Analyze This!

We are an analytical people.  That's really not such a bad way to be.  In fact, as I've argued frequently in my posts on education, analyzing is one of the primary means by which we learn...that is, by which we gain knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

When done well, it carries the potential to reveal previously unrecognized glory, enhance our delight, grant dominion and increase our control.  Let me try to illustrate what I mean.

In order to construct clear, concise and graceful sentences, we learn how to deconstruct them by parsing.  We pick them apart and diagram them, analyzing the way each word and phrase functions within the sentence and in relationship to each other.  Basically, we kill the sentence by separating and unmaking it.  BUT...we kill it in order to resurrect it!  When we reconstruct the sentence, it is not more glorious than it was previously (unless of course we discover error in its form and correct it!), but now we see its glory more fully because we understand it in a new way.  This process of analyzing a sentence increases our appreciation for the logic and beauty of language as expressed in a well-formed sentence.

What about Literature?  In order to thoroughly value good narratives, we must undergo the discipline of slow reading, detailed study, and analysis.  This process of ferreting out images, symbols, figures of speech, themes, patterns of movement, etc., is tedious and can remove all sense of delight, but in the end, we will have gained insight and a more mature understanding of the story.  The next time we read it for pleasure, our delight will be enhanced, as will our delight in other works of literature. 

Consider Math.  Deconstructing, analyzing, reconstructing and applying algorithms, enables us to take dominion over many spheres of life...from calculating how much fabric is needed to reupholster the sofa, to investigating a crime scene, to designing structurally sound buildings, to generating minute and seemingly endless sports statistics.  All of these are made accessible to us through the process of analyzing mathematical formulas and the way and reasons they work, thus allowing us to rule effectively over various aspects of our lives.

In the realm of science, analyzing a plant by dissection propels us toward mastery of farming techniques, development of new breeds, heartier food supplies, redder roses, sweeter apples, etc.  We are enabled to increase our control over outcomes based on the understanding we've gained through analysis.

This principle extends into nearly every realm of life...music, technology, trouble shooting, sewing, cooking, production, even to man himself.  Whether in the form of self-analysis or relationship analysis, it can create opportunities for glory, delight, dominion and control. 

Can an analytical approach ever be unhelpful?  Well, yes.  As with most everything else in this fallen world, the motivation driving the analysis largely determines whether its result is destructive or redemptive.

If a teacher analyzes her students' compositions in order to highlight their ignorance, the result will likely be destructive; whereas, if her desire is to increase their skill and effectiveness, it will likely be redemptive. 

If a man sets out to analyze his relationship with his sister in order to belittle her, harm her reputation, or to prove that she is the problem in their relationship, that analysis is destructive; however, if he seeks understanding so he can nurture her and the relationship, correct his own faults and build up his sister in love and good works, that analysis will have a redemptive effect!

Because deconstruction is a necessary component of analysis, it carries a degree of risk and threat that can lead to confusion, separation and death.  If the end goal is to diminish glory, extract delight, rule harshly or manipulate for selfish ends, then that analysis contradicts the image and glory of God and is ultimately destructive.

But no matter how often and to what extent analysis is undertaken in order to reveal glory, enhance delight, grant dominion or increase control in a way that builds, encourages, nurtures, and matures the world, ourselves and others, then that analysis is redemptive and leads to new and more glorious life!