Leadership

Words are free in the United States. The first amendment to the Constitution guarantees “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.” When John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) argued for free speech, he wanted us to seek information and ideas, receive information and ideas and impart information and ideas. The purpose of free speech, Mill believed, is to learn and to teach, to explore and together uncover the best wisdom—a necessity for a new country seeking fresh ways to live together.

These days, public talk is full of judgment, clichés and name calling—not about listening and learning from each other.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul points out that his adult thoughts and words are different from his childish ones. Children aren’t yet sure of themselves and what they believe. They are quick to call each other names, especially when they can’t win an argument. Sometimes among children, truth matters less than loyalties. The need to control the conversation and have the last word is overwhelming. (“Oh, yeah? Well, my dad is stronger than your dad.”)

Paul declares that when we put aside these childish ways, we begin to think as adults. We aren’t so easily threatened by new information. In our secure adult selves, we can open ourselves to others and their views. As Richard Rohr says, adults are more able to enter into the mess that reality has always been, knowing that we need mature wisdom to deal with the paradox and mystery that is life.

Paradox and mystery imply that we can’t know everything but that we are able to learn to live with uncertainty. Some call this “living into the questions.”

Perhaps as you think about your own journey into adulthood, you’re aware of your increasing capacity to live with complexity and ambiguity. Paul points out, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror” (v. 12). Even as wise adults led by God, we won’t have all the answers.

Jesus taught in a way that lived into thought-provoking questions. “What is the kingdom of heaven like?” He put compassion for people ahead of unbendable laws and society’s sense of morality. He went to Zacchaeus’ house for a meal. Although the encounter resulted in Zacchaeus’ conversion, others criticized Jesus. He allowed his famished disciples to gather grain on the Sabbath. He ignored certain interpretations of the law to bring healing, moving among the complexities of life, choosing for people rather than moral judgments.

The United States is divided on a multitude of social concerns. Issues have strong advocates on each side. All a person need do is choose one side on one topic, and a group is ready to tell them how to think, speak and act on a host of issues. This group identity is a comfort in a complex world. However, this approach leaves little room for nuance or honest exchange of ideas. We’ve lost the precious purpose of free speech—to learn from each other through careful listening and evaluation of information.

Susan Mark Landis is denominational minister for peace and justice. She thanks the community of believers who helped with this article.