Benign Indifference > Marble Collegiate Church

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Sunday, June 12, 2011

Benign Indifference
By webmaster @ 12:01 AM :: 602 Views :: 7 Comments :: Dr. Michael Brown

"Benign" is a great word in the proper context. I had some minor surgery recently. ("Minor surgery," by the way, is defined as "surgery which is done on somebody else.") Anyway, following the procedure, the physician said: "It was benign." What a wonderful moment. What she removed was no lingering threat. It was harmless, "benign."

"Benign," however, is a disappointing word in other contexts. An article on the sports page referred to a baseball player that a major league team bought from another team. They paid multiple millions of dollars to acquire his contract. Then they paid him countless millions more in his annual salary. Their hopes that he would become their ticket to the World Series have not yet materialized. The article said that to this point, the player's "impact has been benign."

There's a phrase we hear sometimes: "benign indifference." It refers to an attitude or personal posture of apathy. You don't hurt anything, but you don't help it, either. You don't make matters worse, but neither do you make them better. Your influence and impact are "benign."

Jesus had no time for benign discipleship. He firmly believed that not to move forward into the world with grace and love and courage is to move backward. "Take up your cross and follow Me." "Go ye into all the world, making disciples." "Rise up, and follow." Over and over in the gospels, His calls are clear not merely to talk the talk but also to walk the walk.

Obviously, not all of us have to be passionately committed to the same issues, nor even to interpret all issues identically. But, we are all called to do something about something – to weigh in somewhere – to lift up hands or voices to make a difference in some place in some way. Find your place. Find your way. And here's hoping that the only time the word "benign" will apply to you is in the doctor's office!

Comments

By Chris @ Monday, June 13, 2011 6:33 AM

Thank you so much for your wise words and guidance Dr Brown.

Chris
Sussex UK

By SniffNY @ Monday, June 13, 2011 2:49 PM

Well this is pretty cool to see a post from the UK!

By Chris @ Monday, June 13, 2011 3:43 PM

For many years I’ve been inspired by Dr Norman Vincent Peale and when I was able to visit New York in July 2010 I just had to visit Marble Church which I did on 4th July.

From this visit I discovered the works of Dr Arthur Caliandro and Dr Brown.

All three men have been of enormous help to me and one day I hope to visit Marble Church again.

Chris
Sussex UK

By SniffNY @ Monday, June 13, 2011 4:39 PM

Do you view the sermons via streaming? Please continue to stay in touch. It's nice.

By Chris @ Tuesday, June 14, 2011 6:37 AM

Dear SniffNY, thank you for your kind welcome. Yes, I have viewed some sermons via the streaming from time to time.
It would be great to learn a little about you and your connection to Marble Church.

Regards
Chris
Sussex UK

By SniffNY @ Wednesday, June 15, 2011 7:16 AM

Thanks Chris. I'm just a member who attends regularly. I like the mid-week uplift I get by reading blogs and really appreciate when people comment on the blogs. It is just so much more engaging I think, it is encouraging to me to see that people are thinking about stuff that matters. It was just so cool to see your comment. You brought to life the www, as in WORLD-wide web.

By Chris @ Wednesday, June 15, 2011 9:51 AM

SniffyNY - thanks

Chris UK

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