Positively Dangerous

This phrase, "positively dangerous", means something to us. It means "While this is likely dangerous, that is certainly dangerous." It means "I'm positive that this is dangerous." Is it possible, though, for a different take? Is it possible that something can be both positive and dangerous? Is it possible for something to be dangerous in a positive way? I think it can.

Imagine an election (not like the one we just had) where honest, wholesome, rational, moral people with integrity and real values were put in office ... en masse. An influx of honesty and integrity. That, to me, would be positively dangerous. It would be positive for obvious reasons, but it would be dangerous because of the potential to radically shift our society. It would contain a danger to the status quo, a threat to the current crop and climate of politicians. A second election that had a similar wave of people would carry a greater threat to what is currently "the government", portending greater change and less "government as usual". It might stir up the current politicos, the current Republican and Democrat and whatever other side that hasn't aligned with this kind of thinking. They'd have to rethink, respond. Sometimes stirring up a hornets' nest like that can be dangerous. Dangerous? Certainly to some. But positive.

How about if you were to discover that your theology was in error? This doctrine you believed to be true isn't or that which you denied is. This thing you do all the time is sin or that thing which you ignore is a sin to ignore. Now that would be positively dangerous. You see, as long as you think you're okay in doctrine or sin, you're not going to do anything about it. I mean, why should you? But if you come to the conclusion that you've made an error, now you're faced with various problems. You have to choose what course to take -- the original one or the new one. There is the possibility, even likelihood that friends and family are among those who agreed with your error. What will you do about that? It may even be that you determine that your pastor or favorite teacher(s), your spouse, your parents, or other people you respect are in error. Now that is tough. You have to choose to stop the sin, to change the perspective, and how to deal with others. That is certainly trying -- dangerous. But surely the move toward truth and godliness is positive, right? In truth, for some this whole thing is too trying to consider and they blow it off in favor of keeping the peace. Positive, probably, but dangerous, too.

I bet, if I think about it further, there are many more things that could be classified as "positively dangerous" in a positively different sort of way than the standard use of the phrase.