Editorial April 25, 1988 Issue

Tempered and strengthened idealism

Michael D. Rissler

The Apostle Peter was such a good man, so responsive to the Master's call, quick to take the first step, ready to repent and press forward again. But there was something about Peter that needed to be tempered. Some might say he was an idealist, at least that could be one reason why he responded so rapidly to Christ Jesus' invitation for him to become a "fisher of men." Nevertheless, his idealism needed to mature and to develop on a spiritual basis in order for him to stand the trials to come.

Much to the point, Jesus told a parable of a sower. Some of the sower's seed fell on hard, stony ground. The seed germinated and grew into plants quickly, but when the hot, searing heat of the sun fell on the seedlings, they withered and died. They just didn't have sufficient roots to outlast the heat of day.

Often I've thought that the brittleness of a zealously human idealism could fit that parable. Such optimism often has shallow roots; it doesn't take into adequate consideration the challenges or the purposes at hand when Christ, Truth, enters into hearts and minds and works its spiritual change.

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