It surprised me a bit this week during one of our walks (we walk a lot!) when a stranger across the street decided to comment on my dogs. He complimented them to start, and then said that he knew they were both girls. When I corrected that they’re one of each, he became adamant. His rationale: “Boy dogs pee on every post. That dog walked right past a post – it’s a girl!” I countered that not every post gets watered, and then we continued down the street at our normally quick pace, ignoring the rest of the gentleman’s fervent assertions.
Whatever was going on with him, he was clearly entrenched in his perspective, and nothing would dissuade him. (At least, not from across the street – and we weren’t going closer to put Shadow’s anatomy on display!) It led to reflection on how we can all become deeply convicted of certain ideas, such that they become unchangeable regardless of any new information.
Any entrenchment may have both positive and negative aspects, and it is helpful to try to be open to hearing various perspectives. It can be helpful to consider what is an anchor for us as opposed to what may adapt to new circumstances and information.
Especially when it comes to our faith, it’s helpful to recognise these both can exist!
We are rooted and grounded in love; that for me is unchangeable. God, the source of perfect love, is at the core of who we are and all we do. We remind ourselves of this as a tenet of our faith to keep us secure from moral compromise or supporting us through doubt.
Sometimes our faith experience adapts, however, with new information: errors in biblical translations can have vast influence (an early edition of the scriptures forgot the “not” in verse 14 of the commandments – “thou shalt commit adultery”; another bible in the beatitudes replaced an E with an L, blessing the “placemakers” as children of God…). While we recognise such examples as amusing typographical errors, other mistranslations can cause broad theological conviction over time. We must always be aware of the evolution of language, of editorial commentary and bias.
Entrenchment can also happen when political alliances may be attached to religious convictions and theologies. The overlapping of political identity with religion can lead to ideological blindspots and difficulty in separating what is of empire and what is divine. Compromise and discourse becomes less likely as opposing views are considered spiritual or moral deficiencies.
And of course, theological rigidity in such convictions can serve to limit (or prohibit) acts of love, grace, and community. A legalistic entrenchment prioritises divisions of right and wrong, us and them, in or out, and thereby misses the nuance of being the people that God has made us to be. This type of entrenchment can lead not only to obstacles in discourse but also in self-reflection.
When we feel the need to be right all the time, we lose the chance to learn and grow. Our own self-justification can prevent us from participating in the gloriousness that is God’s all-present love. So let us hold on to the truths that never change: we are cherished and wanted, recipients of God’s infinite grace… and use that knowledge as the foundation from which we might spread love in the world.
