The bottom line, in a Christian worldview, is that humans are sinful, we need a savior, and our salvation is in Jesus Christ, not human reason or anything else.

On the other hand, logical reasoning is useful, it should be highly valued, and “critical thinking must be a part of every Christian classroom if we are to maintain our integrity” (“Critical Thinking and the Christian Perspective” by Wendy Dutton, Thomas Hart and Rebecca Patten). For living by faith as a Christian, one useful approach is to combine critical thinking — “the art of taking charge of your own mind [which is valuable because]… if we can take charge of our own minds, we can take charge of our lives” with Christian thinking: “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God — what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect” (Romans 12:2-3).

Christian thinking requires that we take on the mind of Christ. This is done by learning and understanding the Bible, having a Holy Spirit empowered prayer life, longing for community with other Believers, and ministry that is modeled after Christ’s example which was motivated by love. If our theology and Christian lifestyle is based solely on the aspiration of spiritual truths inaccessible through intellectual means, then we miss an important part of our createdness as image-bearers of God.

In the New American Standard Bible, the word “think” is found 39 times in 37 verses which is an indication that thinking is a part of our existence that God did not intend for us to ignore. Not to mention, we are exhorted if not commanded to study (Ezra 7:10), teach (2 Timothy 2:2), learn (Ephesians 5:10), and examine (Acts 17:11) the scriptures which requires the process of critical thinking in order to train the mind to see the world through the lens of the Bible.

Perhaps the most important reason for Christians to think is this: it is the way we think that influences our actions and develops our character. Our thought processes defines who we really are; therefore it is imperative that we think the way our mouths profess us to be.

Paul’s instruction in Romans 12:2 to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” is not a one time occurrence it is a daily renewal through the study and meditation of the Word of God. That is the way it happens. That is how we learn not only to think but to think as God does.

My dad says, “If you’re not feeding yourself with the Bible all the time, you will be thinking like the world.” In our age of experiential churches and postmodern culture, I would like to amend this quote this way: “If you are not feeding yourself with the Bible, you won’t be thinking at all.”

Dountonia is BellaOnline’s Baptist Editor

In Romans 12:2 Paul challenged the church at Rome with these words, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

This challenge applies to Christians living in the 21st century as much as it did to the church at Rome. Our reading materials and TV certainly appeal to all of us to conform to the patterns of this world. The challenge to us is not to yield to that appeal but to seek to renew our minds through filtering out what we allow our minds to absorb.

Earlier in Romans 8 Paul reminded the early church that our sinful nature has our minds set on what that nature desires and is hostile to God. However, as Christians we are admonished to live in accordance with the Spirit and have our minds set on what the Spirit desires.

How do we do that? One of the most effective ways is to spend time in the Bible where we can learn of Christ’s own words and those of the Apostles, memorizing many of them. This will enable the Holy Spirit to recall these to our minds when we need them.

Another way is to control what goes into our minds. The old saying regarding computers applies here: garbage in, garbage out. This takes self-control that we are admonished many times in the Bible to practice (2 Peter 1:5-9).

So, if you wish to renew your mind, take an inventory of what type of material you are reading or watching on TV. Spend more time in the Bible and practicing self-control. Memorize Philippians 4:8 for starters.

According to a Yahoo search, Americans spent 92.27 billion dollars on gambling in 2007. You may not be one of those who contributed to this amount, but many do. A host of opportunities are available for those who wish to.

Many also gamble in another way, that the Bible is not relative to their lives in the 21st century. Society sometimes describes those of us who do as uneducated and perhaps even to be pitied.

While statistics indicates that many possess one or more Bibles, the number of those who read them as a manual for their lives is dwindling.

Many of those who will say they do not believe the Bible have neither read it nor studied it in order to make an intelligent decision on their own. They have succumbed to what is being taught in our public schools and universities by those who probably have not studied it either.

Here’s my challenge to those of you who are gambling that the Bible is not relative to your lives today. Take the time to read one book of the Bible, the book of Proverbs. Ask yourself if many of the principles of life recommended by King Solomon would not help you live a better life. Verse 7 of chapter 1 would be an excellent one to memorize: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

However, some Christians do just that. They accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and then at some point fail to continue to grow in their Christian life. Although they have the Holy Spirit to assist them in their spiritual growth, they become complacent in following His direction.

Christ said, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). It is important that we understand these words regarding the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. He will first bring Christ’s words to our attention and then cause us to retain them in our hearts and minds.

Our Attention
It is important to our spiritual growth that we know what Christ has said. The only way I know that this knowledge can be attained and brought to our attention is by spending time reading His Word. It is here that we learn (are taught) the words of Jesus. It is here we find the meaning of “the way” Jesus spoke of in John 14: 6. He has given us the Holy Spirit to help us obey His commands (John 14:21) and to grow in Him.

Our Retention
As we grow older, our ability to retain things that we once readily recalled seems to fail us. Yet God has seen fit to give us a Helper in this area. I am constantly amazed to hear stories of those with various stages of dementia who are faithfully witnessing to others as they recall and quote scripture.

God has promised that the Holy Spirit will remind us of His words (everything I have said) to help us as we seek to grow in our knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christ gave us His own example of this retention in Matt. 4:1-11.

Are you growing in your Christian life? God has provided you a Helper to assist you in doing so. He is available to all of us who seek to follow Christ’s teachings by teaching us all things and reminding us of what Christ has said.

John is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late

Why am I crying? you might ask. Did you lose a relative? Did some financial loss take you by surprise? Did your wife run off with someone else?

None of those things happened to make me cry. However, I did have to say goodbye to a very close companion—one from whom I have learned many lessons about my God and Master.

In fact, in my book, Its Never Too Late – A Prodigal Pastor Returns by WinePress Group (1-877-421-7323) I devoted an entire chapter to lessons I learned from this special friend that God gave to my wife Ruth and me for our 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Now after eight years he has left us, and I find myself praying, “God let there be a place in heaven for good and faithful friends like him. You even declared in your Word, ‘A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel’ (Proverbs 12:10).”

Yes, grown men do cry and sometimes it is for one of God’s other creations like our dog Elvis. I am not ashamed that I learned to cry over many things that come my way in this life on earth. How about you?

I have witnessed and researched enraged incidents of brethren vying for positions or embittered because the “proper” chain of command was not followed. I have heard speech that is less than gracious used by church leadership and excused by others who choose not to address the sin because of the one who committed the sin. And, I have experienced seemingly sincere corporate worship then watched the very same people almost come to blows at an after-service special call meeting.

Needless to say, I am not a fan of church business meetings.

Maybe it is the name we call it that causes the chaos and confusion. Just because there is a summit to discuss the non-spiritual business affairs of the church should not make the gathering any less concerned about being Christ-like (Colossians 3:23).

As a matter of fact, discussing and resolving these issues with grace and the wisdom of God is an expectation of those who have been placed as good stewards over all that has been given to us by God. So, to be clear, I am not dismissing the necessity of such meetings but I am outraged by the content and conduct of participants at some of these assemblies.

The church is not a business or an organization and should not be run as such. According to the Bible, the church is the body of Christ. It is an organized organism of all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Local churches are gatherings of members of the collective church. The local church is where the members of the collective church can fully apply the “body” principles of 1 Corinthians chapter 12: encouraging, teaching, and building one another up in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ even when we meet for the purpose of church business. Thus, these meetings are supposed to be another form of worship because all of life is worship for the Christian.

In Acts 1:15-26, we find a model of how to conduct a biblical business meeting. Pastor Robert J. Sergent of Bible Baptist Church in Oak Harbor, Washington summarizes this passage into seven key principles we should keep in mind as the blueprint for church meetings: 1) Pastoral Initiative (verse 15a); 2) Biblical Purpose (verse 16); 3) Pastoral Leadership (verses 21-22); 4) Qualified Proposals (verse 23); 5) Fervent Prayer (verse 24); 6) Congregational Decision (verse 26a); and, 7) Heavenly Ratification (verse 26b).

If we keep these precepts at the forefront of our renewed thinking, then our meetings would be less political, power-thirsty, and oppressive and more like the called out assembly Christ established.

My spirit grieves whenever the agenda of a church is more concerned about the unnecessary beautification or expansion of a temporal dwelling than helping others develop a passion for Christ. While we bicker over things that will wither like the grass, our children go off to college and do not return to our churches; new converts disappear before we know their names ; and, far too many sinners believe that their sins are too grievous to be forgiven by our Loving Father. Hence, we need to move on Christ’s Agenda and daily die to self (mortify our rights, demands, and will for Christ’s life to be lived through us) everyday in every situation including when we come to the table for the “meeting to be called to order” (I Corinthians 14:40).

Dountonia is BellaOnline’s Baptist Editor

The answer lies in understanding the true purpose of the church because once we commit to this key doctrine of ecclesiology then it will be possible to heal the wounds of a church split through repentance and humility. The Bible is clear that the church is the Body of Christ; an assembly that is called out of the world (ekklesia) for a divine purpose; ordained by God; an organism that is unified by the Holy Spirit and led by Christ. Acts 2:42 could be considered a purpose statement for the church: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” According to this verse, the purposes/activities of the church should be 1) teaching biblical doctrine, 2) providing a place of fellowship for believers, 3) observing the Lord’s Supper, and 4) praying.

As we do this, our focus must be on Christ especially if healing/restoration/wholeness is to be authentic. Therefore, expending time and energy on boasting because one’s side “won,” expecting an apology for hurtful words, dwelling on past mistakes or misjudgments, creating an atmosphere of paranoia, or refusing to forgive is the antithesis of the church’s purpose. The healing process must not ignore these important issues; but, the healing process must be about the denial of self-guided motives that are about the individual and not aimed at “the building up of the Body of Christ” (Ephesians 4: 12b). Everyone involved should confess the sins for which he/she committed that contributed to the chaos of confusion within God’s House even if the committed sin was silence or inaction in the face of injustice or false teachings. And, everyone should be submitted to the Holy Spirit enough to be able to reach out in love and humility to brothers and sisters in Christ whose view differed from their own.

The same dedication to prayer and devotion to study that was given to the removal of the spiritual cancer must be given to the recovery process as well. When a church is broken, the remnant is left in a state of grief, shock, dissociation, and distrust of the “other” side and the thought of future shepherds. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Believers need each other. And, we have nothing to fear during transitional times because Christ is with us fulfilling His purpose through us no matter what experiences we encounter individually or collectively.

When God allows us to go through various trials, they are meant to make us stronger (James 1:2-4). Those who are left after disruption in a church have the responsibility to glorify God by doing the uncomfortable/unnatural task of forgiving those who hurt us and asking for forgiveness from those we hurt. This must be done because we are Christ followers: “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:18-19). It is my sincere prayer that churches everywhere be about the business of fulfilling the purpose God intended for the church as we learn to love, forgive, and serve in the spirit of unity not in a spirit of lingering brokenness.

Dountonia is BellaOnline’s Baptist Editor

It always amazes me that so many people are counting on their goodness to gain them entrance into heaven and eternal life. Even though they admit that they are not perfect, they still hope that the good they do will out weight their shortcomings. Perhaps they are even waiting to get some messy part of their lives in order. However, the scriptures tell us that none of us can be good enough to merit entrance into heaven.

Romans 3:21-25 declares very plainly that all humanity has sinned and can only be redeemed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. I John 1:8-10 declares that if we claim we have no sin, we make God a liar.

The Good News is summed up in the words of Jesus Himself in Matthew 9:13a:“For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” The purpose of Jesus and His Father is recorded clearly in John 3:16-18. Their mission was “not to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

You must realize the futility of seeking eternal life by your own good works. Faith in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of your hope for eternal life. Once you have experienced this “new beginning” Christ in you will produce good works for His glory and not your own (Eph. 2:8-10).

No matter if your sins are many or few, little or big, or if you are young or old, it makes no difference. His open arms await you to ask for His grace, mercy and forgiveness. Even if our efforts to follow Him are still imperfect, His promise is to forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us (John 6:12).

This morning I read of Jesus preaching near a lake. It prompted a very sweet memory.

Several years ago, while on a business trip to Philly, I spent some time at the city art museum. The stairs leading up to one side of the building are the same stairs Sly Stallone ran in the movie Rocky. And so…yes, I admit, I attempted to run them. -attempted. There are many!

Anyhow. One painting stopped me dead in my tracks.

There it was, a muted, fuzzy sort of painting, as I recall. A misty lake scene. A tattered gray boat floating away from the shore. A gentle, white robed Jesus just out of the water. People flocking together. Flocking, mind you. Carrying sick loved ones or dragging themselves to Him because they had heard of His power to heal.

Dead in my tracks. The rest of the room faded into nothingness – muted like that painting.

And I sobbed -aloud. My tearful passion would have no part of staying inside of me. It had to escape from my lungs and heart. Sobs of praise and glory given to the One to whom people have flocked for centuries.

He is Healer. Do you know Him?

We invite you to comment below:

Did you ever wonder just why you are on this earth? I know I have. Since surviving a serious heart attack and having a 5-way bypass at the age of 77, while others much younger have passed away, it has really weighed on my mind.

Friends have sought to encourage me by saying, “God still has work for you to do.” But just what is that work? Then, as I studied the Scriptures, several things have been made clear to me.
First, God reinforced my conviction that there is a purpose for all of us—and He has laid it out in advance. Psalms 139:16 states “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Yes, the number of my days was established in God’s book, and there is unfinished work already recorded on His pages for me to do.

The question is: What is that work? In 2 Cor 1:3-4 Paul gives us a clue with these words: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Peter invites us to “Cast all your anxiety (care) on him because he cares for you” (I Peter 1:7). We are invited to do this, because it is only then that we receive and experience the comfort that is offered to us in all our tribulation. Once we experience that comfort, then we are prepared to comfort those who are in trouble—but not until.

Yes, each of us has experienced our own areas of tribulation—the loss of a loved one, the loss of earthly assets, the loss of a job or career, or the loss of our health—and has asked God “why?” Perhaps his answer is so that we may know the comfort that He alone can give in order that we may be able to comfort those in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God.

Sharing and comforting each other was an underlying theme in many of the writings of the apostles to the early church. These are still needed today. In Hebrews 3:13 we are admonished to “encourage one another daily.” In Hebrews 10 we are admonished to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, to keep meeting together—and all the more as we see the Day approaching. 1 Thes. 4:18 and 1Thes. 5:11  challenge the believers of the early church to “encourage each other” and to “build each other up.” This is Our Purpose.