We Are UnBound

I am UnBound

To some extent we—you and I—are unbound, although not completely so. Perhaps an illustration may frame what I mean:

Like you, I was born in year a, in city b, at time c. Moreover, I have genetic predispositions that we shall call d, and was raised with a set of values, e. My experiences shaped which parts of my brain was stimulated and which values, e, that I chose to value, and this we shall call f.

Here you have it, off the top of my head I have listed at least 6 separate factors that have influenced and shaped me (a-e). What is more interesting, however, is that these factors are almost infinitely broad and contain many sub-factors, which may have even more significant influence. Beyond that, I am still only limited to my own set of experiences and perspectives limited by my geographic location, historical existence, educational access, intellectual prowess (or lack thereof), my exposure to a diversity of experiences and immeasurably more factors which lead to my development.

Consequently, I am limited.

Imagine if I were born in any other year than a, or any other city than b, and so on. Naturally the variations continue on ad infinitum.  Clearly this illustration shows that I am limited.  

Then, what is it that I mean when I say that, “I am UnBound?” Why is it that I am writing with a group of Christians that consider ourselves UnBound?

My answer is simple: within these limitations I still have freedom to roam and decide freely. I will grant that I am limited; however, I am not bound. Think of it in terms of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. I am in the cave but I am unshackled; although, I am not all that positive that I am able to leave the cave or even that I myself would choose to leave it. Still, I have the opportunity to explore my limitations with as much intensity and attention to detail that I desire—and that knowledge is valuable. I can understand and discover hidden things in my surroundings.

Hence, we, you, I are UnBound.

Now imagine again reality with this in mind. To some extent we are limited by our technology, we really cannot go far form earth if you think on a cosmological scale; however, is such a criteria fair? Should we measure our limitations in an unrealistic vacuum with such a high standard of truth that we are unable to know anything?

This is why I turn my attention from the Heavens to the earth (like Aristotle, not Plato). I do this with my Christianity, and with my philosophy. I do what I can to engage in the real world trying to keep a fair standard for what is true and what is not.

I am limited, but I am still UnBound; I am free to roam my world and to see it in as much detail and to care for it with as much passion as I choose.

And since I am limited but UnBound, so are you.

No longer can we work in a vacuum. No longer can we work as if we have higher access to truth. We must be wary of our limitations, our ignorance, when we make truth claims. Instead we must work with what we have, and within our limitations—we are still UnBound. 

-Jordan Britt