A Biblical Perspective on Handling Dissent By Paul Swamidass

Learn from Jesus on how to handle dissent.

Jesus uses the “prodigal son” parable to convey to his believers the unique qualities of God the father. Teachers and preachers have used this parable to communicate to their listeners, the unparalleled loving, merciful and gracious nature of God the Father. In the parable, the father eagerly awaits his “lost” son, and enthusiastically forgives his undeserving son, and celebrates his repentance and his voluntary return home.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him…the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.” (Luke 15: 20-24; ESV).

OFFENSE

The older son in the parable was offended by the merciful and gracious decision of his father to the benefit of his younger brother. What can we learn from the older son’s conduct and his father’s response to him in the parable?  We can learn how the father handles dissent from his faithful son.

“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants…he [the servant] said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ ”  (Luke 15: 25-27)

But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father,

‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’”  (Luke 15: 28-30).

The older son’s words are filled with resentment towards his father and his brother upon learning of his father’s expensive celebration of the return of his younger, irresponsible brother, who squandered his share of his father’s wealth.

EXPLANATION

Upon hearing the older son’s complaint and refusal to come in, the father did not demand that his aggrieved son ought to come into the house to tell him of his concerns. Instead, the father went out immediately to meet his aggrieved son; this is a gesture of concern for the dissenting son. Further, this action of the father implies,

“Son, I owe you an explanation.”

There are two parts to the father’s explanation to the dissenting son. First, the father explains his actions in the context of the dissenting son’s standing with him. The father says what was obvious and true about the older son:

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.’” (Luke 15: 31b)

The father’s above response to the dissenting son implies, “I have not compromised what belongs to you.” For the dissenting son to accept the above statement of his father as true, the father-leader should have a reputation for telling only the truth, always. A leader’s honest explanation to a dissenter is likely to be accepted, if the leader has a reputation for being truthful, always.

JUSTIFICATION

First, the father explained the context to his son, as mentioned above. Second, the father said,

“It was fitting to celebrate” his brother’s return, and elaborated it saying, “your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:31)

The father’s use of the word “fitting” here means it was the right thing for him to do.

Because the father did the right thing, there was no need for him to apologize, or withdraw his decision to celebrate his younger son’s repentance and his return home.

The parable demonstrates, doing the right thing is the best defense against dissent, because the leader can then confidently say to the aggrieved dissenter, “I did the right thing.”

LESSON

Dissent is a part of every leader’s life. As a leader, you can confidently explain your decision to aggrieved dissenters, if you have a reputation for always speaking the truth and doing what is right.

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Paul Swamidass, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus, Harbert College of Business, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA. He retired from Auburn University in 2016 after teaching there for 24 years. He was an industrial manager with an engineering degree before graduate education in business administration and a university career as a faculty member lasting 33 years.

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