The thinking Christian

Casting down arguments and . . . bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. — 2 Corinthians 10:5

David McCullough’s biography of John Adams, one of America’s founding fathers and early presidents, describes him as “both a devout Christian and an independent thinker, and he saw no conflict in that.” I am struck by that statement, for it carries a note of surprise, suggesting that Christians are somehow naïve or unenlightened, and that the idea of a “thinking Christian” is a contradiction.

Nothing could be further from the truth. One of the great benefits of salvation is that it causes the believer’s mind to be guarded by the peace of God (Phil. 4:7), which can foster clear thinking, discernment, and wisdom. Paul described this in his second letter to Corinth when he wrote that in Christ we are equipped for “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

To sift through an argument wisely, to embrace the clarity of the knowledge of God, and to align our thinking with the mind of Christ are valuable skills when living in a world lacking in discernment. These skills enable us to use our minds to represent Christ. Every Christian should be a thinking Christian. Are you? — Bill Crowder

If you grasp the message of God’s Word,

If you’ve learned to think things through;

Then you can defend the Christian faith

With wise words both clear and true. — Branon

READ: 2 Cor. 10:1-11

Faith was never intended as a substitute for intelligence.

The Bible in one year:

• Proverbs 27-29

• 2 Corinthians 10