Walking the Line

The ancient Greeks had a concept known as the "golden mean." It taught that what is good avoids extremes and instead resides in a middle ground. Greco-Roman philosophy taught that a civilized man was ruled by reason and not his passions. The passions, which were thought to be of the physical realm, were considered either imperfect or downright evil and reason, which was part of the spiritual realm, was thought to be good. Men should avoid both depression and extreme jubilation. Stoicism especially taught that man should forsake his passions and emotions. Thus, the truth was somewhere in the middle. I have tried to apply this to my life today in many spiritual questions. It has been tough as the median is a thin line to walk. What I mainly have in mind are those areas where Christianity preaches one virtue but expediency seems to demand another. Are expedient virtues and Christian virtues in contradiction? Is there any reconciling them? Beneath are some examples:

*Confidence vs. pride - The Bible condemns pride in no uncertain terms. Satan fell because he was consumed by pride and desired the throne of God. Man fell because he lusted after the serpent's words: "you shall be as God." Constantly Christians are admonished to humility. However, good self-esteem is also important for humans. Christ commanded us to "love thy neighbor as thyself." How do we, as Christians, remain confident without being prideful? In today's society the humble are often depicted as lacking confidence where the prideful are seen as being full of it. What is the happy median here?

*Strength vs. weakness - The NT constantly commands Christians to be servants. We are reminded that Christ came to be a servant for the elect and the Gospels reveal that Christ constantly behaved in a manner of servitude e.g. washing his disciples feet. Yet life demands, and this is for men especially, that they be strong. Men, by nature, are meant to be the protectors of the home and family. Men are often judged by their strength; physical, emotional, and mental. How does a man be both lord and servant? How does he be strong yet full of humility and servitude?

*Niceness vs. Kinds - We are told to love our neighbor as ourselves and "turn the other cheek," yet excessive kindness is frowned upon in American society. People regarded as too kind are regarded as pushovers. Nice people are taken advantage of and regarded as weak. How do we, as Christians, remain full of love and encouragement yet allay suspicions that our kindness comes not from insecurity but from devote spiritual beliefs.

*Success vs. asceticism - Americans value success more than any other virtue. Americans praise a man who rises from rags to riches due to hard work regardless of his ethics or motivations. Americans love winners in sports, Hollywood, and business. Yet, Christians are told to seek first the kingdom of God and are warned that "man cannot serve both God and mammon." We are to look for victory, not in this life, but in the next. Yet we are also admonished by St. Paul to be hard workers for a fair wage. Also, is there something sinful of success? Is it wrong to pursue material blessing? These things did come to OT saints such as Abraham, Solomon, and Job. How much should we pursue material blessings when we are called to spiritual blessing?

*Innocence vs. naivety - Contemporary Americans mock those who are naive. Those that are innocent are viewed as repressed. How does a Christian allay the accusations of teetotalism and repression yet remain innocent i.e. be innocent but not naive?


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