Engaging That Thing Between Your Ears
One of the saddening debacles in America right now is the absence of robust biblical thinking. Instead of holding to a biblical worldview, over 94% of our country is said to hold to a non-Christian belief system.1 Only 2% of millennials maintain a biblical worldview, yet 61% profess Christianity. These facts show us two truths. First of all, most Americans do not think from a biblical foundation nor try to apply Scripture to life issues. Secondly, there is a disconnect between what many individuals profess to believe as compared to what they actually believe when the rubber hits the road. For example, 51% of American adults believe they have a biblical worldview, yet of that 51%, 49% believe reincarnation is a possibility after they die. They claim to believe in biblical Christianity while failing basic doctrinal testing.
We must take the action of learning to think, engaging that most underutilized part of the body known as our brain. Sitting just behind our eyes, perfectly placed between the two ears, it is not difficult to engage, though it does take a bit of effort. However, it is not enough for us to use our brain, we must understand the Word of God and learn to think biblically. The starting point for us is to pick up the Scripture as our foundation. Much of the issue, in my estimation, is that we live in a culture valuing emotions over truth where flamboyant posts driving follower counts are valued above factually robust analysis. In other words, most aspects of our society are driven to motivate us towards shallow emotions instead of deep thoughts. Everything is based on short-term gratification, which does not typically produce long-lasting thinking grounded in the Word and submitted to Christ. Understanding our temptation to be solely emotionally driven and shallow as Christians, how do we overcome and drink deeply of God’s truth found in the Bible?
Practical Steps
What are some simple ways we can seek to be deeper in our understanding of Scripture and application of it in everyday life? First of all, actually take time to read the Bible. Approximately 1/3 of Protestants actually take time to read the Word of God every day.3 It is going to be hard to obey the Bible in every area of life if you do not understand what it says. So, dedicate yourself to the study of God’s Word. Take notes and jot down an outline of the various epistles and biblical books so you can understand the entire theme. Focus on digging deep into what God has revealed in the pages of the canonical Scripture.
Not only do you need to know the Scripture, you need to apply the Bible. Whenever you are faced with a big decision, strive to see what the Bible says both explicitly and implicitly about the subject. Examine your life through the lens of Scripture and see where you need to change to be more biblical. Be rigorous about this process, do not neglect to evaluate any area. Sift everything in your life through the Scripture, so all that remains is that which is deemed pure according to the changeless standard of God.
Lastly, spend time with other Christians who are also seeking to live fully for God’s glory and cultivate their minds biblically. Sit under the preaching of a godly man knowledgeable in the Word of God. Ask questions of that man and seek out counsel from other wise Christians as to how you can live more like Christ. There is wisdom to be gleaned from our brothers and sisters in Christ who are also filled with the Spirit of God seeking to honor Christ by living according to His Word. Of course, you must filter their advice by the authoritative Bible, but so far as each of you are biblical, you should learn from one another.
Learn To Love God With All Your Being
Some professing Christians, believe it is actually spiritual to live without a robust biblical theology and worldview. Known as fideism, proponents of this viewpoint and variations thereof believe faith and reason cannot be reconciled, and evidence should not be sought for religious belief.2 In contrast to this idea, we have the Bible’s command for us to love God with all of our minds. Luke 10:27 says:
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” -Luke 10:27
There is no opposition between faith and reason, God is the master of them both! Therefore, we should seek to love God with our minds which means we must be transformed by renewing them according to Scripture (Romans 12:2). If you are going to be a thoughtful Christian, a believer who engages their mind for the glory of God, you must commit to the Bible as your foundational source. You must see it as the sufficient Word able to equip the man of God “for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).” This truth will mean you must strive to bring every area of life into submission under biblical authority. When engaging political issues, be robustly biblical. Raise your children and educate them as Scripture dictates. Share the Gospel with unbelievers and give them a coherent defense of the faith. Seek to bring every aspect of life into subservience to God. Be a thoughtful Christian who seeks to bring every thought captive to Christ.
Sources
1 You can find the statistics here: https://www.christianpost.com/news/only-6-of-americans-have-a-biblical-worldview-survey.html
2 https://www.gotquestions.org/fideism.html
3 https://lifewayresearch.com/2019/07/02/few-protestant-churchgoers-read-the-bible-daily/
Leave a Reply