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by Georgie Márquez-André January 24, 2005
CONTEXT, n. The general series or composition of a discourse; more particularly, the parts of a discourse which precede or follow the sentence quoted; the passages of scripture which are near the text, either before it or after it. The sense of a passage of scripture is often illustrated by the context. AC'CURACY, n. Exactness; exact conformity to truth; or to a rule or model; freedom from mistake; nicety; correctness; precision which results from care. The accuracy of ideas or opinions is conformity to truth. The value of testimony depends on its accuracy; copies of legal instruments should be taken with accuracy. This past week we saw President Bush being inaugurated, all the pomp and tradition... intermingled with discord and protests. Once again, it got me thinking about how liberals truly believe that THEY are the enlightened ones, and that the rest of us just don't get it. And, once again, I marveled at the ignorance and short sightedness of this supposed elite.
Earlier I was reading a short article listing the why's for studying Christian History, and one of the points caught my eye. Why study history... any history? "Because it liberates you from the tyranny of the present—and of the recent past."
The sad truth is that today's world seems to be caught up in a constant cycle of "presentism." By that I mean that everyone seems to have forgotten that in order to understand today, we need to have context. And context is something way too many people seem to want to avoid. Whether it is Bible interpretation (or more likely MIS-interpretation), or opinions on the war on Iraq, or on whether we should go ahead with the inauguration or not, it would seem that some pretty intense ideologies are being based on reactions to the moment.
Others have written great articles about the historical facts behind toned-downed or cancelled presidential inauguarations (here's one). I am concerned with a group of people that do not care for truth, for history, for accuracy.
For example, among the many chants used by the protestors against President Bush was this clever ditty: "Racist... sexist... anti-gay... Bush and Cheney, go away." The fact that Bush has appointed more high ranking minorities and women than any previous Democratic administration, obviously had no bearing on these protesters. That Cheney's lesbian daughter is often seen standing by her father's side... this had no bearing on the protesters.
Another ditty:
But, I digress.
I'm not sure this country was ever, truly, ONE nation under God... there have always been great divisions... but I wonder if we will ever again have true dialogue and discussion across the idelogical divide. The kind of enlightening dialogue and discussion that makes one carefully evaluate why one believes what one believes. The questioning interactions that cause us to go deep and search and re-search our facts. The interactions where one seeks to learn more, grow deeper, examine further. Where we agree that we can have differing answers to the questions of life, but where we give each other the benefit of the doubt, assuming that we are all, honestly, searching for truth. The place of discussion where truth is, in effect, valued.
At least once this week... try to engage someone in this kind of dialogue, it is called conversing, and it is becoming a rarity. CONVERSATION, n. Oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas
Have a blessed week.
All definitions taken from Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary. Sign up now for Georgie Márquez André's Motivation of the Week e-zine. Receive inspirational thoughts, Bible studies, fitness tips and just general motivation to grow in body, mind, and spirit in your email box weekly. Yours FREE!! Here is a sample of the motivational messages you'll receive:
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