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Critical thinking for Christians

Read, read christian theology books, blogs and web sites, one has to have an understanding before one can think.
Also read writers and web sites that are hostile to christianity.
ask yourself why are they so critical, what evidence do they offer and what affect does there belief have?

sites like wintery knight, reasonablefaith answersingenesis, creation.com, toughquestionsanswered are a few christian sites with many articles about the accuracy and authority of the bible, different aspects of christianity and arguments for christianity.

Challenge your paster to preach on the meat of christianity, ask him why he doesn't deal with difficult issues.
 
Do you think then, my friend, that we should approach every text critically, including the scriptures?

Best wishes, 2RM.
 
2ndRateMind said:
I wonder if you have any advice to offer?

Best wishes to all, 2RM
Click to expand...

Are you using the world's definition of 'critical thinking'? Maybe you should give your definition.

Are you talking about the Bible as a whole?

Are you talking about doubting that certain Scriptures should be considered Scripture?

Quantrill
 
Quantrill said:
Are you using the world's definition of 'critical thinking'? Maybe you should give your definition.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think I am using the world's definition of critical thinking, if by that you mean the academic discipline. Seems to me that involves examining the reasoning underlying an assertion, and deploying evidence in support of or difference with an argument.

Best wishes, 2RM.
 
2ndRateMind said:
Yes, I think I am using the world's definition of critical thinking, if by that you mean the academic discipline. Seems to me that involves examining the reasoning underlying an assertion, and deploying evidence in support of or difference with an argument.

Best wishes, 2RM.
Click to expand...

The problem with the world's definition is that it involves 'skepticism' and 'doubt'.

The Christian can 'reason'. The Christian can employ 'critical thinking'. But not like the world. We come into this eternal life by faith. We know and believe that Jesus is the Son of God and Saviour. We know and believe that the Bible is the Word of God.

We come then to the Scriptures with a reason that is based upon our faith. Not with any skepticism or doubt. We seek to know more of the truth of God. We don't seek to find a reason not to believe in Christ or God or the Word of God.

Quantrill
 
Yes, I understand what you are saying. But how do we know the scriptures are the word of God? Because the scriptures say they are. It's a viciously circular argument, and that should be noticed. That is not to say that circular arguments are always in some way false. They can be true. But their truth value does not depend on the flawed argument often submitted to justify them.

At the end of the day, it is, as you say, a matter of faith, not reason.

Best wishes, 2RM.
 
2ndRateMind said:
Yes, I understand what you are saying. But how do we know the scriptures are the word of God? Because the scriptures say they are. It's a viciously circular argument, and that should be noticed. That is not to say that circular arguments are always in some way false. They can be true. But their truth value does not depend on the flawed argument often submitted to justify them.

At the end of the day, it is, as you say, a matter of faith, not reason.

Best wishes, 2RM.
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At the end of the day, I didn't exactly say that.

Of course it is a matter of faith. And it is not a matter of the 'world's reason'. But the Christian can reason and have critical thinking concerning learning the truth about God and Christ and the Bible. Our reason and critical thinking are on a different level then the world's. We don't come to the Bible with doubt. We don't come to seek knowledge of God and Christ as if it may not be so. We seek to know God and Christ through His revealed Word and His Spirit in us.

Just because it is a matter of faith doesn't mean the Christian doesn't know. We do know, because we came the way God provided we come. And He gives it to us to know. In other words, I know Jesus Christ is the only way to God. I know it. I know Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Saviour. I know it.

If you give me a polygrpah test and ask me those questions I assure you I would pass. If I am ever tortured to the point that I say Jesus is not the Son of God, then all you have done is made me a liar. Because I still know it is true. Our faith brings us into this knowing.

Coming to this truth, to this knowledge, to this knowing, is from God. And He has used faith as the trigger so as to exempt those who would come any other way. Because our 'faith' is from Him.

Quantrill
 
I remember once an Anglican bishop saying that the opposite of faith is not doubt. It is certainty. Make of that what you will!

Best wishes, 2RM.
 
2ndRateMind said:
I remember once an Anglican bishop saying that the opposite of faith is not doubt. It is certainty. Make of that what you will!

Best wishes, 2RM.
Click to expand...

Well, he is wrong. The Christian believes and knows with certainty. The Anglican bishop doesn't know much about Christian faith.

Quantrill
 
2ndRateMind said:
I wonder if you have any advice to offer?

Best wishes to all, 2RM
Click to expand...
One thing that really helps is to learn to recognize logical fallacies. Critical thinking is an important part of understanding Scripture that a lot of Christians neglect. Because of this many have accepted erroneous teachings. There are quite a few doctrines that are not Biblical that have been accepted through a lack of critical thinking. Study logic and logical fallacies.
 
2ndRateMind said:
Do you think then, my friend, that we should approach every text critically, including the scriptures?

Best wishes, 2RM.
Click to expand...

Depends what you mean by ' critical' ?

What is the bible to you, a book write out of mens imagination oras a result of a revelation from God?

We are to be able to give a 'reason' for our faith. That means knowing what and why one believes and the arguements used by those who do not believe.
This means hard work on our part, God promises to bring to our remembrance what we have learnt, to give us words to speak from what we already know.

Jesus never rebuked those who lacked faith, but were willing to believe, he rebuked those whose minds were closed so doubts and questions are not sinful, so long as one is active in seeking answers.
 
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