As part of my recent classes, I finally learned the academic "label" for something that I have noticed for several years. In the past, I had noticed that there seems to be several issues in Scripture that appear to have two or more solutions that are opposite, but equally valid answers. (For example, the Bible tells us that God is the One who provides us wisdom, but we are encouraged to pursue wisdom.) Since I am convinced that the Bible does not contain contradictions, it means that we are left to understand how both answers can be equally true.
The reality is known as a post-formal problem. It is post-formal in that it lies beyond just the logical answers one finds in formal problems. (That is a very simplified explanation, but frankly the definitions on this topic can be mind-numbingly boring!) I find this to be a fascinating line of thinking. I have wrestled with a couple of these issues for many years now, and it is comforting to see that other thinkers have recognized that these problems are out there for us to ponder.
A few of the post-formal problems I struggle with would include:
When it comes to salvation, is it that God has predestined people for salvation or do people have any choice in the matter?
God brings spiritual growth, but we are called to pursue our spiritual growth.
God is three but one.
As you ponder your own post-formal problems, you must keep a few things in mind.
1. Scripture never contradicts itself. Don't let a problem that you don't fully understand shake your faith in the veracity in God's word.
2. Wrestle problems like this with all of God's word in mind. Don't just pull your favorite verses that support your position and ignore passages that may contradict your position. We understand truth in light of all that the Bible says.
3. We will never have all the answers to most of these questions. The answer for these questions is often "Yes." Is God three or is God one? Yes, he is both. Most of these problems require us to live in tension with the two answers (God gives us wisdom, which requires us to depend upon God, while we pursue wisdom by using our time wisely to study for example.)
4. Post-formal thinking is not easy, but it should bring a deeper appreciation for the "bigness" of our God and cause us to depend upon him. We will never have all the answers, so we wrestle with the truths of Scripture, but we live a life of faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus.
So, don't be afraid to do a little deep thinking about the things of God.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Renewing of the Mind
I recently finished a class that had me thinking a lot about the brain, the way we think, and how our bad thinking can be changed. We read a book for my class that deals with secular research on how new and different thinking can "remap" the brain and create new ways of processing information.
Two passages of Scripture come to mind about this issue of the way we think. Romans 12:2 calls on Christians to "not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Paul is writing that we need to set aside thinking the same way the world does and to let our minds be changed in the way we think.
Philippians 4:8-9 tells us, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice." God calls us to think about things that contain the qualities listed above.
When these verses are seen in light of the new research on the brain, it tells us that Scripture memorization and meditating on Scripture are crucial to renewing our minds. Thinking on Scripture will not only transform our mind, but it will change the way our brain functions. This is critical to overcoming the bad information and messed up thinking that we acquire throughout our lives.
I would encourage you to spend time memorizing passages of Scripture. As you memorize, you need to meditate on what the passages mean. Unlike other meditation, the meditation God calls us to is not to empty our minds, but to fill our minds with God and his word. The time invested in learning and thinking about God's word will completely change the way we view our world.
Two passages of Scripture come to mind about this issue of the way we think. Romans 12:2 calls on Christians to "not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Paul is writing that we need to set aside thinking the same way the world does and to let our minds be changed in the way we think.
Philippians 4:8-9 tells us, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice." God calls us to think about things that contain the qualities listed above.
When these verses are seen in light of the new research on the brain, it tells us that Scripture memorization and meditating on Scripture are crucial to renewing our minds. Thinking on Scripture will not only transform our mind, but it will change the way our brain functions. This is critical to overcoming the bad information and messed up thinking that we acquire throughout our lives.
I would encourage you to spend time memorizing passages of Scripture. As you memorize, you need to meditate on what the passages mean. Unlike other meditation, the meditation God calls us to is not to empty our minds, but to fill our minds with God and his word. The time invested in learning and thinking about God's word will completely change the way we view our world.
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