A rare gem is a gemstone that is exceptionally hard to find and limited in quantity, making it highly valuable due to its scarcity. I also believe this is a perfect explanation for a balanced view (and common sense)! A balanced view is the ability to consider all sides of an issue or situation, and to weigh evidence and truths in a neutral way.
Can you say that this describes you, and your approach to any and all issues and situations? What about those issues close to your heart? Or highly emotive issues that you may be directly or indirectly affected by? Do you have a balanced view on COVID, the war in Ukraine, BLM, gender and sexuality, Israel, Palestinians, creation/evolution, and climate change? Can any of us say that we have considered all sides of these issues, and weighed the evidence and truths in a neutral way? The likelihood is that most of us haven’t for most of these issues.
I asked AI this question: what is a balanced view of global warming and climate change? This was its answer:
A balanced view of global warming and climate change acknowledges the scientific consensus that human activities are the primary driver of climate change, causing the planet to warm, but also recognizes the complexity of the issue and the need for nuanced solutions.
It would seem that even AI doesn’t have a balanced view - or even know what one is!
It has also become very hard to have a balanced view of most things. There is always an agenda being pushed by one influential element or another, whether that’s business, state, science, religion or whatever. Should you choose to go against the flow you will be silenced, mocked, or worse. To hold a different view is often labelled as conspiracy, extremist…or right-wing!
I was recently sent a paper on the climate titled; A Biblical View of the 'Climate Emergency'. I found it a bit thin on the Biblical side but the rest of it was fascinating. It was filled with everything we’re not being told from state, media, science or even religion. It doesn’t follow the narrative we are being saturated with by every means possible, and it was refreshing. However, not only was this paper filled with suppressed content, but it also hit home just how much people think they have a balanced view because they’ve watched the news or one of David Attenbrough’s nature programmes…and maybe some like-minded YouTube or TikTok videos! I have also been amazed at how much the church as a whole has bought into the narrative without question.
What has really struck me though is how little Christians approach such topics from a truly Biblical perspective. To modify the opening definition of a balanced view: A balanced view is the ability to consider all sides of an issue or situation, and to weigh evidence and truths in a neutral way with the information we have available to us.
We can only consider what we know, with the understanding this can be modified should more information become available. The ‘world’ doesn’t consider the Bible as holding anything valuable to contribute to matters such as these; however, as Christians, the Bible must be a primary source for everything. If we believe it is the word of God - the Truth - then we have to treat it as such for every context. The challenge Christians face when upholding a Biblical viewpoint is that it generally goes against the prevailing narrative. And increasingly so. Creation versus evolution, climate and weather, Israel, and gender and sexuality, are some of the things the Bible has much to say that stands against the worldview…and, sadly, popular views within the church.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way” (Isaiah 53:6), and “[His] thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways [His] ways, [and] as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are [His] ways higher than your ways and [His] thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9), and “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:25) and “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). This is how it is for the world, but not for the believer!
“He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalm 95:7), and “the sheep follow Him because they know His voice” (John 10:4), and “He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30), and “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). This is the believer!
Whether it is contrary to the world or not, Christians should have the most balanced view above anyone else who does not know God for themselves. Sadly, on the whole, this does not describe us, but it should. We have to return to the ultimate authority of Scripture to help us interpret the world and our current times. In 1 Chronicles 12:32, it said of the men of Issachar; “those who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do”. Oh that it could be said of the people of God; “those who have understanding of the times, to know what the nations ought to do.” Even if not the nations but our own churches, communities and regions.
If you really want to be balanced in all your views and perspectives, don’t just lap up what is thrown at you. Consider even that which others mock and dismiss—even by the church (we have seen time and again how much they can get it wrong!). Above all, take time to consider what Scripture says—not secondarily but first and foremost. It is quite frightening how many people think they have a knowledgeable and balanced view of the issues of our time, even from a Biblical perspective, when it is clear that they don’t.
Our first allegiance is to God and our primary citizenship is of God’s Kingdom. As Jesus puts it; “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) and as Paul says; “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5), and “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2-3).
Let us truly be wise in our thinking and doing and speaking, even if that looks like foolishness in the eyes of the world. The world is not who we wish to please, and godly wisdom requires faith; “[for] without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
I would like to read that paper. Do you have a link to it?