The Blind Men and the Elephant
The Blind Men and the Elephant
“The Blind Men and the Elephant” by John Godfrey Saxe is a famous version of the 19th Century poem. The poem begins:
It was six men of Hindustan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
They conclude that the elephant is like a wall, snake, spear, tree, fan or rope, depending upon where they touch. They have a heated debate that does not come to physical violence. But in Saxe’s version, the conflict is never resolved.
Moral:
So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen![i]
Recently, I was reminded of this poem while listening to a discussion about God. Each person used a singular verse and their “feel” of it to make a conclusive generalization. What are some of topics we might want to further study before we adamantly state our position? Consider the following.
Making Moral Judgments: Often I hear people quote Matthew 7:1 and interpret it that we should never judge another person’s behavior. Yet, Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:15-16 that we have an obligation to the Christian who is sinning and which obviously requires we make a judgment. Is perhaps the key that we judge the sin but not the person? “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listen to you, you have won your brother.”
Prayer: Some people use Matthew 6:5 as the basis for their stand against praying in public. However, Matthew 6:5 is about more than the subject of private prayer. It deals with the heart of why we pray. Are we praying to be seen? Or, is our prayer being humbly offered in sincerity to God? The Bible is filled with calls for public prayer, Jesus praying publicly – even from the cross, and Christians praying publicly. “At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men,’” Acts 1:15, 24.
Expression of Worship: This needs little explanation except to say that there are many ways worship is expressed in the Bible. Our not being comfortable with how someone else worships doesn’t mean their worship is wrong or less sincere than ours. “David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, …So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the trumpet,” 2 Samuel 6:14-15. “She (Hannah) greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard,”
1 Samuel 1:10,15.
Jesus’ Personality: Some people focus on Jesus’ meekness and inclusiveness. While it’s true that God’s gift of salvation is extended to everyone (John 3:16), Jesus says there is only one way to heaven and that is the narrow way through Him. (Matthew 7:13,14; John 14:6) It is true that Jesus is gentle and humble in heart, but He is also God and zealous against those who distort truth and harm others. “He (Jesus) found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;” His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house will consume Me,’” John 2:14-15,17. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire and on His head are many diadems;” Revelation 19:11-12a.
Social Responsibility: We do well to study a variety verses to understand the heart and nature of God. For instance, consider the following two verses in light of each other. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,” Proverbs 25:21. “…If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either,” 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
Women’s Roles in the Church: Some churches base their position about women’s roles in the church on 1 Corinthians 14:34. Yet in Acts 2:17-18 Peter referenced the prophet Joel in relation to the occurrence of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. “It shall be in the last days, God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; Even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy.”
Okay, I hope I haven’t made everyone mad at me and caused a stir. That wasn’t my intention. Rather, I believe that as our days become increasingly challenging, it’s more important than ever for us to study the Bible so we can accurately articulate our beliefs not only in the church but in society. I can’t but wonder if we wouldn’t have a more accurate understanding of God if we considered more Scriptures than the ones with which we’re most familiar. I wonder if we shouldn’t consider the whole elephant and the appropriate context for each of our “favorite” verses. Certainly, we can appreciate that if a single animal has so many parts that can be differently interpreted, but are all true in the right context, so God is more complex than we can imagine. The wise person will study and consider the nature of God and His Word in the context of the Bible passage and whole of Scripture; not just the tail, trunk, or side. Here’s to studying! “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.