A very popular idea among Christians and non-Christians alike is that of being a 'blind follower'--or some derivation thereof--of Jesus. Both sides attack the idea often sharing similar arguments about reason and science, etc. While I won't deny that Christians need to think about their faith carefully--I wouldn't have gotten a Philosophy degree if I didn't--I want to take a look at this idea from a different angle in order to see if straw men are being set up and to see if those who are the objects of such derogatory comments are settling for these straw men.
Typically what is being communicated by someone calling another person a 'blind follower' is that they take everything at face value and question nothing. They just follow along and do what they're told. Non-christians often point to logic and history and science as indicators that those who follow Jesus, according to the Bible, do so in a sort of 'blind' way, ignoring the empirical data that calls the facts of Scripture into question, as well as the ethical and moral issues associated with being a Christian in today's world.
The Christian who takes aim at these followers shares a common bond with them but is typically frustrated at the job many Christians do in the public square that make us seem rather ignorant. The charge is often to become involved in some kind of apologetical study in order to be more informed. I think this is a great idea and though all Christians aren't intellectually minded to the same degree, we can all be more informed about what we believe and should stretch ourselves to be able to provide a defense for the hope that is in us.
So what am I taking issue with? Well... the 'blind' part and the 'following' part put together. This idea seems to ignore way too much Scripture as well as real experience. Here's what I mean: when was the last time you met someone who followed every single thing in Scripture? I'll answer that for you. Never. You never have. Next question: when was the last time you met someone who thought every single word was immediately relevant right here and now? I'll be kind and answer for you again. Never. My point is that Scripture teaches that we are all born into sin and thus resist God's truth. We will never, ever reach a point where we both completely agree with (to the extent that we actually live in that belief) everything in Scripture, nor be in a place where we are actually capable of doing so (this side of the new heavens and new earth, of course).
The idea of a 'blind follower' isn't Biblical and it doesn't take into consideration what being a Christian really looks like. If there really were 'blind followers' then Jesus never would have had to come. You might be able to find an instance where someone is capable of living Biblically in some areas, but not all. And some of those he might do so unintentionally, in which case we couldn't really say he was being "obedient".
All of us resist to some degree or another. Christians still resist the truth of Scripture, which is why we also get the moniker 'hypocrite'. A hypocritical blind follower would be a pretty impossible thing indeed. Don't take the bait on this one; let that person know that you resist because of sin and that Jesus came for that very reason.
Comments (1)
I just can't SEE this.