: 490-495,1985.
Sacks, J. (2014). The Great Partnership: Science, Religion, and the Search for Meaning (Reprint ed.). Schocken.
