2. Interpretations differ because one party respects the Bible less.
This may be the myth I struggle with most — especially on Twitter. When I come across someone who takes an aggressive stance against something I believe, I want to shrug their argument off and say, “Well, they obviously just don’t respect the Bible as much as I do.”
You can see why this assumption is so tempting. It gives me the reassurance that I’m right and have a higher view of scripture than the humanist fool who dares disagree with me God.
However, this myth rests on the very shaky assumption that respect for Scripture always leads to correct interpretation and application of scripture. Too bad scripture itself doesn’t back this assumption! Apollos fervently respected the Old Testament and teachings of John the Baptist. But his own sermons were off-base enough for Priscilla and Aquilla to pull him aside and give him a crash course in the gospel of Jesus (Acts 18:24–28).
This myth also forces us to lay aside what we experience every day. When two people sharply disagree about something, it’s not usually because one party takes the subject less seriously than the other. We assume the opposite is true: the disagreement exists because both people are taking the subject very seriously.
4. Contradiction is condemnation.
This one shows up all the time. One Christian leader will speak out against a certain teaching, and people start tweeting about how so-and-so thinks everyone he disagrees with is going to hell. For whatever reason, the Christian (and “post-Christian”) crowd is quick to equate contradiction to condemnation.
Contradiction says, “That’s wrong.” Condemnation says, “That’s so wrong, there’s no hope for your soul.”
Obviously, there’s a huge gap between the two. Until people start getting mad.
I think this myth may be more Klout-driven than reason-driven. There’s something about sending people to hell that gets everyone fired up. It’s a great way to get attention, raise the rabble, and remind everyone why they hate so-and-so.
And of course, it immediately escalates the conversation beyond any civil tone.
7. If you think you’re right, you’re arrogant.
This one rears up in the comment sections of blogs everywhere. It’s the idea that anyone who dares assume they’re correct is an arrogant punk. Who are you to believe that between the two of us, you’re right?
Arrogant people think they’re right. And being right all the time can certainly give you a big head. But if we assume that anyone who’s sure of his opinion is arrogant, then we cheat ourselves out of the opportunity to see why the other person is so certain.
“Wait. Am I the arrogant one?”
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