Articles
Blind Partisanship
Where is the line between reasoned commitment and blind partisanship? Reasoned commitment is admirable, whether we think of a politician who courageously pursues his policies in the face of withering criticism, or a general who has faith in his battle plan in spite of the skepticism of armchair warriors.
On the other hand, blind partisanship foolish and destructive. The zealot only sees his own objective. He rejects facts to the contrary; he does not hear wisdom and correction that would help moderate his extremism. He plows ahead in a fog and, reminiscent of Wile E. Coyote, doesn’t realize he has stepped off the cliff until it is too late.
Two examples of blind partisans in the Scriptures:
Pharaoh – To whom his own counselors after the eighth plague said, “Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?” (Ex 10:7). Evidently he didn’t, and he continued his stubbornness until all the firstborn of the land were dead and his army destroyed in the Red Sea.
The Sanhedrin – Who were so drunk with power and desperate to maintain their political advantage that they ignored prophecy, miracles, eyewitness testimony, their own inconsistencies – warning sign after warning sign – to make the most colossal mistake in history (cf. Mt 23:1-13).
To the list of blind partisans may be added modern-day cultists (Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, etc.) who can justify their organizations and doctrines from the same Scriptures that condemn them. Two Jehovah’s Witnesses recently left my front door thinking I am a heathen because I rejected their teaching. On the other hand, I believe they are apostates and false teachers. Both of us cannot be right.
So, am I a blind partisan or a committed disciple? How capable am I of hearing conflicting information, analyzing it fairly and drawing a different conclusion from what I previously believed? Do I tend to justify everything I do and never listen to an opposing viewpoint? Can I remain confident of my research and conclusions yet keep an open mind to alternative data and explanations? Sometimes I question my objectivity.
And that, I suppose, isn’t all bad. How we draw our conclusions about God’s word is crucial in deciding whether we have genuine faith or are simply following our own agenda. A lot rides on our intellectual honesty.
