Part VI: Christian Thinking: The Wisp
J. Gresham Machen once said that "false ideas are the greatest obstacles to the reception of the gospel." In light of that, false ideas are a direct result of thinking that is not Christian. A "wisp' is something delicate, frail, and somewhat fragile. I posit the idea that Christian thinking is a "wisp" of sorts if we take for granted this idea of Christian Thinking.
Mark Knoll in his book, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, asserts that evangelicals have not developed a distinctly Christian perspective on all of life. I believe he is right; I also believe that Abraham Kuyper had the answer when he stated that we (Christians) must be men and women who see the struggle as one of first principles. To take such a stand, we must first develop a Christian mind and then be trained and disciplined to think Christianly.
The Christian mind is one that sees the world through a Christian worldview. This does not mean that a Christian mind is one that spiritualizes everything, but instead, it is a mind that begins with the presupposition of God's word in all aspects of a worldview. A worldview, according to Ronald Nash, has five major categories; they are:
1. God
2. Humanity
3. Metaphysics
4. Epistemology
5. Ethics
As we view the world, we view it through these five lenses, and these five lenses color our world.
The Christian mind is one that thinks in Christian categories. This flows right out of a worldview that is Christian. The Christian mind also thinks with a heavenly mindset. This mindset is one rooted in the very real fact that heaven is home and earth is temporal. And finally, the Christian mind is one that is not limited to these three dimensions; it allows for the supernal, the eternal, and additional dimensions. The world will sneer at this notion through their own beliefs that are far more irrational: evolution and new age doctrine to name just two.
The essentials of a Christian mind are as expected; fear God, Know God's Word, Believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord and humility which results from a deep understanding of the first three.
The components of a Christian mind are not as simple. Of course, we begin with a Christian worldview. We next must believe that all of our "things' begin and end with our Lord. We also must understand that our basic and foundational beliefs are more than mere cognitive actions; they are a direct result of the Divine. These basic foundational beliefs are framed together with a glue; that glue is the Word of God. A word here on this glue! I was claimed by my Savior at 26 years old. Before that nothing, and I mean nothing, formed a clear picture or framework until Christ enter my life.
Another component is our inner compass that orients us and guides through the world in which we live. This must be biblical and distinctly Christian in nature. These are the main components of a Christian mind.
There is one major component of a Christian mind that must begin to happen in Christian culture or the Christian mind will never fully develop...and that is Christian dialogue. What do I mean? To think one must dialogue, and if there is no Christian venue in which to dialogue all major thinking comes grinding to a stop. To dialogue one must agree on terms, and according to Chuck Colson, "even Christians have lost the ethical categories of right and wrong." So, where do we begin?
We begin with wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Wisdom is learning and God reveals himself as wisdom personified in I Corinthians 1:24. Understanding is thinking about something in such a deep way that one understands something well enough to teach it to another. Do we study in such a way? Knowledge is the action that results from wisdom and understanding. Only when we do these well as Christians will we be ready to engage culture to make a difference for our Lord.
C.S. Lewis states that what we "want is not more little books on Christianity but more little books by Christians on other subjects...with their Christianity latent." And I will add that these little books on other subjects should be so well done and excellence that the world can not help but notice them.
It is time once again for our application questions.
What are some of the ways we do not think Christianly?
What prevents us from thinking Christianly?
Join us in thinking and praying over these questions! Blessings to all!
4 comments:
"Knowledge is the action that results from wisdom and understanding." Is it possible that, "Wisdom is the product and appropriate application of knowledge and understanding."
A Fan
I would say that it is. Of course, many will debate the semantics of the term "appropriate" but that is expected. I always learn something from your comments; thanks so much for taking the time!
I agree that "appropriate" was not the best selection of words. I intended of course "Godly" or "righteous" as defined by a Christian worldview. The logical sequence that drove the comment was: 1) One can have knowledge, but not wisdom (i.e., a small child) 2) One can have understanding but not wisdom (i.e., a small child) 3) One who has wisdom will have knowledge and understanding. Thus, Wisdom is the product or righteous application of knowledge and understanding. Sorry if I've made a mountain out of an insignificant mole-hill.
A Fan
A mountain worthy of the climb! We must think in the "highest" of categories; this pursuit often turns mole-hills into moutains for all of us. Again, thank you for taking the time to comment. I look forward to more!
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