Cognitive Dissonance as Mental Discomfort
Luke’s story reveals how much cognitive dissonance weighed on him until he eventually had to walk away from all religion so he could find some peace. Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson’s writing highlights all that we do to reduce cognitive dissonance and the effects when we can’t.
Seeing a Future that Seemed Impossible
As kids, swimming with the tide feels required since doing anything else could result in rejection from the adults in your life. Zechariah’s questioning of the angel about Elizabeth bearing a son was his own form of protection. He couldn’t imagine that kind of swimming against the tide, whether physically (Elizabeth getting on in years) or realistically (they’d never been able to conceive before, why now?) (Luke 1:68-79).
Growing Up Men
We read in Luke’s background how the actions and attitudes of the church leaders left him confused and ready to exit the church whenever he could manage to do so. David French explores this irony that there is always a debate within Christianity between orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right conduct). Why is there even the notion that they could be distinct? Frank explores the church's future should Christians continue to act in ways that contradict their beliefs.
Hypocrisy and Foolishness
From Luke’s background, we can see how he struggled with cognitive dissonance when church leaders preached one thing but behaved altogether differently. Think back on your own experience, calling to mind the moments you felt seen and the moments you felt confused.