Real objectivity in journalism is difficult if not impossible. Everyone has biases and assumptions which can't be completely eliminated when reporting on an issue. We can try to set them aside and admit to those we can't let go of, and that usually is enough. Some evangelicals, however, insist that since objectivity is impossible, explicit Christian bias should be adopted.

Marvin Olasky writes:

For nearly two decades, I’ve been writing now and then about the shortcomings of the conventional journalistic definition of “objectivity” as purportedly value-free neutrality. I’ve noted its philosophical and practical limitations, and proposed a counter-standard, biblical objectivity: Since God knows the real nature of things and we do not, we should as much as possible -- given our position as fallen sinners -- to try to see everything through the lens of the Bible.

Marvin Olasky is editor-in-chief of the evangelical World Magazine and the man who is responsible for the term “compassionate conservative.” Now he’s trying to make “biblical objectivity” as popular. Isn’t it interesting that he’s taking something which he admits is a form of strong religious bias and using “objectivity” as a label? Orwell would have been proud.

More then Orwell, however, Olasky reminds me of the Christian Reconstructionists who argue that government neutrality in religious matters is impossible and, therefore, the government will always have to take sides when it comes to religion — so why not take sides on behalf of Christianity which is the only True Religion? Is Olasky a Christian Reconstructionist? He has certainly adopted their way of arguing.

Notice that it seems to escape Olasky that anyone using the Bible as a “lens” to see and report on events won’t simply be using the Bible, but some interpretation of the Bible. A Catholic won’t “see” the same things as a Southern Baptist. An American evangelical won’t “see” the same things as an African evangelical. A Jew won’t “see” the same things as a Christian. This is why there can’t be any “biblical objectivity,” just a lot of different subjective takes on the Bible and what the Bible has to say.

 

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