Hegel and the Power of “Crisis”

Posted on December 10, 2009
Filed Under Philosophy/Ethics |

One of the most prominent philosophers of the 19th Century was G. W. F. Hegel. Discarding an absolute notion of truth, he saw today’s “truth” merely as a passing “bloom” in an evolving process of new “blooms”. Ideas and truth advance, he believed, only as ideas come into conflict. This occurs when a counter idea (the antithesis) arises to challenge the status quo (the thesis). It was this “conflict” or “crisis” which brought about the “higher idea” (the synthesis).

Marx and Darwin applied this notion to the social and biological realm. Marx and Communism stood on a pillar of revolution. The “higher social order” could only arise from the “crisis” of conflict—the proletariat arising to battle the bourgeoisie. Darwin and Neo-Darwinian theory see the higher biological order arising only from a life and death struggle—as favorably mutated forms win the battle for survival over the less fortunate ones.

I hear many Christians propagate a form of this “Hegelian” thought by stating: “Well, you know that real growth only comes out of a crisis.”

I challenge that. (Ha! My antithesis!)

It is true that the Lord CAN bring good out of evil and out of a “crisis”. But that is because of His grace, not necessarily because of His design. The famous verse in Romans 8 states this:
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Notice that the promise isn’t for everyone and “all things” certainly must include both “blessings” and ordinary events as well as the bad stuff or “crises”.

This is much different that saying good “only” arises from a crisis.

It is true that I have experienced much growth as the result of the “struggle in the cocoon”—wrestling with the exposure that comes from drawing near to God as the bright light reveals the reality of who I am versus who He Is.

However, there have been equally wonderful times of growth that have come during times of great blessings: watching the birth of my children; the wisdom of a close friend; the sight of the beauty around Nymph Lake on a cold winter day; the testimony of God’s work in the lives of those impacted by the Truth Project; riding horses in the mountains with my Dad; discovering a meadow filled with wild flowers high in the Rockies; cuddled up in front of a wood fire on a cold winter night; hot chocolate…anything chocolate; yesterday’s sunrise…

So it isn’t necessarily true that we need “the crisis” to advance.

But, the larger danger of Hegelian thought is that one begins to think that there is something “magical” in the crisis. It soon becomes the most critical piece in our desire to achieve the “synthesis”. We will even begin to create a crisis if it doesn’t exist, or make you think it exists, even if it really doesn’t. Or make you think it is a “crisis” when it really is just a natural down slope of the curve.

Communism was famous for stirring up the revolution to achieve its goals. (And interestingly, the ‘revolutionaries’ who came to power as part of the ’synthesis’ weren’t anxious for anyone to soon decide that another ‘antithesis’ should arise! So, they continued to wear the revolutionary garb for years and years and kept icons of the ‘revolution’ alive in the minds of the people as if it had just happened or was still ongoing. This prevented anyone from thinking it was time for another ‘crisis’!)

Now whether or not there are seeds of Hegel in the thinking of modern man, I find it interesting that we seem to have bought the same notion that any real change requires a “crisis”.

Some have bought this so deeply that they will sometimes “doctor” the evidence to make the “crisis” appear more dire or imminent.

After all, without the “crisis” we have no movement and without the movement we don’t achieve our goals.

We certainly have had a boatload of them in recent history.

And currently, there are three major ones:
-the Health Care “Crisis”
-the Economic “Crisis”
-the Global Warming “Crisis”

Since it is -5 degrees outside my house right now, and since there is a major world conference in session to achieve the “synthesis”, it would be appropriate to look at the Global Warming Crisis to see if it has evidence of this kind of philosophy behind it or not.

Next time…

Comments

37 Responses to “Hegel and the Power of “Crisis””

  1. Sue on December 10th, 2009 1:10 pm

    Forgive me for my dull thinking, but would you expand on what the growth is from the blessings? I am not really understanding that part. Also, do you think as Christians, we create crisis, whether consciously or subconsciously? If so, can you give some examples? Maybe I am too dumb for your blog, but I am trying to understand.

  2. Roger on December 10th, 2009 4:20 pm

    The intent to use “crisis” on so many fronts is to generate a desire for quick action. But, the word is so often used, we have become desensitized to the word, so one thing gets any more attention than something else. The phony generation of “crisis” is ultimately shown for what it is, typically built on false or shaky premises.

    I was just talking with somebody yesterday about the swine flu “crisis.” The impact seems to be dwindling off, and statistics are showing the flu season to be less significant than most years. So much hype was built around swine flu, when, in reality, the problem wasn’t as anticipated. The danger associated with the “crisis” characterization is that when something that arises that really needs attention, it will get dismissed because “the last one didn’t amount to much.”

    Paul likens our Christian journey to that of a long-distance runner, like a marathon. I get frustrated if I make my journey a series of 100-yard dashes, too many things developed into a crisis, crying for attention. While into my sixth decade of life, I have come to understand that “steady and deep” is a better approach for the marathon, not “quick and shallow,” that a false crisis can generate.

  3. Duane on December 10th, 2009 10:58 pm

    I just subscribed to the news letter. I am so happy to see that you are doing this. My church small home group just finish with The Truth Project video class. We were all sad that it came to an end. Now we will be able to follow your thoughts and comments on and ongoing basis. We were all amazed at how prophetic the teachings were in light of current events. As we watched each session, something would happen that week that just prepared us to recieve the message. I was writing an essay on global warming when the email scandal was first revealed. My researce led me to explore the earth’s biosphere and how it regulates tempurature. The complexity is stunningly beautiful. Only a God like ours could have come up with such an amazing system of checks and balances. I really do not believe carbon emmissions caused by human activity will overwelm it.

  4. Steve on December 11th, 2009 9:28 am

    “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.”
    – Rahm Emanuel

  5. Ian on December 11th, 2009 5:15 pm

    It appears to me that the ones crying “crisis” with such gusto are the same ones that have a financial stack in the outcomes. You have the global wrming scientists wanting more money to combat their crisis, the doctors wanting more support (read money) to provide for their crisis. ETC. The conflict-of-interest is so blatant that it is overlooked.

  6. Tim on December 13th, 2009 6:45 pm

    Looking at this “crisis” discussion at more personal level, I wonder how many people really come through them seeing things clearer or transformed. I believe “crisis” can sometimes be a result of one’s folly, having no God in the equation of life. I certainly hope we do not have to reach a point of crisis in order to realize (”the synthesis”) what good things God has installed for us in the first place. In other words, why go through life, seeking things in the wrong places, leading us from crisis to crisis? When the Words of Life can offer us an alternative. The alternative is reality, finding truth in God. Yet, many come to know God personally through “crisis”. May the Spirit of God continues to work in all situations, crisis or no crisis, reign supreme through it all.

  7. leslie on December 14th, 2009 8:42 am

    King David experienced many crisis.
    I love what he says in Psalm 119:67-69.
    “before I was humbledI went astray, but
    now keep your word.You are good;and do
    good.The arrogant smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart keep your pre
    cepts.”

  8. Ellen on December 14th, 2009 2:51 pm

    This was a great article! The trouble is that a crisis will NEVER produce growth without God’s hand. Creating a crisis where one doesn’t exist is sinful.

  9. Karen on December 15th, 2009 2:33 am

    I can’t seem to avoid thinking “mathematically” about this. A thesis is statement X. Antithesis (in its “pure” form) would be statement -X. A synthesis then should equal 0. Hegel apparently thought of antithesis as anything not equal to X.
    Thinking in terms of Newton’s Laws (another favorite way of looking at things) we have an object in motion that is acted on by a force. In its “pure” form we’re again reduced to no motion; sort of an unstoppable force and immovable object situation.
    The thing is, unless one is very good a spatial physics and/or spatial geometry, it’s not likely that the force acting on the object is going to change course in a controlled manner. There’s no way to claim that any synthesis is beneficial (which returns us to the “chance” concept.) That means that Hegel should have seen crisis as neutral, but the fact that “growth” supposedly comes from crisis makes crisis positive (and apparently invariably positive.)
    Another way to think about crisis is that a crisis catches our attention and wakes us up. The adrenaline “rush” of a crisis makes us feel alive and makes us more aware - a “fight or flight” reflex. This could be the source of the sense we have that a crisis produces benefit or blessing. We’re paying attention. There’s an even bigger rush when we are the “force” that creates or controls the change of direction.
    Which brings to mind a famous “antithesis” to Hegel’s idea: “Power corrupts….”

  10. Ted on December 16th, 2009 4:53 pm

    The Hegelian Dialectic is more of an observation of the way thought systems evolve than it is a call to direct action in creating such an evolution. There are plenty of examples of the dialectic at work within Christianity itself. Consider, for example, the theological crises of the early church (the Arian controversy, for instance), which forged the Christian Orthodoxy and gave rise to the Ecumenical Creeds that are still in use by many conservative churches today. Likewise, the Protestant Reformation was a moment of crisis that stirred change not only in the Reformation churches that seceeded from Rome, but also in the Roman Catholic Church itself. The shockwaves of the Reformation are still felt today, not only in religion, but also in the fields of science, politics, and sociology. A similar potential for conflict and synthesis also exists in the Calvinist/Arminian debate, with the truth most likely lying somewhere between those two extremes. What are your thoughts on this?

  11. Irene on December 17th, 2009 6:50 am

    I love this. I have not had many crisis in my life but plenty of blessings. This making me always wonder when God would send terrible crisis my way so that I may grow in Him more. I feel I do have a very close relationship with my Lord although at this time I am not active with any congregation. I believe God has a purpose for me but am having trouble knowing what that purpose is. Feeling confused at times, but just the same God will provide direction when He is ready.Thanks.

  12. Madzimambo on December 17th, 2009 9:05 am

    I’m not too thrilled with this article. I’m not sure that the author didn’t “work backward” from a point he wanted to make about “growth” that doesn’t arise from a crisis, and simply turned Hegel and Marx into his victims. I don’t think there is anything inherently “wrong”/inaccurate in what Hegel proposed (he didn’t use the words thesis, antithesis, synthesis) but the theory or way of thinking can be misapplied and “taken too far”. Also I think his idea of “antithesis” isn’t what is described here. As far as the “crisis” listed - what about the war on terror? This “crisis” was used time and again by Pres. Bush to justify so many things.
    I often feel that in witnessing to others, in sharing the gospel, I have to create a crisis in the minds of the hearers. I think Jesus did this too, at times. Of course the crisis is real, and it can be immediate, but getting someone to recognize or admit it is very difficult. I’m talking about being in danger of judgement from God, perhaps with eternal consequence. But most people don’t recognize being “lost”/unsaved/fallen as a crisis, they don’t even recognize they’re lost!

  13. Barry W on December 17th, 2009 10:17 am

    This is why the Truth Project and Dr. Tackett are oh so relevant today.

  14. Kaylene on December 28th, 2009 2:15 pm

    I had come to the conclusion that pain, suffering and crisis were somehow catalysts to spiritual growth, b/c in my own experience it was the reason I rebelled and the reason I questioned God enough to build a foundation that couldn’t be shaken anymore.
    Your antithesis opened my eyes to the good in my life that I had become uncomfortable with thinking I shouldn’t be so blessed, maybe God is preparing me for something worse? Now I have been blessed for several years and I have grown closer to God learning more about being humble and intimate spiritually appreciating and praising Him for His goodness.

  15. Jeffrey on December 28th, 2009 9:13 pm

    It is only human nature to avoid situations of Crisis and pain, and it is who or what you turn to in times of crisis which determines who and what you truly worship. In today’s socialist beehive mentality society the Obamanites would have us turn to them and the new God Government when things hit the fan. Hurricane Katrina, bankrupt Medicare and Social Security, and soon Socialized medicine, show us what a reliable God the Government (Edification Of Man) turns out to be. They also are prima facie evidence of man’s cupidity when he thinks that the laws of man can better accomplish those things which we should be accomplishing ourselves as individuals with our God given talents. Our prosperity and modern technology creations indeed serve to deceive us that we are gods unto ourselves, as if we are the creators rather than discoverers of He who created all. Instead of acting like spiritual entities created in God’s image, we instead create God into an image which looks a lot like what we see when we gaze into the mirror, in order to justify to ourselves the deeds we do in the darkness where we hide from our creator. Are we not the children of light? When personal crisis appears we must remember that the base metal must go through the refining fire before it can be shaped into something beautiful. So it is with our lives. When he heat is applied it is usually the big guy upstairs trying to get our attention. Don’t run away from the pain, don’t run away from the discipline, embrace it as a refining friend,go with the flow and in the end you will be amazed how it comes out. It is foolish to ignore this message by hiding from God’s truth with drugs, alcohol, and workaholic behavior. They hide their minds in TV or Rock music, sexual addictions etc., anesthetizing themselves from the painful but God designed necessary growth, locking themselves and their life stage into modes of pre-adult. To quote C.S. Lewis “God whispers to us in our pleasure, he speaks to us through our conscience, but he shouts at us through our pain.” Only the good loving father disciplines, (teaches) the children he loves. Embrace the crisis!

  16. James on December 30th, 2009 10:33 am

    Hegel’s turn of thought proposes crisis as natural outcome of differing opinions; the basis for the relativism of truth being the lack of objective proof for many (or any?) theological or philosophical ideas. Religions have adopted a faith-based approach based on the soothing experience one receives when contemplating their individual deity, and the extended family that is created from the group that agrees to the same principles (or lack thereof). However, Hegel was not attacking the fact of pure truth, just the ability to guess at what it is; so his formula of crisis has exceptions to it, which allow for revelatory ideas and synthesis that lead to new, and, (hopefully) better ideas. The important value to possess though is faith that there is a truth; that the true faith is faith in the truth, no matter what that truth really is (so we are not guessing, but have faith that there is a truth and meaning to the infinite Universe(s)).

  17. dave on January 1st, 2010 9:44 pm

    I share many of your views reguarding crisis’ in life. But rather than get into more personal refletion I went to my concordance. The word crisis is not in the bible but I think variations of cry,cried,crieth do fit.(written over 400 times!)A few examples to look up from Jesus Christ:Lk 16:24,Jn:11:43&12:44 or Ps 34:6

  18. Blake on January 5th, 2010 6:54 pm

    Formal logic teaches us that all it takes to falsify the best of ideas is a false premise.

    Therefore, although the Hegelian cycle of thesis/antithesis/synthesis is useful in advancing man’s understanding when the absolute truth is unknown, the same cannot be said when absolute truth can be known or is even claimed.

    The honest and sincere reader must fully and completely discount any claim of absolute truth before advancing any thesis which assume that absolute truth on the topic does not exist. Failing to perform that due diligence is reckless and irresponsble.

    Thank God that His truth has been revealed and is knowable.

  19. Donna on January 5th, 2010 8:18 pm

    Sometimes, it takes crisis for the unsaved to look to God. To recognize their need. It is smug to suggest, “it’s (God’s grace) not for everyone”.

  20. Bill on January 5th, 2010 11:09 pm

    I agree with Del’s position that crisis is not necessary for real growth to occur in the believer. However, let’s be careful that we don’t minimize the importance of persevering through hard times and challenging circumstances to our personal sanctification. The first chapter of James reminds us that our faith becomes mature and complete when we persevere in the face of all kinds of trials and temptations. These trials and temptations may not always be proportional to a “crisis”, but James reminds us that enduring hard times is a prerequisite for “maturity and completeness.” Certainly, we should never invent a crisis for the purpose of spiritual growth, nor should we purposely place ourselves in the path of temptation for the sake of maturity. But, if we truly seek to be more like our Savior, we will most certainly experience rejection, persecution, and pain on account of our faith. In this sense, our faith is the “antithesis” of the world’s “thesis.” However, God’s truth can never be synthesized to produce a new kind of truth. His truth is inviolate and eternal. I do not look forward to these inevitable trials and conflicts, but through God’s grace, I pray that they produce the perseverance necessary for my personal sanctification.

  21. Kelly on January 6th, 2010 7:04 am

    The tendency of mankind is to choose himself and/or the easiest route during a crisis. The synthesis we choose may not lead to a higher order (an antithesis to evolution). We in ourselves have no spiritual discernment, but must rely on the Holy Spirit for revelation and leadership. Thus, we “fix our eyes on Jesus, the Beginner and Ender of our faith.” In doing so, we avoid many unnecessary crises and walk through crises of His choosing. In this way, whether in crisis or in avoiding them, He is glorified through our lives.
    Preach on!

  22. Michelle on January 6th, 2010 7:19 am

    “Ideas and truth advanced, he believed, only when ideas come into conflict.” Perhaps I’m being too simplistic, but when I read this, social changes came to mind, i.e. the Civil Rights movement, the “wall” coming down, even the revolution that created our country. Of course, conflict isn’t the “only” way for advancement, but much advancement has come from conflict…hasn’t it?

  23. Ron S. on January 6th, 2010 8:37 am

    It is interesting to see how God “works all things after the counsel of His will” (Eph 1:11) in our lives. He does take the crisis of life, the blessings of life and His Word & Grace to conform us to the image of His Son. Common table salt is a mixture of 2 poisons, but when mixed together, they become beneficial. Crisis become a benefit only when mixed wt God’s word. Blessings become beneficial only when mixed wt God’s word - the common ingrediant is God’s word. God’s purpose for us in all things is to be conformed to Christ’s image. May God graciously continue to conform us in both the good and the bad events of life.

  24. Michelle on January 6th, 2010 8:59 am

    Thank you for this Dr Tackett. I would have never picked up on this type of thinking in my own walk with the Lord, or how I relate to other’s. It has been an eye opener! Also it brings to mind how many times I do hear this type of “Philosphy” spoken by myself and other christians!

  25. Marilyn on January 6th, 2010 9:06 am

    Myabe I am missing something here. God does not create the “crisis” but allows it to happen. We as God’s children can let the “crisis” either make us better person’s or go into a downer because of it. Most of the crises in my life have given me the graces to become a better person and form a closer relationship with my Lord & Savior. I’m grateful for that which He gave me.

    I also believe that one can receive much from the beauty that God has created around each and everyone of us. I have been to a hermitage many, many times, and have had literally nothing but a Bible, a bed, a hot plate, a tiny frig, and nature. What blessings I received there are too numerous to mention.

    I am also grateful to receive this email. The article was interesting as well as the comments.

  26. Hal on January 6th, 2010 9:46 am

    Responding to Sue:
    I think the growth in blessing comes from the way God uses that blessing in our lives. If you are a parent for example, their are times when the little “blessings” that God has given you are very trying and require much struggle and sacrifice. This is often the source and impetus of growth, as we learn to call on God and lean on Him for our strength: Amidst all the struggle we recognize that God’s blessing has been poured out on us through the gift of our children, and we seek to glorify God in their nurture and admonition.
    This gets at the root of what we consider blessings: Blessings given by God are not just puppies and warm feelings. Generally they require growth and a greater dependence on God’s grace.
    Ultimately the blessing is that we learn to walk in faith with our Creator. That can come from calamity or from the simple joys of life regardless of whether the world calls it a blessing or a curse, because “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His Purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

  27. Deb on January 6th, 2010 11:32 am

    Two thoughts: First, I am reminded of the children’s story THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF. The more crises that are presented to us, the less likely we are to pay attention and become concerned about a true crisis. I can see how the Enemy would use this to lull people into apathy.

    Second: I don’t believe Jesus ever met a crisis for which He did not have an answer. For him, a person’s crisis or great need was an opportunity to glorify the Father. May we in the church be like Him.

  28. Lorie on January 6th, 2010 1:31 pm

    I agree with Bill. My heart went directly to the book of James. I don’t think we should manufacture “crisis.” You cannot reduce the work of the Holy Spirit to a formula. That puts God in a box. His tender work, through the trials we endure, is a spontaneous process, and unique to the one going through them. Various trials create various tensions within a heart, again unique to the individual going through them, and a unique work of the Holy Spirit. We’re talking about God using a differing and specific approaches in dealing with each believer individually. We are his workmanship(poi?ma). The power is not in the “crisis” but in the God who allows and skilfully uses the crisis. Remember John 1:12 - “But as many as received him, to them GAVE HE THE POWER TO BECOME the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name.”

  29. Richard on January 6th, 2010 3:18 pm

    Though I agree that crisis is not a necessity to bring forth good from God, I would say that it is what we react to most vigorously, that is crisis. When you read or listen to a news account you rarely hear of non-crisis issues. Man tends to gravitate towards the crises in his life and the world. It’s what he naturally focuses on. And it is man’s nature to resolve or fix it, with or without Gods guidance.

  30. Rick on January 6th, 2010 5:22 pm

    I agree with the basic point, especially as it relates to crises. However, I do believe the saying that “comfort and prosperity never enriched the world (and individuals)like adversity. It often takes adversity for people to learn and grow. I also believe that it is moments of intense sadness, fear and joy that tend to bring people closer to God.
    Thanks for all of your great teaching through the Truth Project. It has had a great impact on me and many of my friends.

  31. Chris on January 6th, 2010 6:32 pm

    All of the comments I have read are wonderful, but I am sitting here wondering WHAT each individual calls a crisis. I am in northwest Ohio and we are expecting 2-4 inches of snow, which is really nothing at all, that is exactly what happens in the winter in this part of the country. However the news programs (worldly) on TV are creating such a stir that you cannot find a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk to purchase anywhere in the city. Christians are as gullable as the secular world and are participating in this false crisis.I know I can survive for weeks as well as most others with what I have in my home right now as long as I have water. We must be ever vigilant in our faith walk with Christ to guard against being sucked into worldly behavior. We must live in this world but not of it. I will calmly make it through this situation knowing that God will provide no matter what happens. I may fill a water jug or two because of common sense but I will not participate with the rest of the world and make this more than it is. My well being is in the hands of my Savior.

  32. Ben on January 6th, 2010 9:09 pm

    These are intersting thoughts. I havn’t read all the comments so I might be being redundant here but it seems to me that people who live in fear are more easily controlled. I understand the thesis vs antithesis = synthesis idea and can see that tool being used to undermine absolute truth, even in Bible studies where a sincere “moderator” gives everbody the chance to put their two cents in. In fact, I would go so far as to say that most folks in the western evangelical church are more likely to be P.C. than actively devisive. Maybe a distinction between conflict and crisis is in order. We all struggle with fears… being manipulated by them is another thing though. In my mind growth as a Christian comes from consistent study and application of God’s Word. I am sure He is faithful. I am also equally sure I am not. What a wonderful God to forgive my sins and set me free… especially from fear!

  33. Steve on January 7th, 2010 12:15 am

    Thank you, Dr. Tackett, for shining light on the faulty thinking that can creep into our beliefs and begin to corrupt the way we see God’s character. The view that “real growth only comes out of a crisis.” seems to me to lead us down a path that would indict God for creating crisis in our lives just so we would grow closer to him. What a subtle deceit that would turn the focus from Satan’s plans to destroy us and cause us to ‘believe’ instead that the destruction around us is really God’s way of maturing us.
    To accept this thinking is a far cry from James’ statement that ‘every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows’.
    Thanks for helping us to ‘gaze upon the face of God’ so we can see him in the light, so that when the dark times come we remember without a doubt His goodness.

  34. Susan on January 7th, 2010 6:22 am

    Goodmorning Del, Thanks for a thought provoking article. Also something that I’ve always found interesting is with this word “crisis” . . . the meaning of the word “crisis” for different cultures. The oriental symbol for the word “crisis” actually has two meanings. The one meaning is danger and the other is opporportunity. Hmmm. Something, perhaps, to ponder. Thanks again Del

  35. Wayne on January 8th, 2010 6:54 am

    I like, what I consider to be a more accurate translation of Romans 8:28, which says: “God is at work for the good in all things for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” When considered this way, there is an involvement by God in the affairs of those who love Him and His presence we know, without question, is to manifest good things in the lives of the believer.

  36. Eve on January 8th, 2010 10:43 am

    So happy to see someone speaking out something that is not commonly heard in Christian circles. I too am troubled by the tendency of believers to insist that such and such bad had to happen in order for a good thing to occur. Believing this way puts God in a box and limits our belief in His power to act, and in His heart of love toward us. God is capable of bringing about a blessing or “good” in our lives through any means He chooses. I believe that the verse referenced refers to His ability AND willingness to make negative events caused by our own FREE WILL choices turn out for the best in the lives of those who trust in Him. This is a demonstration of His power, and reminds us that what the enemy or others may mean for our harm, He ultimately will turn to good on our behalf. This is so we can be encouraged that no matter what happens (”good” or “bad”), God is in control and will take care of us!

  37. Doug on February 12th, 2010 5:02 am

    I think that some of you are confusing crisis with simple conflict. In this world we will have trouble, and consider if pure joy to face it. Conflict is inevitable and helps the Truth to be revealed, and in many cases, restored.

    But the quote from Rahm Emmanuel immediately left to my mind in reading Dr. Tackett’s post, where one should never “waste” a good crisis. And that would be using the “crisis” for an end that is justified according to certain ideologies. And unfortunately when I gaze at the course of history this points to coercion and deception leading to oppression and tyranny.

    On a more simplistic level, we do learn spiritual truths from experiences, and often times after self-inflicted wounds, but it need not be this way. God allows us to have it our way, but never leaves us or forsakes us.

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