Is It Redemptive?
POSTED IN: Authenticity, Blog Posts, Blogging, Makes You Think
I’ve been wrestling with the fine line between what is and isn’t ‘acceptable’ to post on my blog. And I’m not talking ‘acceptable’ as defined by what others might think of me, but rather what God thinks.
I’m not afraid to throw out a controversial topic and let the chips fall where they may. I’ve stood on my fair share of soapboxes. Healthy discussion is good and helps you look at an issue from different perspectives. But at what point does a healthy conversation turn into something less…healthy.
I had a post written last week that would have been guaranteed to stir up some heated discussion. It was a well-written post if I do say so myself and I was looking forward to reading the comments it generated. I was ready to publish when Lisa challenged me to get an outside opinion (if you remember, one of my rules is to never publish anything she’s not comfortable with).
So I emailed the post to a few people to see what they would say about it. Not surprisingly I got several replies from fellow bloggers telling me to hit that publish button and let the conversation begin (us bloggers are always ready to push the envelope and open up a good conversation).
I also sent the post in question to a couple fellow church planter friends to see what he would say. One in particular I was meeting for coffee the next day. During our conversation over coffee God used him to help me define my personal standard for blogging.
Malcolm X or Martin Luther King?
Anyone can stir up controversy or start an argument, my friend said. People have been standing on their soapboxes for as long as there have been issues to shout about. But no matter how important the issue may be, there is always two ways to approach it.
In the 1950s and 60s civil rights were a huge hotbed issue as African Americans faced injustice and discrimination at the hands of racist individuals. After years of slavery, lynchings, beatings and discrimination many African Americans were ready to put an end to this injustice.
Two notable leaders emerged in the civil rights movement.
One was a muslim minister named Malcolm X. He spoke out against racism and encouraged African Americans to take “whatever means necessary” to end the injustice. His talks were filled with anger and fueled violence among his followers.
The second leader was a clergyman named Martin Luther King Jr. He spoke out against the same issues of racism and civil rights but encouraged a non-violent approach. His famous “I have a Dream” speech set the tone for the civil rights movement of his day.
Both civil rights leaders spoke out about the same issues but one spoke out of his own anger and bitterness while the other encouraged peace and restoration. Malcom X’s angst spread to his followers who got caught up in rallying behind their shared bitterness. Martin Luther King said,
In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred
Anger vs. Peace.
Violence vs. Restoration.
Rebellion vs. Redemption.
Is It Redemptive?
As we talked over coffee my friend asked me this simple question: Is it redemptive?
Are you writing controversial things that encourage others to get caught up in your own animosity? Or do your words bring restoration and redemption?
There is a time and place for righteous anger. Even Jesus threw the money-changers out of the temple. But his goal was always to redeem and restore that which was broken.
As I look back on some of the soapboxes I’ve stood on I can’t honestly say that restoration was my goal. In most cases I was angry or frustrated and wanted other people to be angry with me.
It’s a lot easier to be Malcolm X than it is to be Martin Luther King.
So starting today I’m going to set a new qualification for every post I write. My goal is to follow in Christ’s footsteps (Lk 4:18-19) and seek restoration and redemption. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop writing about controversial or unpopular topics. Quite the contrary. Jesus was a very controversial figure in his day.
What will change for me is the motivation behind what I write. If I can’t write about something in such a way that encourages redemption and restoration, I simply won’t write it.
Think about how asking yourself this simple question would change how you write and speak…
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May 27, 2009
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I like it. The more focused you can make your blogging, the better it’s likely to be. Kudos!
Clayton Bell’s last blog post..The greatest enemy to the Gospel is?
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May 27, 2009
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Way to go Brad. You’re on the right track.
A year or so ago I almost started stupidchurchsigns.com. It was to be a site where people could send in pictures of stupid church signs (you know the ones: “USE SON SCREEN TO AVOID BURNING”) but I thought, “that’s what the world would do. It’d start a site to poke fun.” So I abandoned the idea using the same qualification you’ll now use to write your posts.
Is it redemptive? stupidchurchsigns.com definitely would not have been.
Good luck, I know you’ll continue to produce great content!
Shawn’s last blog post..Hillsong United – Tear Down The Walls
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May 27, 2009
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this is an excellent post, Brad. it’s too easy to throw out a controversial or incendiary topic and then relish in our own ability to create “conversation.” I find myself wondering if in all my “conversation starting” I’ve aided nothing more than a bad ego and continued bitterness in people. Thanks for writing this.
Sean B.’s last blog post..the upkeep
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May 27, 2009
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2 thumbs up, Brad! Great post, and a great reminder to everyone. Too often we just want to “vent” and we don’t care about what other people think. It’s good for us to step back and think about what we say, and do what Eph. 4:29 says; only say “what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Good stuff, man. Great challenge to us all!
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May 27, 2009
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Pants! What a challenge….hmmm…..
Brunettekoala’s last blog post..Travelling Tuesday: My Hometown
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May 27, 2009
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A noble and worth goal, to be sure. So why is it that the thought at the forefront of my mind is “what was the unpublished post about?”
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May 27, 2009
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I think I will go ahead coin a word that fits this blog standard in the spirit of a popular beer manufacturer… “REDEEMABILITY”.
As in, the Ruggles blog has REDEEMABILITY and the Nick Asolas blog usually doesn’t.
Nick’s last blog post..Media Bias that Makes You Smile
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May 27, 2009
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What a great post and something we should all think about. I recently wrote a post that I waited before posting because I wanted there to be truth in love and not an angry post. I think it’s always good to rethink posts that could be controversial.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Amy’s last blog post..Somebody Told Me by Rick Bragg
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May 27, 2009
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i think blogging is similar to doing comedy. a comedian can get cheap pops by using insulting humor, dropping f-bombs, and trying to shock people and get a reaction.
The really good ones, the artists of comedy, don’t need to work blue. They can get people to laugh because they are funny and have discovered how to get the reaction from their audience and still being respected. A great example is Bill Cosby.
Great post and a challenge for me as well. I’m standing by you on this pledge.
jason salamun’s last blog post..The Bible Changed My Mind
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May 27, 2009
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Great thought. Great post. Thanks for the challenge.
Drew Leaver’s last blog post..Tozer Talk Tonight
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May 27, 2009
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If you had a thumbs up, “like” button to this, I would click it.
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May 27, 2009
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Good post. I find my great passion, women leading in the church, to be so very controversial. And it was well over fifteen years before the Lord let me begin speaking and writing on the subject for that very reason. All of our words should come from a whole heart that seeks to see redemption and restoration. Anger only takes you far from the heart of Jesus. Thanks for your transparency.
Beth Taylor’s last blog post..Rooted in Knowing
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May 27, 2009
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Wow man….really transparent and open…. It’s what it’s all about though, are we glorifying God and helping restore others who are lost or hurting, etc…. as a side note I can’t leave a post without being a little silly after a serious comment. I do feel hurt about losing the coffee contest Brad… I am not feeling much redemption or restoration from you for not picking Cherith or I.
BJ’s last blog post..Here I am Lord… Send Me
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May 27, 2009
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Great post Brad. I need to take this to heart.
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May 27, 2009
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woah.
this was so good, brad. i always appreciate your authenticity and humility.
i wonder how much of my blogging as of late has been redemptive? or just … venting.
hmmm…
alece’s last blog post..control
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May 28, 2009
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Have we talked about this topic before?
Anyways, glad it’s redemptive!
Jason Ruggles’s last blog post..Kun Kao Jai Passat Anggrit Mai Ka?
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May 28, 2009
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Great stuff Brad. We’d all be better off asking this question before we hit that publish button!
Nic Burleson’s last blog post..Making The Most of My Summer…
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May 29, 2009
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Good word Brad…maybe we should all get blog-post accountability partners!
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May 29, 2009
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Well said Brad, and a great example/illustration.
It is difficult some times to step back and gain perspective, especially when fired up about something and when you are writing with so much passion at play. This provides a good measuring stick to lay our writing next to.
Thank you for sharing, and hello to Lisa and the kids!
chad houck’s last blog post..Is all well with you?
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June 18, 2009
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Love this Brad. There are a few ideas that I’ve had to walk away from because they would do more damage than good. And a few that I had to walk into because they were what needed to be shared regardless of how they might be received. Great thought man, awesome words of wisdom in this post.
Jon
Jon Acuff’s last blog post..#563. Keeping at least one non believer friend around strictly for witnessing purposes.