Worth Dying For?

Lately I have read a couple of different authors who have stretched my thinking with views different than my own.  They have really got me thinking about theology and doctrine.  I come from a family of outspoken believers of many stripes.  How, really, can any of us really know whether how we interpret scripture is the 'right' way?  How can I know?  What if those around me disagree with my interpretation, sometimes quite vehemently? 

As a 'one' on the enneagram (http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/) I have an inner evaluator.  Everything I come across is automatically evaluated - Is this right or wrong, good or bad, helpful or hurtful, worthwhile or a waste of time?  (If you think this must be very annoying you are right, but like any other personality trait, one side is strength, and the other side is weakness!)  I don't like it when I think maybe my measuring sticks may be in doubt.  It's very unnerving.  I also don't like it when I think someone I love might have a lot to say about what I think - and it might not be complementary.

It has got me thinking about right and wrong in the context of theological beliefs, and what really matters.  A good friend puts it this way - Which of your beliefs are worth dying for?  And I would add then by extension - worth killing for?  Sometimes there is a lot of killing going on when Christians disagree; in the form of judgements, exclusion/rejection, character assassination and condemnation.  Is it over something worth dying/killing for?

I think about Jesus.  When he arrived the religious leaders of his day had everything right but everything so wrong at the same time.  They had the scriptures down pat.  But they misrepresented the character of God so badly that Jesus ranted against them and turned their conclusions upside down.  I think it's fair to say he thought accurately representing the character of God was worth it.  What concerns me more - Does my theology reflect the character of God? or am I more worried about being right? 

They could not believe the scriptures could be interpreted in a way that was contrary to their own, proving that Jesus was the promised Messiah.  Am I willing to be shown something in a different way?  Can God be bigger than I can grasp? 

I think many times we christians are trying to stuff a big bunch of helium balloons (God) into a hatchback (as I once tried to do for a birthday party.)  They just keep popping out and getting in the way of the door closing.  I think, I hope, I have given up on that kind of confinement and have moved to tying the balloons onto my wrist so they won't escape.  Maybe one day they will up and carry me away and I will be on the end of the balloons, instead of the one holding them down.