The First Presbyterian Church of Northport First Annual The William T. P. Rambo Spiritual Enrichment Weekend April 13, 2008

The Rev. Michael Lindvall, Pastor - Brick Presbyterian Church, NYC -
Conducting Discussion during the program entitled "The Middle Way"
of The William T. P. Rambo Spiritual Enrichment Weekend on April 13, 2008

Outline by Michael L. Lindvall
First Presbyterian Church of Northport, L. I.

The situation in the world and church today is often characterized by polarization of opinion.
Such a two-sided picture of truth imagines a flat surface with a line down the middle
separating pure truth on one side and complete falsehood on the other.
This way of understanding truth and having opinions is characterized by:
1. Simplification of ideas — mine and yours.
2. Segregation of "parties" of opinion from each other.
3. Demonization of those with whom you disagree.
4. Imagining resolution of conflict only in terms of victory or defeat.
5. Spiraling conflict leading to bad behavior on the part of "combatants."

I would suggest a middle way characterized by the following:
1. Affirming that sometimes (not always) a synthesis that combines two "extremes" is actually superior to both.
2. Accepting that good old-fashioned compromise is noble and often the best one can achieve.
3. Eschewing the "party line" that says just because you think a certain way about one issue, you must "belong to the party" on all issues.
(Being "liberal" about one thing does not mean you might not be "conservative" about another.)
4. Replacing the image of truth as a flat surface with a line drawn across it with the image of "pyramids of truth and untruth."
5. Maintaining humility about what you think and believe

The Pastors answer questions from the attendees

The Revs. Timothy Hoyt Duncan, William T.P. Rambo, Michael Lindvall