A way of thinking that has helped me a lot, is an idea of connecting things even if they seem to be polar opposites.
(Modern) Protestant thinking (though Catholics and Orthodox can be just as much to blame) would always try to divide. "I think white, you think black sorry but we're different". By connecting the dots or tying things together you might say "well what if one side of the coin is black and the other is white?" What is not helpful when using this method (most of the time) is to say "lets find a grey".
Christianity is full of these sort of Paradoxes (Trinity, Nature of Christ, Marriage) You have to hold that the trinity is three Persons but one God - you can't split it. Bringing things together means you create space for unity, understanding, and love - I mean this conceptually and in reality.
What's great is that you can apply this to so many concepts and theologies and it has helped me makes sense of so many arguments that seem to tear stuff apart.
Another benefit is that it also balances you out. When a group decide specifically "this is our side of the coin" then it shades the rest of your theology in an unhealthy way. For example if you take a Calvinistic view of salvation in that God has chosen you, then you end up believing the God hasn't chosen others, which then leads you to believe that Christians are better than others. Likewise if you just believe that you chose God, the you can end up resting in your decision about God rather than actually in him, and you are in a danger of 'un-choosing' him if it doesn't work out. Connect the dots and you would say that it is more like a dance or a relationship where you embrace each other and respond and move with each other, and neither is dominated.
This all encompassing view of things has broadened my view of God, Truth is not found whether something is black or white, it's how these shades apply to the painting.
(Modern) Protestant thinking (though Catholics and Orthodox can be just as much to blame) would always try to divide. "I think white, you think black sorry but we're different". By connecting the dots or tying things together you might say "well what if one side of the coin is black and the other is white?" What is not helpful when using this method (most of the time) is to say "lets find a grey".
Christianity is full of these sort of Paradoxes (Trinity, Nature of Christ, Marriage) You have to hold that the trinity is three Persons but one God - you can't split it. Bringing things together means you create space for unity, understanding, and love - I mean this conceptually and in reality.
What's great is that you can apply this to so many concepts and theologies and it has helped me makes sense of so many arguments that seem to tear stuff apart.
Another benefit is that it also balances you out. When a group decide specifically "this is our side of the coin" then it shades the rest of your theology in an unhealthy way. For example if you take a Calvinistic view of salvation in that God has chosen you, then you end up believing the God hasn't chosen others, which then leads you to believe that Christians are better than others. Likewise if you just believe that you chose God, the you can end up resting in your decision about God rather than actually in him, and you are in a danger of 'un-choosing' him if it doesn't work out. Connect the dots and you would say that it is more like a dance or a relationship where you embrace each other and respond and move with each other, and neither is dominated.
This all encompassing view of things has broadened my view of God, Truth is not found whether something is black or white, it's how these shades apply to the painting.
