Dialectical Thinking ☯️

Dialectical Thinking: Reflective Insight

Two ways of thinking.
✔️ Western logic seeks one correct answer — A + B = C.
☯️ Eastern tradition embraces paradox — A + B = AB.

Dialectical Thinking (A Copilot AI summary from R. Gallaty, The Forgotten Jesus: Why Western Christians Should Follow An Eastern Rabbi (pp. 27–28). Zondervan.

Application: Helps modern readers understand why biblical faith often resists reductionism. For example, “Did God choose you or did you choose God?” — the Jewish answer is simply, “Yes.”

Definition: A way of reasoning common in Middle Eastern and biblical culture that holds opposite or even contradictory ideas together without forcing a single conclusion.

Contrast with Western Thought: Western logic tends to reduce tension into one “best answer” (A + B = C). Eastern thought often accepts both truths in tension (A + B = AB).

Biblical Examples: Many of Jesus’ sayings, and doctrines such as divine sovereignty vs. free will, the kingdom of God as both present and future, and election vs. human responsibility.

Scholar Insight: James Fleming describes this as “yes, yes, or AB,” where paradox is not a problem but a deeper truth.

See Also: One Best Answer ✔️ — the opposite approach to ☯️ Dialectical Thinking.

Opposite Entry: See One Best Answer.

💭 Future articles will be entered below to show detailed examples of One Best Answer vs Dialectical Thinking.

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Believe, Believe In, or Follow God? — A Journey Begins 🥾
This isn’t just a word study. Of course, we need to look at the words. But then, as the title implies, we also need to understand those words. More importantly, we need to understand them from God's point of view. So really, this is a journey into the heart of faith, trust, and obedience. Are we supposed to Believe God, Believe in God or Follow God?