Christians and Critical thinking

[The Simple Plan]

For the purpose of this thread I shall give two rather loose definition of the term critical thinking (there are many more!!)

Critical thinking is "reasonably and reflectively deciding what to believe or do." -Ennis, 1985

Critical thinking is the formation of logical inferences. -Simon and Kapplan, 1989

Now using logic and reason, acts of God or miracles in the Bible will be very hard for a Christian to explain. If this initial hurdle is not passed over it then becomes even more a challenge to readily accept lower criticism as well as higher criticism of Biblical interpretation.

Lower criticism (loose definition) being understanding the Bible in terms of the language, grammatical, contextual and cultural setting. The Bible in effect being its own interpreter.Higher criticism questions the validity of the text, denying miracles and seeing prophetic revelations (e.g. Revelation, Daniel) as things that have passed on already.

For students who believe that the Bible is inspired by God, higher criticism is is an area usually not in their belief structure. If I have not lost anyone by now, how do we as Christians combine critical thinking and reason with those parts of Christian belief in the Bible which are considered absolute but which require a leap of faith? For example, the Flood, Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, water into wine? The acts of faith alluded to in Hebrews 11?


Thoughts?

 

[Susan]

I personally believe that when it comes to the Bible and its miracles that we are to suspend critical thinking.

However, this does not mean that we are to suspend critical thinking on what someone claims the Bible says.

As an example, I am not going to doubt that at some time there was a global Flood. The Bible says it, and I am not to question that or challenge it.

However, if someone eisegetes from a few passages that breathing is a sin and must be avoided, although he may be claiming the entire time to be "only saying what the Bible says," I will use critical thinking to notice that 1: this person is a hypocrite since he is still alive and is therefore breathing himself. 2: Nowhere in the Bible is breathing prohibited. and 3: This is a crazy cult, I had better get out of here before it is too late.

 

[Gerry]

lololololololololol THANKS Susan! I must say that whether I agree with you are not you can be counted on to stand up and be counted when it comes to what you believe. I just LOVE it!!!

Originally posted by Susan
I personally believe that when it comes to the Bible and its miracles that we are to suspend critical thinking.

However, this does not mean that we are to suspend critical thinking on what someone claims the Bible says.

As an example, I am not going to doubt that at some time there was a global Flood. The Bible says it, and I am not to question that or challenge it.

However, if someone eisegetes from a few passages that breathing is a sin and must be avoided, although he may be claiming the entire time to be "only saying what the Bible says," I will use critical thinking to notice that 1: this person is a hypocrite since he is still alive and is therefore breathing himself. 2: Nowhere in the Bible is breathing prohibited. and 3: This is a crazy cult, I had better get out of here before it is too late.

 

[paulewog]

Ok. Critical thinking basically rules out ANYTHING that...

(1) we can't comprehend
(2) is supernatural

So that would completely rule out

(1) God
(2) Miracles
(3) Creation
(4) .....



Can you tell I'm not really into critical thinking

I believe it started in Germany. Around that same time, look what else came about there. There were some pretty gross things going on.

 

[paulewog]

Hmm. That is, at least, what I understand it as.

If I attempt to think at ALL about the Trinity, I can grasp the concept, but reason it out? Not at all

So what you're left with is a God that's not all knowing, not all powerful, not everywhere at the same time, isn't a trinity, wasn't a man AND God, didn't raise Himself from the dead, didn't do any miracles, didn't create the world...

errr....

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

This just validates the stereotype of anti-intellectual Christians. How can one really understand the Bible without thinking critically? Isn't an unwillingness to think critically a sign of a lack of faith? Truth has nothing to fear.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Originally posted by paulewog
Ok. Critical thinking basically rules out ANYTHING that...

(1) we can't comprehend
(2) is supernatural

So that would completely rule out

(1) God
(2) Miracles
(3) Creation
(4) .....



Can you tell I'm not really into critical thinking

I believe it started in Germany. Around that same time, look what else came about there. There were some pretty gross things going on.

I think you are confusing critical thinking with materialism.

 

[paulewog]

Please define critical thinking then

As for anti-intellectual, please tell me where I said that we shouldn't think at all.

As for thinking critically.... think about this for a moment

(1) I believe the Bible is inspired by God and has no errors.
(2) It has been time tested and has stayed inerrant.
(3) Because of that, what it says I believe, whether or not I understand it.

Whether or not I can reason something out, think it critically.... matters not.

Critical thinking ultimately (as well as hundreds of other philosophies ) brings everything down to man's level....

Humanism is also something it's called, I think

 

[Tinker Grey]

Originally posted by fragmentsofdreams
This just validates the stereotype of anti-intellectual Christians. How can one really understand the Bible without thinking critically? Isn't an unwillingness to think critically a sign of a lack of faith? Truth has nothing to fear.

Absolutely!

 

[The Simple Plan]

So are we saying, based on my first definitions, they are diametrically opposed and there is not room for it as a Christian, or that if we look more into what critical thinking is about that it helps to confirm our faith or beliefs?

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Originally posted by paulewog
Please define critical thinking then

Critical thinking means applying standards of proof equally. Statements are evaluated based on support by evidence and consistency with the rest of reality before being accepted.

As for anti-intellectual, please tell me where I said that we shouldn't think at all.

Saying that you are against critical thinking makes you sound anti-intellectual, even if you are mistaken about what critical thinking actually is.

As for thinking critically.... think about this for a moment

(1) I believe the Bible is inspired by God and has no errors.
(2) It has been time tested and has stayed inerrant.
(3) Because of that, what it says I believe, whether or not I understand it.

Whether or not I can reason something out, think it critically.... matters not.

(2) shows that you believe that even the validity of the Bible should be tested. That is critical thinking.

Critical thinking ultimately (as well as hundreds of other philosophies ) brings everything down to man's level....

Humanism is also something it's called, I think

Critical thinking is a theory of knowledge encompassing a way of evaluating whether something is true or false. It takes no position on other philosophical question, such as the existence of God or the nature of human beings.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Originally posted by The Simple Plan
So are we saying, based on my first definitions, they are diametrically opposed and there is not room for it as a Christian, or that if we look more into what critical thinking is about that it helps to confirm our faith or beliefs?

Logic helps, not hinders, the search for God. Actively thinking about one's faith reveals the underlying connections between various theological doctrines. It also helps to weed out one's mistakes.

 

[Blackhawk]

How is deciding to believe in God not using one's critical thinking capabilities? I believe that it is more reasonable to believe in a God and that God being the Christian God than not to believe. I use reason and critical thinking to come to this conclusion. by reason I understand that faith or nonfaith is my only options when it comes to the question of God after it gets to a certain level. So I can't prove God but reason compels me to believe that there is a God because the evidences support God's existence. I can't prove this but it seems the most reasonable conclusion to me. How is this not critical thinking?