L’Abri in Review: The Slippery Slope

A few students have come in with adament views on certain topics or having little experience questioning details of their "beliefs." And from them we have heard on a handful of occasions how some of the formal discussions are stepping out on “a slippery slope.”

We realize now how normal of a response this sounds at first, as we’ve heard that response all our lives to certain topics. We've never really thought about what it meant. And now, it sounds like such a bizarre thing to say. It seems to be a discouragement to contemplate certain tough issues. Or maybe it is supposed to be a caution toward conclusions. Regardless, it seems to assume that there is a specific safe ground and a not safe ground.

Well, I’m not sure there is safe ground in most topics. It all seems dangerous ground if you’re taking it seriously. One of the tutors here gave a funny but serious response the first time “the slippery slope” came up at a meal. The response was, “well, I guess it’s time to get yourself some better shoes.”

And I’d say that is a great characterization of our time here. We have been changing shoes. Rather than just sit stationary on the hillside wearing our street shoes, we’re learning how to put on our spikes and now we’re venturing out into the otherwise “slippery” terrain.