BIAS
They have no veils of ignorance or prejudice to darken their sight in heaven. Those of
us who most candidly endeavour to learn the truth are nevertheless in some degree
biased and warped by education. Let us struggle as we may, yet still our
surroundings will not permit us to see things as they are. There is a deflection in our
vision, a refraction in the air, a something everywhere which casts the beam of light
out of its straight line so that we see rather the appearance than the reality of truth.
We see not with open sight; our vision is marred; but up yonder, among the golden
harps, they “know, even as they are known.” 824.440
We can see, in looking at Luther, great and glorious Luther, how Romanism tinged
all that he did more or less; and the darkness of the age cast some gloom even over
the serene and steadfast soul of Calvin; of each one of the reformers we must say the
same; bright stars as all of these were, yet they kept not themselves untarnished by
the sphere in which they shone. Every man is more or less affected by his age, and we
are obliged, as we read history, to make continual allowances, for we all admit that it
would not be fair to judge the men of former times by the standard of the nineteenth
century. 1327.678
Some minds are like stained glass windows; they shut out much of the light, and
the little light that does struggle through, they colour after their own manner. 2066.51
Teaching is often judged, not by its own value, but by the prejudices which people
may happen to have concerning the source from which it comes. 2184.32
O prejudice, prejudice, prejudice, how many hast thou destroyed! Men who might
have been wise have remained fools because they thought they were wise. Many
judge what the gospel ought to be, but do not actually enquire as to what it is. They
do not come to the Bible to obtain their views of religion, but they open that Book to
find texts to suit the opinions which they bring to it. They are not open to the honest
force of truth, and therefore are not saved by it. 3205.327
There is a tendency, among us all, I suppose, to choose some part of the truth, and
attach undue importance to that, to the neglect of other truths. 3353.219