Have you ever been accused of being narrow minded? Most everyone has at one time or another, especially if you are a Christian. Gospel preachers, and sometimes elders in the church, often are accused of it. In fact, anyone who contends for the truth in spiritual matters sometimes is accused of being narrow minded. Yet, people have no problem with being narrow minded in other areas of life. Just don’t be so narrow in religion.
No slight deviation is acceptable in recording one’s name, address, phone number, zip code, social number, etc. on important documents. It is important to be completely correct. In mathematics there is no room for broad mindedness. The solution of the problem is either right or wrong. The same is true in medicine. Who wants a “broadminded” doctor to prescribe treatment for sickness, or a pharmacist who thinks it is unimportant to be accurate? All sports have rules and officials to enforce them. An inch can be the difference in winning or losing. Tolerance is unaccepted. You play according to the rules, or you don’t play. And everyone accepts that procedure to be the best. No one looks at these things as being narrow minded, but they are.
Jesus was narrow minded. He taught that man shall live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. (Matt.4:4) Our judgment will be based on the exact words He spoke. (John 12:48) The people had heard certain things about the law of Moses, and some of it was not true, or misapplied. Jesus was much more specific about the law, and how it was to be applied to their lives.
The apostles were narrow minded. Paul was careful to declare “the whole counsel of God”. (Acts 20:27) Teachers of the word were to be cautious that they spoke only the “oracles of God”. (I Pet.4:11) Anyone who perverted the gospel would stand accursed before God. (Gal.1:8,9) Others also were concerned for accuracy. The Bereans searched the scriptures to be sure Paul’s teachings were so, and as a result of confirming it, many became believers. (Acts 17:11) It was necessary for Apollos to be taught “the word of God more accurately”. (Acts 18:24,28) James wrote, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10)
In areas of opinion we must be broad minded, but where God has spoken there is no room for opinion. If God’s word says it, that must settle the matter. And if it’s interpreted as being narrow minded, then so be it.
Richard