OPENED-MINDEDNESS VS. NARROW-MINDEDNESS
By Israel Crocker
November 2008
It is with great honor that we at the Fairhope church of Christ are bringing the Gospel to the good people of Fairhope, Alabama. Our hope is to help those who are interested in studying the Scriptures, or those who will honestly seek God’s will, to find the answers they need. The Holy Spirit commends those who are willing to search the Bible for true answers, “And these were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to see if those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Also, we hope that you will have an open mind toward the future issues discussed, and please remember that God determines the truth on all issues (John 17:17).
A LOOK AT SOME TERMS
To be open-minded is generally well received among most people. To truly have an opened mind, however, is not what the average person believes. Webster’s Third New International Dictionary denotes open-minded as, “receptive of arguments or ideas: free from rigidly fixed preconceptions: unprejudiced….” This definition is objective and accurate. However, one can observe from popular culture’s view, open-mindedness is a person who is open to anything without restrictions. Similarly, the dictionary defines liberal as, “...one that is open-minded or not strict in his observance of orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways.” To be open-minded then, according to Webster’s Dictionary and most people, is to be liberal.
It is also simple to define narrow-minded. Webster’s states: “...of a limited mental or spiritual capabilities: shallow….” Once again, the common perception of the narrow-minded person is one who is traditional in his views and also shallow. Is it accurate to consider one who holds to certain traditions as narrow-minded? This writer contends on the contrary, because some traditions are God-given (2 Thess. 2:15). The narrow-minded person refuses to think or grow spiritually. He is prejudiced, as opposed to the open-minded person who is unprejudiced.
THE PROBLEM WITH PREJUDICE
A prejudiced person is considered by many to be synonymous with racial bigotry. True, racism is a type of prejudice, but it is not the only way to express it. Prejudice may also be used in forming ideas, or even the way one views the world as a whole. Former atheist and world renown philosopher Antony Flew denotes prejudice as: “Any belief, whether correct or incorrect, held without proper consideration of, or sometimes in defiance of, the evidence.” Mr. Flew continues with this qualifying statement: “A distinction must be made between this meaning and its use as a term of abuse for all strongly held, erroneous, or alien convictions.”* In other words, there is a difference between refusing to consider any ideas outside one’s beliefs because of preconceived ideas; verses one who has a conviction based that he continues to maintain by his study. The honest (open-minded) person will consider all information, weigh anything new against the standard of the Bible; then if found true, will accept the new teaching as God’s truth. This is called growth in knowledge, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18).
There is a difference between having a conviction to which one will adamantly adhere, than being unwilling to accept a new idea based upon preconceived notions. To be convicted about truth is honorable, but if prejudice forbids one to consider any further information, then he will not be able grow in knowledge or confirm that he has learned the truth.
TRUTH HAS NOTHING TO FEAR
Growth in knowledge is empowering, and the power of knowing truth is insurmountable. God says, “The wicked flee when no man pursues; but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). When an individual has the truth on any matter he has nothing to fear. He especially should not be afraid to consider anything new; also, if he is truly convinced that his belief is true, then it will stand against any principle that challenges his belief. He has nothing to fear.
Why should he not be afraid to consider new ideas? Because absolute truth does not change; it only becomes clearer as one gains more knowledge. Jesus said of His unchanging truth: “The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35).
YOU MAY HAVE BEEN DECIEVED
As discussed, the unchanging nature of truth permits one to consider new information. This is a healthy way of learning; because there is a substantial chance that you have been lie to about something in religion. Please do not be angry at what this writer is saying, because he too has been mislead. This is one way growth in Biblical knowledge is gained. When a person obeys the Gospel he/she is considered a babe in Christ. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). The more one grows he learns that previous ways of living or beliefs were not on the mark with Scripture. However, if he refuses to accept what the Bible is teaching because of his previous convictions (erroneous prejudices), then he will never reach spiritual maturity.
Even family members can misguide, albeit unintentionally, their spouses and siblings. Jesus taught that as important as our parents and children are, they are not to be the measure of religious truth.
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. (Matt. 10:37-38)
Family tradition that has been handed down is usually valuable, but if one basis his religious conviction on what parents have taught only, then his understanding is basis upon man’s ways and not God’s (Isa. 55:8-9).
TRUE OPEN-MINDEDNESS
The Bible gives a wonderful example of open-minded individuals.
And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. They, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews. And these were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to see if those things were so. (Acts 17:10-11)
Paul and Silas were preaching to the Jews at Berea, which the Holy Spirit describes as noble. Why were they considered noble? Because of their actions toward Paul’s preaching. Paul was an inspired apostle of Jesus, but these Jews did not blindly “swallow” what Paul and Silas were saying. Yet, these Jews were open-minded by the phrase “received the word with all readiness of mind.” The Berean Jews were seeking truth and willing to consider what Paul was saying, if whether or not it was from God. And they did more by searching the Scriptures to see if what was said by these two was true. Such is the honorable and a noble thing to do in God’s eyes.
Our God gives man the dignity to use his reasoning ability to learn truth from Him. Friend, are you willing to have an open mind? Will consider some of the things that we have discussed, and will discuss in future studies? God is searching for those who love Him enough to do what He says (John 14:15). To truly have an open mind is the only way to know His will. “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).
*Antony Flew, A Dictionary of Philosophy (New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press), 286.