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Blue Ocean Blog

My comment.

I suspect centered-set and bounded-set systems are actually two systems, both with strengths and weaknesses that converse with each other and in may cases critique one another.

Using a center-set model implies making an evaluation as to weather or not something is moving towards Jesus. On what basis do you make that evaluation? Usually because you have a group of bounded set (binary) ideas that inform your centered set evaluation.

Let’s look at the recent postings about John Howard Yoder’s sexual misconduct. Yoder believed he was exploring a new sexuality in Jesus. Nearly everyone else said “no this is abusive”. Why?

Victims were in a position of less power
There wasn’t consent.

Those criteria, which maybe can be traced back to Jesus in the most vague way are part of a bounded set universe. If you evaluate on what basis you are deciding if something is moving towards or away from Jesus you’ll find a binary choice, the heart of a bounded set theory.

Both systems have their place. In my experience most people who gravitate towards an overt center set soon will develop a group of implicit bounded set criteria. Likewise those how have what they imagine to be a rigid, non-interpreted “biblical” bounded set system in time find the boundary markers move usually by a center-set motivator. The Protestant Reformation is a great example.