A Repetitive Occurrence
Over and over again throughout the last few years I have noticed an extraordinary amount of people I know who assert that it seems like our society has lost its collective mind. In some cases, this can be overblown because there are many in our culture who frankly are highly intelligent individuals living in an incredibly biblical manner, to act like they don’t exist is to ignore reality. However, I do believe that those who see a lack of logical, biblical, and clear-headed thinking are on to something. Now, you might be wondering why I as a theologically minded writer care to address this issue? Simply put, I think the issue of a lack of level-headed thinking is indicative of two worldview issues.
First, many in our society elevate feelings and emotions over truth. Instead of seeking to understand the truth of a matter, and make a thoughtful decision to do what is right, many of us can fall prey to flying off in a different direction according to the whims of our emotions. God made humanity to have emotional responses, but they are not the driving force for our worldview and they are not a good place to ground your major life decisions either. However, I think there is a second issue that is really the pivotal factor in terms of the reason we see such a lack of logical thought. It is the reality that far too many in our culture are not seeking to think in such a way that they would bring glory to God. Instead of having their decisions, thoughts, and overall activities of their minds being governed by Scripture, they are simply doing what is right in their own eyes. This point, brings us back to a foundational worldview issue currently in our society.
The Importance and Foundation of Correct Reasoning
When discussing logic and our obligation to think rightly, Dr. Jason Lisle makes some clarifying points for us to consider:
“Logic is the study of the principles of correct reasoning. To be logical is to think rightly: to draw reasonable conclusions from the available information. Correct reasoning helps us to have true beliefs, and acting on true beliefs tends to have a far better outcome than acting on false beliefs. Clearly, it is to our great advantage to reason correctly. And while all human beings have some capacity to be logical, we can improve our reasoning by taking a class or reading books or articles on the topic, and by studying the Bible. A thorough knowledge of logic can be immensely helpful in our own reasoning, or when reasoning with others. But in addition to any pragmatic advantage, we have a moral obligation to be logical. Thinking rightly is not optional for the Christian. It is something God requires of us.”1
Notice how Dr. Lisle draws the connection between proper thinking and a Christian worldview here in this paragraph. As believers, our goal is to understand the truth, live the truth, meditate on the truth, and love the truth all for the glory of God. Point being, Christians must seek to think biblically. Whenever we seek to understand mathematics we are undertaking that endeavor with the goal of walking into that realm of knowledge that God has made. If we are trying to comprehend how to do our job better, we seek that understanding with the goal of glorifying God in what we do. However, unbelievers are not striving to pattern their thoughts after God nor do they seek His glory in their lives. The more a society becomes autonomous, believing itself to be operating apart from God, the more it will become illogical and irrational. Its sin will intensify and it will spiral down the cycle of depravity. Romans 1:28-32 makes this point abundantly clear:
“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” -Romans 1:28-32
They do not acknowledge, and bow before God, therefore they are given over to a debased or reprobate mind that continues in the cycle of depravity. What are you left with as an unbeliever when you reject the God of creation? You live your life in sin, fear, anxiety, worry, irrationality, and without any stable solid foundation, therefore being ungrounded you are tossed around by each and every wave of life. But, for the Christian, this is not the case. It is not that a Christian will never have to battle anxiety or have an irrational thought, we all must grow in sanctification and are being matured by the grace of Christ. Yet, the unbeliever continually rejects God and when you see rebellion against God and His Word in society you see a cycle of depravity and a denial of reality as God has made it.
The Remedy
Whenever you see a society or culture rejecting reality at the core level and throwing off any idea of logical and rational thought, you are seeing the results of the rejection of a biblical worldview. What then is the solution to this issue? It is the preaching of the Gospel that human beings might be saved by the power of Christ. It is the declaration of the full counsel of God’s Word so that the nations might be made disciples of King Jesus knowing how to glorify Him in every area of life. It is not enough for us to have Christians who are involved in politics, education, or whatever else. No, we must fully apply Christian thinking to education, the political realm, the family, the church, and all of life. Instead of thinking biblically, too many are thinking fleshly. That friends, is why our society seems to be spiraling into insanity. They simply want to gratify the desires of sin instead of living righteously before God.
So then, when you see people lacking good old-fashioned common sense and logic, simply remember, it is an issue in our culture because our culture is abandoning a biblical worldview. And, take that opportunity, to share the Gospel in the moment with the individual and talk to them about the importance of thinking rightly. Though some critics may question my having a brain, I do assure you that God has given both me and you one as well. Let us learn to use them for Christ’s glory according to His Word!
Source
1 https://biblicalscienceinstitute.com/theology/logic-our-moral-obligation/
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