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| Next month, The Builder's Journal will continue down the path of the paradigm shift referred to in this edition. |
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| ABOUT US |
Bill and Carol are both involved in free-lance writing.
For many years, Bill has felt a desire to strengthen marriages. He writes a regular column for the Boise Examiner, an online news outlet. Bill's marriage articles are written in a manner that will encourage and strengthen believers and unbelievers alike.
Carol writes a regular column about her favorite pastime, paper crafting. Her articles are short and informative and help the reader to further develop their skills as they pertain to card making, scrapbooking, etc.
Because of strongly held conviction about receiving ministry income, the Sperry's are involved in various enterprises that are designed to help keep them on the road. You can help by subscribing to their columns online. You can also see their ministry financial policy here.
Check out the website for free MP3 files of Bill's TV program, The Living Room. The Living Room airs each Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM on KCLP TV-18 in Boise,ID.
The Living Room also airs on KMLS Kosher Radio 101.9 in Carlsbad, NM.
Satellite radio listeners can tune in On Thursday Afternoons at 4:00 MST:
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House to Life Ministries has launched the "Builder's Journal" as it's communication arm. Included you will find thought provoking articles and information about this ministry. We look forward to hearing your questions and comments.
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Creator's Calendar
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9/16/6009
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| Welcome to the Builder's Journal |
The Art of Critical Thinking and its Mysterious Disappearance from Modern Christianity
Why is it, that you can take a scientist (of virtually any discipline) and put them in a Christian Denominational setting, and every critical thinking concept that they use in their day to day lives seems to be put on the shelf at the door of their local church?
Why is it, when a person enters into a relationship with the Messiah, that they are expected to adopt a particular way of thinking that conforms to the local institutional religious organization they are joining? Many times this line of thinking is not only adding to the Scriptural requirements for said relationship; it is contrary to Scriptural teaching.
Why is it, when a believer begins to "mature" in their walk with the Lord and they begin to ask questions of the local establishment, they find themselves at odds with said local establishment and before long, will find themselves looking for a new place to worship?
The answer to these questions is a sad one... Critical thinking is discouraged in modern Christianity.
Critical thinking is defined as follows:
Critical thinking is the purposeful and reflective judgment about what to believe or what to do in response to observations, experience, verbal or written expressions, or arguments. Critical thinking involves determining the meaning and significance of what is observed or expressed, or, concerning a given inference or argument, determining whether there is adequate justification to accept the conclusion as true.
In contemporary usage "critical" has the connotation of expressing disapproval, which is not always true of critical thinking. A critical evaluation of an argument, for example, might conclude that it is valid.
The reason that critical thinking is discouraged in the denominational setting is simple: People don't like to be wrong. If I admit that there is even a possibility that I am wrong, it causes me a bit of discomfort. After all, isn't Christianity all about being comfortable in my beliefs? (Rhetorical question here, and the answer is NO!)
I once sat through a sermon preached by an international denominational leader at a pastor's conference that concluded that if you didn't believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, you were not born again! It is no wonder that individuals are afraid to express their opinions (let alone their doubts) when these types of attitudes are so pervasive in contemporary Christianity.
Examining one's relationship with Christ from a critical thinking viewpoint requires, by its nature, a starting point. That starting point for believers is determining what or Whom is our final authority. If we determine that the Bible, or Scripture is our final authority, (as modern Christianity does) we find ourselves in the denominational quagmire of 38,000 to 40,000 different interpretations.
Conversely, if we determine (as Scripture does) that Jesus Christ is The Word of YHVH and therefore our final Authority, we bind ourselves to His words and His interpretations of Scriptural practice.
To move from one starting point to the other requires a dramatic paradigm shift. In order to understand this paradigm shift, we must first define a paradigm:
par·a·digm (pār'ə-dīm', -dĭm') n.
1. One that serves as a pattern or model.
2. A set or list of all the inflectional forms of a word or of one of its grammatical categories: the paradigm of an irregular verb.
3. A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline. (Wikipedia)
For the purposes of this discussion, Modern Christianity recognizes Holy Scripture as its paradigm of final authority.
A paradigm shift is defined as:
n. a fundamental change in approach or assumptions. (Dictionary.com)
In order for an individual to move from one starting point to the other requires an admission of error. Scripture never refers to itself as "The Word of God." That is a designation that modern Christians have given it. There are two definitions found within the pages of Scripture for "the word of God."
1. Jesus Christ (see John 1:1, 14; Heb.4:12,13; Rev.19:13)
2. A prophetic word spoken by a prophet to a specific group or person
(there are over 800 references for "The Word of God," with most of them fitting within this category.)
Hebrews 1:1 tells us about Jesus' role in the life of the New Covenant believer. We must be willing to accept Him for who He is!
Does this mean that Scripture carries no authority? Certainly not!
Scripture is properly defined as:
1. Often, Scriptures. Also called Holy Scripture, Holy Scriptures. The sacred writings of the Old or New Testaments or both together.
2. (Often lowercase) any writing or book, esp. when of a sacred or religious nature.
3. (Sometimes lowercase) a particular passage from the Bible; text.
Holy Scripture must be given every bit of authority that we find outlined for itself within its own writings.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 states: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
However, when Scripture is elevated to the status of "The Word of God", it is given, by definition, the same status as Jesus Christ. The danger of this designation is "Bible Worship" with the consequence of not being able to think critically about it. The participant in this worship is subject to the interpretations of the "experts" without input from the individual. The individual is hence disqualified from the command to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)."
Perhaps the greatest barrier to a paradigm shift, in some cases, is the reality of paradigm paralysis: the inability or refusal to see beyond the current models of thinking. We must wake up to the fact that cognitive process is a vital part of our salvation experience.
2 Corinthians 10:4,5 tells us: "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ"(emphasis mine).
Notice that this is not a commandment to submit to denominational structure! It is a command to THINK like a true believer in Christ, knowing that a vital part of our salvation experience has to do with the thought process.
Watch out for splinters in rough lumber,
Bill
All Scripture quotations are from the authorized King James Version.
For more information on Who is the Word of YHVH, you can listen to Bill's teaching on the subject here.
Additional Materials:
Don Harris- Parable Paradox
Creator's Calendar
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| Recent Happenings |
We arrived home to Idaho on the afternoon of November 19th. It feels so good to be back in our beloved mountain valley. The weather is brisk and clear, just the way we like it. We spent our first week catching up, visiting with family and settling into our winter space.
We are looking forward, making lists to get the editing and writing tasks done and making plans for the new year. During this month, we are awaiting the birth of our 4th granddaughter, the ninth grandchild for us. We are so blessed. Shortly after the new year, our youngest son, Jim and family will be leaving for England where they will be stationed for the next four years.
Spending time with family, staying warm and well-fed are our plans for the remainder of this year......what will you be up to?
-Carol
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Building for the cause of the Kingdom,
Bill and Carol Sperry
House To Life Ministries
PO Box 967
Middleton, Id 83644
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