So, I was reading through January's issue of HomeLife magazine (we get it for free at the daycare), and saw an article that I really wanted to share with my girls, although it's thought-provoking and important for everyone. Since I can't seem to find it to copy it online, I'm typing out the whole thing here but want to give credit where credit is due. It's written by Michael Easley and is called:
Renewing Your Mind
Don't let the world teach you theology.
After high school and into college, I worked as a mechanic. While I loved working on cars and trucks, the environment was rough. Among shopworn mechanics, you will find some pretty gritty ideas about life
As a young believer, it was an inteesting challenge. Pornography was out in the open,the vocabulary that was used in the garage included "colorful metaphors" to describe anyone and anything, and the subjects they talked about all provided quite an education.
I have a vivid memory of working on a very frustrating repair. I lost my temper and blurted out a "colorful metaphor." The shop went quiet. The mechanic in the bay next to me said, "Well ... the preacher-boy has finally lost it." After a few seconds of silence, they all roared in laughter.
At one level, it's a silly story. What's the big deal if a "colorful metaphor" rolls off our lips? But at a deeper level, it illustrates the imperceptible influence of listening to the wrong messages over a period of time. It shows how our thinking, attitudes, and actions can be affected when we are surrounded by the wrong kinds of influence.
We are all exposed to an endless stream that shapes our philosophy, opinions, and views of life. We are not immune to the barrage of misinformation or sinful influences. We may think, "Blurting out a cuss word is no big deal", but that's not the point.The point is, the world is heavily influencing us in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
To "think theologically" takes a bit of training. It seems to begin by being aware of the world's messages. Let me suggest you keep three things in mind to start thinking theologically:
Listen to the World's Messages
It is hard to overstate that we are constantly bombarded with the culture's views of modernity, relativism, tolerance ... anything goes, just as long as it's not biblical Christianity.
Know Your Presuppositions
Why do you believe what you believe? Where did you get that idea? How did you arrive at that conclusion? We all have a truckload of presuppositions. Without knowing, we bring these suppositions to the table. But we may not have thought about them carefully, or we are unsure how to give a defense of why we believe what we believe. The result can be one of two extremes, we hold fast to something not knowing why, or, when challenged, we give up. As you grow in your understanding and confidence about what God's Word teaches, you will find the strength to be gentle, firm, loving, and kind to those with whom you disagree.
Be Mindful of Your Worldview
Our intimacy with Christ frames our worldview. We cannot live a "Christian life" apart from knowing Christ intimately. Getting to know Christ is not a five to ten minute devotional. I liken this to having a best friend. A best friend requires two things: time and a common interest. Do you spend time with Him, in His Word, and in prayer? There is no short cut, nor substitute. The overflow of this is huge. The more you know the Savior, the more you want to be like Him.
Now, there is one caveat here. I do not recall who said it, or where I read it, but in essence, the closer to Christ I walk, the more of my sin I see. The good news in this is that our intimacy with Christ, through His Word and in prayer, exposes our sin, but also enables us to keep short accounts. Again, just like a friendship, staying close, asking forgiveness, apologizing ... only deepens our relationship.
Learning to think theologically is a great - and even fun - journey. It moves from a check-list of do's and don'ts to "being." Who am I in Christ? Beyond being saved and forgiven, what is this relationship like? Do I know the mind of Christ? Am I living for Christ, or simply wanting Christ to make my life easier?
Renewing Your Mind
Don't let the world teach you theology.
After high school and into college, I worked as a mechanic. While I loved working on cars and trucks, the environment was rough. Among shopworn mechanics, you will find some pretty gritty ideas about life
As a young believer, it was an inteesting challenge. Pornography was out in the open,the vocabulary that was used in the garage included "colorful metaphors" to describe anyone and anything, and the subjects they talked about all provided quite an education.
I have a vivid memory of working on a very frustrating repair. I lost my temper and blurted out a "colorful metaphor." The shop went quiet. The mechanic in the bay next to me said, "Well ... the preacher-boy has finally lost it." After a few seconds of silence, they all roared in laughter.
At one level, it's a silly story. What's the big deal if a "colorful metaphor" rolls off our lips? But at a deeper level, it illustrates the imperceptible influence of listening to the wrong messages over a period of time. It shows how our thinking, attitudes, and actions can be affected when we are surrounded by the wrong kinds of influence.
We are all exposed to an endless stream that shapes our philosophy, opinions, and views of life. We are not immune to the barrage of misinformation or sinful influences. We may think, "Blurting out a cuss word is no big deal", but that's not the point.The point is, the world is heavily influencing us in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
To "think theologically" takes a bit of training. It seems to begin by being aware of the world's messages. Let me suggest you keep three things in mind to start thinking theologically:
Listen to the World's Messages
It is hard to overstate that we are constantly bombarded with the culture's views of modernity, relativism, tolerance ... anything goes, just as long as it's not biblical Christianity.
Know Your Presuppositions
Why do you believe what you believe? Where did you get that idea? How did you arrive at that conclusion? We all have a truckload of presuppositions. Without knowing, we bring these suppositions to the table. But we may not have thought about them carefully, or we are unsure how to give a defense of why we believe what we believe. The result can be one of two extremes, we hold fast to something not knowing why, or, when challenged, we give up. As you grow in your understanding and confidence about what God's Word teaches, you will find the strength to be gentle, firm, loving, and kind to those with whom you disagree.
Be Mindful of Your Worldview
Our intimacy with Christ frames our worldview. We cannot live a "Christian life" apart from knowing Christ intimately. Getting to know Christ is not a five to ten minute devotional. I liken this to having a best friend. A best friend requires two things: time and a common interest. Do you spend time with Him, in His Word, and in prayer? There is no short cut, nor substitute. The overflow of this is huge. The more you know the Savior, the more you want to be like Him.
Now, there is one caveat here. I do not recall who said it, or where I read it, but in essence, the closer to Christ I walk, the more of my sin I see. The good news in this is that our intimacy with Christ, through His Word and in prayer, exposes our sin, but also enables us to keep short accounts. Again, just like a friendship, staying close, asking forgiveness, apologizing ... only deepens our relationship.
Learning to think theologically is a great - and even fun - journey. It moves from a check-list of do's and don'ts to "being." Who am I in Christ? Beyond being saved and forgiven, what is this relationship like? Do I know the mind of Christ? Am I living for Christ, or simply wanting Christ to make my life easier?
