The Possibility of a Paradox

Posted by Jonny | Filed under All

The good folks over at Jesusfreakhideout.com have asked me to write one blog per month for their website. Here’s the first of the 3 blogs I’m working on. Hope you enjoy.

The Possibility of a Paradox

A paradox is defined as something that is “contradictory, inconsistent, or opposite.” For example, the statements “War paves the way for peace” and “Freedom requires limitations” are paradoxes. We have trouble processing them. Our minds can only wrap themselves around so much – they like it when we keep things simple. Therefore, when it comes to truth, we narrow things down to two sides. We have right, and we have wrong. We have black, and we have white.

So, when scripture points out the different characteristics of Jesus’ personality, it’s easy for us to be confused by what appear to be paradoxes. For example, Jesus was perfectly strong, yet he was perfectly gentle. Ultimately he displayed these competing qualities simultaneously on the cross. We also read in scripture that Jesus was the “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). I understand how a person could be full of grace – they would deal with others with tenderness and forgiveness. I can also understand how a person could be full of truth – they would know the difference between right and wrong, and would stand for what was right regardless of the consequences. However, it’s hard for me to imagine how someone could perfectly pull off both of these traits at the same time. Can’t tenderness and truth get in each other’s way? Aren’t they sometimes too paradoxical to co-exist? Yet, when Jesus is the person being discussed, the possibility makes perfect sense.

In 2007, I released an independent CD titled, “They Need Love.” The twelve tracks deal with many different aspects of the Christian faith. However, the theme that ties them all together is found in the title track, “They Need Love.” It states that we should love a world of strangers in the same way that Christ did. We should love without question, without hesitation, and without an ulterior motive. And, if we love before preaching and pointing fingers, a platform to share Christ will eventually and naturally arise.

In February of 2009, I released my next indie CD, “Stand For You.” This CD actually caught the attention of INO records. They renamed it and released it nationally under the title, “More Beautiful You.” I understand and agreed with the reasoning behind changing the name. However, I think the original title was a better description of the theme behind the music. The album deals with standing up for the truth. Truth is always narrow. By definition it has to be. We claim that Scripture is filled with truth, and we are commanded to stand up for that truth no matter what happens. And while standing for a narrow truth we cannot waiver, even if others are offended by our actions. Jesus never buckled when he challenged the Pharisees’ practices, even though he often upset them.

So, aren’t the themes of these two CD’s contradictory? Isn’t it a paradox to say we should love others before ourselves, and then to insist that we should stand for our beliefs even when they might be offensive to others? Perhaps the more we learn about Christ, the more the seemingly disparate messages of the two CD’s will make sense. “Lord help us to trust you even when things don’t make perfect sense. Allow us to be so close to you that what we once perceived as paradoxes become possibilities.”

Permalink | June 1st, 2009

4 Responses to “The Possibility of a Paradox”

  1. Lindsey Says:
    June 15th, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    I just heard your song “more beautiful you” for the first time on the radio while driving to the store. It really hit home for me. I kept singing the chorus so I could remember it, come home, and look it up online (possibly make it a new profile song). In looking it up, sadly I couldn’t add it to my profile, yet!, but it led me to your page. Very interesting blog about paradoxes. I question those things about Jesus all the time, but then wonder if I should even question it. But Jesus is so extraordinary, it’s hard just to accept the facts because they are unfathomable! It’s humbling; it reminds me of how incredibly simple I am!

  2. Mikayla Says:
    June 17th, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    I love your reasoning with the paradox; we need to stand up for ourselves and beliefs so we can love others unconditionally even if we find it hard to love them when they don’t believe or agree with us yet we still need to keep our truths. It’s an unending circle of confusion and simplicity, another paradox. I thank the LORD for his ability to work through the paradoxes of this world.

  3. Jonny Says:
    July 27th, 2009 at 9:43 pm

    Yeah, I’m at facebook.com/jonnydiaz

  4. Kathy Says:
    August 1st, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    How do you pronounce your last name?

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