It seems to me that people speak on most topics as if they have absolute certainty. We tend to believe that we are 100% right about everything, even when our statements are quite clearly opinions, speculations, or matters of taste.
This is the common practice among preachers as well, isn't it?
A few years ago I was sitting in the back of a junior high Bible class in which a student asked the teacher, "Can women be preachers?"
The teacher did not even hesitate, but answered with great confidence, "The Bible says women aren't allowed to preach." From the teacher's perspective, that was all that needed to be said about that!
Really? It's that simple, is it?
I have a lot of respect for anyone in the midst of theological debates who not only recognizes the other side's arguments, but can also accurately describe their opponents' strongest evidence. And even more respect for those who speak in terms of probability rather than certainty.
But my question is this: Won't the preacher who holds forth all things with absolute certainty find greater favor with the audience? Aren't we much more comfortable with those who hold their opinions with confidence and certainty?
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