I might like to discuss Bible doctrine
With the guy who brings it up,
But more often than not,
He’s got it engineered into a fortress
That protects some faction or other,
And it turns out that it’s the faction
That’s his real treasure,
And not the truth of the matter.
When he brings up the doctrine for discussion,
What he’s really doing—whether he thinks so or not—
Is promoting his faction and looking for the affirmation
That new converts bring him,
While taking special note of those
Whom he deems a threat.
It’s a pre-determined conclusion.
Non-negotiable.
Even if his demeanor at first
May tend to suggest otherwise.
For he thinks he’s open-minded
On the matter—
That if he were ever proven wrong,
He’d change his mind immediately,
Just as he expects you should do
After his presentation.
But if he’s like most,
He has no idea how many times
He has been bested in doctrine,
And yet remained unrepentant himself.
And this is because he’s talking
But not really listening—
To the text
And even to himself.
