"Whatever our views may be on disputed issues ... we can be guilty of judgmentalism"

Discussion

[RPittman] So, what is judgmentalism? Its use, perhaps overuse, is so pervasive that it is a sort of buzz word to condemn anyone holding a contrary position. Are not those decrying judgmentalism also being judgmental?

I don’t know who “those” are, but I think this article is a good “consider thyself” admonition. We often don’t know why people do/don’t do certain things, so our immediate disdainful and even hostile attitude toward them is unreasonable and inappropriately judgmental. Judgment not accompanied by mercy, compassion, humility, graciousness, and most importantly- the facts- is the basis for much unnecessary and God-dishonoring conflict.

Roland,

I appreciate your concerns. I would encourage you to read the book though. It is a quick, simple read that is very practical and very powerful - as is most (if not all) of Bridges’ stuff.

Why is it that my voice always seems to be loudest when I am saying the dumbest things?

[RPittman] Then, let us lay aside this accusation of being judgmental. We can only know our own hearts, not others’. It seems that this is what the article brings out.

Exactly. So I guess I’m kind of missing the point you are trying to make since the article already made it. It isn’t about trying to figure out who else is being judgmental, but to consider ourselves as to whether or not we are judgmental.

Judgmentalism is a sinfully “critical spirit, a condemning attitude”


The point of this post is not to debate disputed positions; it’s about our disposition. It’s not about who’s right and who’s wrong; it’s about applying the gospel to our sinfully critical spirits and condemning attitudes.


The sin of judgmentalism is one of the most subtle of our “respectable” sins because it is often practiced under the guise of being zealous for what is right.

I also appreciate the point he makes about ‘holding our convictions in humility’. We can only be responsible for our own actions.