One of the great benefits of my education has been the training to think critically and engage others the same way. Of course, this critical thinking must be constrained so as to avoid being overly critical or simply judgmental (fortunately, I have a great wife who keeps me straight). In the church at large, I believe that we have overplayed the danger of judging at the loss of critical thinking. Rarely do I find myself wrestling with conflict in the church as a result of someone thinking too hard, but very often I find people who simply do not critically engage at all.
This is disappointing for me because the lack of critical engagement is not an indicator of a person’s intelligence. In fact, some incredibly intelligent people seem to have the ability to shut down their critical thinking skills within the context of the local church. There is a great danger here, not only for the health of the church, but for one’s personal spiritual health as well. Paul urges the Ephesians to grow up into “mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Why?
So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined an held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
We are to think critically so that we can be grounded and mature in Christ. Notice that instead of “being carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness, deceitful schemes,” we are to speak the truth in love. The way to be grounded and to avoid craftiness and deceitfulness is by speaking the truth in love, and the end result is healthy people and a healthy church. We cannot and must not accept everything that we hear, instead we must test the prophets (1 Cor. 14:32) and the spirits (1 John 4:1). Christians, you are called to think.
The best way to critically engage people or ideas is by asking questions. A few questions you might ask include:
- What evidence do I have to suggest that this person/idea is godly?
- What competency do I see in this person/idea that gives credibility to this claim?
- Does this align with the scriptures?
- What is the purpose for this person making this claim?
- Is this controversial or divisive?
- Will this build up the church?
Remember, people often have ulterior motives. Are they questioning the sermon because they disagree with a point or because they have a desire to undermine the pastor? Does this person have a legitimate point or an unhealthy preoccupation with disagreements? Does the fact that he manages a fortune 500 company prove that he is an expert on Revelation?
Maybe all of this seems like boring hard work to you. What’s the big deal anyway? Peter Pan never grew up, and he seemed to have a great time. However, according to Paul, the big deal if you don’t grow up is that you will be swept away by all sorts of waves of doctrine. Your very soul may be shipwrecked, and the church will never be the healthy, life-changing entity that God created it to be.
