Does having a thought about a possible opening to a novel while listening to headline news on NPR count as writing, if I don’t actually write anything?
When a pastor is going to tackle a subject on which said pastor knows there is going to be strong and differing passions, should said pastor try to demonstrate an understanding of the differing sides or take a strong position?
When are loving America and loving God in conflict with each other?
Do I sabotage my own intellectual curiosity, and if so, what in the world does that mean? Am I lazy?
Tough questions. I’ll choose D, all of the above.
I would hope that everyone (who professes to follow God) would identify that love of God “trumps” love of country. The difficulty I see is that biblical interpretation is so varied, therefore the alignment of God and country is subject to the same interpretational forces.
“Does having a thought about a possible opening to a novel while listening to headline news on NPR count as writing, if I don’t actually write anything?” No. But recording that thought, on a napkin in the car or on the memo function of your phone, does.
“should said pastor try to demonstrate an understanding of the differing sides or take a strong position?” Depends on if the pastor has a strong opinion. Also demonstrating a real, not straw man, understanding of differing sides is helpful to the dialogue even or especially when you are going to take a strong position on one side.
Do you think that reading juvenile fiction is sabotaging my intellectual curiosity?
Lazy is in the eye of the beholder.
“Also demonstrating a real, not straw man, understanding of differing sides is helpful to the dialogue even or especially when you are going to take a strong position on one side.” Yes! Thank you, Robin.
I never worry that I will hear what’s not true from you Gregg. Just always know, that like the rest of us when we speak God’s truth, it’s not ALL of God’s truth. Just be faithful to speak the word He gives you and it will not return unto Him void.