We live in a day of politicized discourse that puts no premium on clear assertions that let people know exactly where one stands.
The reason is that clarity will always result in more criticism than ambiguity will, and vagueness will win more votes in a hostile atmosphere than forthrightness will.
But we want nothing to do with that attitude.
Jesus refused to converse with religious leaders who crafted their answers so as to conceal what they thought (Mark 11:33 - "And they answered and said unto Jesus, we cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.").
Our aim (if not our achievement) is always to be like Paul when he said, "We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Corinthians 4:2 - But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God).
The reason is that clarity will always result in more criticism than ambiguity will, and vagueness will win more votes in a hostile atmosphere than forthrightness will.
But we want nothing to do with that attitude.
Jesus refused to converse with religious leaders who crafted their answers so as to conceal what they thought (Mark 11:33 - "And they answered and said unto Jesus, we cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.").
Our aim (if not our achievement) is always to be like Paul when he said, "We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Corinthians 4:2 - But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God).
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