I once pastored a church where we had a medical doctor who was some type of advanced specialist. (He explained it to me in simple terms, but I was simpler than his terms!) We had another member who was a skilled chiropractor. (Free chiropractic care is a blessing!). Both were good Christians, skilled caregivers, and generous friends.
One day, the M.D. told me something I’ve returned to many times over the years.
Dr. _____ is a chiropractor. I’m a medical doctor. Traditionally, those in our fields tend to dismiss the other field’s practices. Do you know why?
When people have pain, they go to their chiropractor or to their medical doctor. Their choice usually comes down to their own preference for care, often based on where they’ve found relief in the past.
If their first choice works, they go on with life. But if that option fails, they try the other.
That means I only see his failures. He only sees mine.
We only see each other’s failures, never their successes.
That’s why we tend to think the other is a fraud.
His observation has wide application in the church and the world.