I have the bad habit of slipping into "either-or" thinking, convincing myself that there is only one side of an issue that deserves my attention and support. And it usually works this way: somebody offers up an opinion that I feel is too one-sided. So I take the other side. You know, to balance it out. If they say white, I say black. If they say right, I say wrong. If they say yes, then I say no!

It's an especially bad habit because the very idea of balancing out the other side is subjective, biased, and, well, unbalanced.

This happens in our culture in too many ways to count. Black lives matter. No, blue lives matter. Is it possible that both African Americans and Police Officers matter? I think so.

Poverty is the issue in the city. No, immorality ... opportunity ... jobs ... education. Um, yes?

In the church, the way this plays out is even more sad. Because we take sides that need not be taken. In fact, often taking sides misses the point. Much of Lutheran theology emphasizes keeping things in tension. Without resolution. Two Kingdoms. Law and Gospel. Faith and Works.