Ideology is defined as the science of ideas. Words like “abstract speculation,” a “body of ideas” (usually political or economic) that form the basis of policy, “a way of thinking”—all define this concept. It is a very powerful driving force in religion—and it is also a powerful deceiver. Ideas are needed and can be wonderful. They have changed our world. Ideas have also led to disaster, sorrow and misery. Stated policies such as “Might makes right,” “The only good Indian is a dead Indian,” “When our leader speaks, it is God speaking,” and such have driven people to do some terrible things. We note atrocities of the past and clearly the ideology that drove the conduct of armies, victors or politicians was strong. We also have good ideologies such as freedom of speech, freedom from fear and the “inalienable rights” of every human being.

Policy makers, theologians and academics all function across cultural, historical, linguistic and religious lines when forming their policies. All have concepts or ideologies that drive the direction of their thoughts and work. An ideology often does not take into account the differences between people. Culturally, educationally and religiously, there are vast differences that separate us. If the ideology states that everyone is basically alike in their thoughts, dreams, goals and view of the world, then that ideology becomes a hindrance to understanding anyone who has a different viewpoint. Differing viewpoints are strong, and demanding unity among peoples almost always backfires.

When I was a boy, our town had people from many nations of Europe living and working together. People needed a job, so that factor was like glue for the different people. Nevertheless, within that small town, there were a lot of ideologies that brought some together who thought more or less the same, but it also separated others. Groups, cliques and clubs were formed—and those outside those ideas were on the sidelines. In the city in which I now live, there are various gangs—mostly uniform as to race, culture, language and aspirations. There is much tension and even warfare among the gangs.

Perhaps the financial constraints and living below the poverty line that our family experienced caused me to be far more realistic about life situations than some others, but I find myself being far more pragmatic than many around me. Pragmatism is the concern for the practical rather than the ideals and theories. It is the more “matter-of-fact” approach to things in life. It treats history more in the light of cause and effect and practical lessons. I learned to be concerned and balanced about matters of fact rather than theories. I should hasten to add that my favorite course at university was philosophy. That certainly is a course that allows for theories, ideology and abstract concepts, but I tried mightily to keep a balance ever present in my thoughts and actions. I have striven to set aside that which I knew to be abstract speculation from the reality of life. I found that when ideology takes over and becomes the force behind making decisions, reality could easily be pushed aside.

If only people of every culture strove to live as the Apostle Paul spoke of when he said, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.", (Philippians  2:3). In Canada, where I live, for example, leaders set out with the grand notion to show the world that all people can live together in peace by instituting a concept of cultural equality.  Unfortunately, bringing people with different customs and cultures together in one place does not produce peace. The truth is they don't mix. People keep their own ideals, concepts, language and religion. Tension is the result. They find it too difficult to, as Paul says again in verse 4, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." If this were done, people could find the peace they seek.

Ideology is important, but it can deceive us. It can make us set up concepts and ideas that persist even when factual evidence goes against them. The frightening conclusion in our Western world and our churches is that we now face the growing evidence that ideology has taken over the setting of policies and standards while pragmatism—or facing reality—has been pushed aside. Ideologies can become barriers to understanding even the most basic truths before us. That leads to errors in judgment and action and increased tension. It leads to intellectual blindness. It leads to shackling human progress, and is one of the causes of evil.

Some examples from the Bible show us the danger of letting ideology dominate. Preconceived notions drove leaders to condemn people for carrying too heavy a load or walking more than a prescribed distance on the Sabbath Day (John 5:10-12, Acts 1:12). Jesus ate with people who were not considered “kosher” by the leaders, and was condemned for breaking that society’s standards (Mark 2:16). But Jesus showed His pragmatic side (and therefore that of God) that it is proper to take care of their animals, and provide healing on the Sabbath (John 9:16, Mark 3:4-5). Jesus was grieved at the hardness of their hearts. It is ideology run amuck that causes policies to be made that ignore the reality and facts of life.

Jesus Christ revealed the mind of God the Father by the way He lived His life. He had a strong ideology to live by, but it was grounded in God’s word and guided by pragmatic reality. Failing to look at the facts of life or failing to understand them are often a result of some preconceived ideology. It is very hard to break away from thoughts that grow into a mindset. For example, during the Second World War, the idea that the Aryan race was the super race was behind untold misery and horror turned loose on the rest of mankind.

We may ask ourselves, “What can we do to ensure a good result?” As I mentioned, it may have been circumstances in my life as a child, but reality always stared me in the face. If I did not study, the results in school reflected that. If I did not practice, I could not play the piano. If I did not pay sufficient and proper attention to my children, they would grow up to be led by something or someone else. Truth and consequences were ever present in my actions. I have found that the book of Proverbs is filled with support for being pragmatic, along with maintaining ideals. Here are three safeguards to keeping ideology in check— abstract speculations which bring about new ideas and directions.

1. Keep the truth of matters clearly before one’s eyes. Think about it, talk about it and practice living the truth. Live in the here and now of consequences.

2. Let events teach you what way is best. Learn from your mistakes and be willing to incorporate new paths to keep from hardening your mind.

3. Make the Bible, Jesus Christ, and the example of living that He set your guide in life. He gives a far better understanding of how things work, and His ideas and way of thinking result in eternal life.

We should never stop being a dreamer of sorts. We, too, ought to seek for that city that Abraham sought (Hebrews 11:10). One aspect of faith is reaching out for the unseen, the abstract ideal, the concept of a future. We must not lose sight of that, and perhaps therein lays my love of philosophy. But we must never let a concept we have formed cloud and shield us from reality

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