VII. Thoughtful Christians Emphasize Reading and the Place of Cultural Engagement
Thoughtful Christians will learn to draw upon Scripture, the pattern of Christian truth, and the Christian intellectual tradition in order to provide a framework to engage the ideas and issues of the day. An important aspect of one’s development in these areas involves reading well, wisely, and widely. Reading helps to prepare our minds not simply to understand the ideas of the world but to engage these ideas as well. We learn to read well, to joyously find the good, the true, and the beautiful, recognizing that God is the source of all of these gifts. Such a perspective seems to be consistent with the practice of the Apostle Paul, who from his Roman prison cell reminded Timothy to “bring…my scrolls, especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13) as well as to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Similarly, as Bruce Lockerbie has shown, there has been “a passion for learning,” a passion for reading, among the significant Christian thinkers and leaders through the centuries from which we can learn and on which we can build.86 Reading is the foundation for intellectual development, the shaping of thoughtful Christians.
Reading allows us to understand and interpret the events and issues of our day, considering these things in light of God’s purposes for the world. Susan Wise Bauer, in her important work, The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had provides direction to help us learn to read interpretively, and not just for gathering information, noting that wrestling with important issues marks us forever.87 C.S. Lewis reminds us of the value and importance of making good choices when we read, making a strong case for reading older books.88 Mortimer Adler has written the classic, must-read book that describes the dimensions, approaches, and goals for reading.89 As we have previously noted, the foundation for any reading program for thoughtful Christians is the Bible.90 We recognize that these things are not just suggestions or theories, but shaping elements for an all-consuming way of life, applicable to all spheres of life.
James Orr, in The Christian View of God and the World, maintains that there is a definite Christian view of things that has a character, and unity of its own, and stands in sharp contrast with counter theories and speculation offered by those opposed to biblical revelation.91 Christian thinking has the stamp of reason and reality which can stand the tests of both history and experience. Such a holistic approach offers a stability of thought, a unity of comprehensive insight that bears not only on the theological sphere but on the whole of thought that shapes theology, natural and social sciences, law, history, healthcare, the arts, the humanities, business, education, and all aspects of life. 92
While many other important examples could be offered, including matters of race, poverty, economics, healthcare, violence, bioethical issues, and so many more, we will propose six particular examples that have relevance for contemporary Christians, pointing in directions for thoughtful Christians to consider at greater length.
1. Sexuality
Sexuality has become a major topic in the Western world over the past fifty years, and particularly during this new century. “Much confusion exists regarding this topic among Christians and non-Christians. Sexuality is a good gift to be expressed in the lifelong covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. Outside this mutual self-giving covenant of marriage both heterosexual and homosexual relations are sinful and have distorted meaning, a self-serving purpose, and negative consequences.93
2. Environmental Concerns
Another pressing issue of our day is the focus on environmental concerns. Environmental stewardship means we have a responsibility to the nonhuman aspect of God’s creation. Since God’s plan of redemption includes his earthly creation as well as humans (see Romans 8:18–27), we should do all we can to live in it carefully, responsibly, and lovingly.94
3. Arts and Recreation
A third area important in our culture includes the arts and recreation. The arts and recreation are significant parts of human creativity and community. We need to develop critical skills of analysis and evaluation so that we are informed, intentional, and reflective about what we create, see, and do.95
5. Science
For almost two centuries science has been at the forefront of our modern world. We must explore how scientific issues should be addressed. An understanding of God and his creation includes the knowledge we gain through scientific investigation. With the lens of faith in place, a picture of God’s world emerges where science and faith can be viewed in a complementary fashion.96
5. Technology
Technology can become either an instrument through which we fulfill our role as God’s stewards or an object of worship that will eventually rule us. Christian thinking provides balance and insight for understanding this critical aspect of the twenty-first century.97
6. Work
Important for any culture is an understanding of work. Work is a gift from God and is to be pursued with excellence for God’s glory, thus connecting Sunday to Monday becomes an important priority for thoughtful Christians. We recognize that all honest professions are honorable; that the gifts and abilities we have for our vocation, our calling, come from God; and that prosperity and promotions are gifts of God’s grace and favor.98
VIII. Thoughtful Christians Underscore the Importance of Faithful Christian Living and Character Formation
To the extent we succeed in putting these important tenets into practice, we will begin to see the holistic development of the intellectual, spiritual, moral, and character formation among thoughtful Christians.99 At the heart of this development is the belief that God has revealed himself in creation, in history, in our conscience, and ultimately in Christ, and that this revelation is now primarily available to us in Holy Scripture. This revealed truth is the foundation of all we believe, teach, and do. We have observed that this God-revealed truth provides the framework for understanding and interpreting our world, the events of human history, as well as our responsibilities toward God and one another in this world, helping us know how to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength.100
We believe that a person who thinks deeply about the things of God and applies these truths wisely will be equipped to live well in relation to others in the world, preparing Christians for thoughtful ethical and moral reflection. We also recognize that the fullest embodiment of good, love, holiness, grace, and truth is found in Jesus Christ (John 1:14–18). As Robert Saucy insightfully reminds us, right thinking, as important as it may be, is not all there is to the Christian faith, we must also “mind the heart.”101
Thoughtful Christians will seek to initiate spiritual transformation through the renewing of minds (Romans 12:2) and the doing of the Word (James 1:22). We are to love our neighbor and care for orphans and widows (James 1:27). We are to be agents of reconciliation in the church and in society, building bridges where there are walls, particularly with reference to the racial divide that has haunted America since its inception (See Ephesians 2:11–18).102
This is what it means to love our neighbor, to be doers of the Word.103 We are normally hearers of the Word, thinkers about and students of the Word, but doing the Word puts a different shape on what it means for us to apply Christian teaching to all aspects of life.104 Reflective Christian thinking therefore points to ethics. Certainly it is possible to act one way and to think another, but it is not possible to do so for long (Proverbs 23:7). Since one of the goals for helping Christ-followers who become thoughtful Christians involves helping them live with a lifestyle that issues in glory to God, then we must think—and think deeply—not only of personal ethics, but also of the implications of the biblical faith for social, economic, and political ethics.
We need to seek God’s guidance in how we can best contribute to constructive exercises that will help us honor, respect, and love one another. We want to model the love and forgiveness of Christ in relationships, in the home, in church, and in the marketplace. We desire to be quick to offer forgiveness when we have been wronged. At the same time we want to claim responsibility and seek forgiveness when we have wronged others. We will ask God to help us become agents of reconciliation to a broken and hurting world, which remains in dysfunctional disorder as a result of the entrance of sin into the world. We trust that God will give us grace to be agents of redemption in this broken world and to embrace one another regardless of national, ethnic, or racial background.
Thoughtful Christians (thinking Christians) should also be thoughtful Christians (kind and considerate Christians). Humility, gentleness, love, and kindness are virtues of thoughtful believers. We are to speak in ways that are helpful in building up others. In our actions we are to be kind and loving, reflecting the character of God who has forgiven us in Christ (Ephesians 4:32), resulting in lives that encourage harmony in relationships and sensitivity to the needs of others.
On this foundation can be built authentic Christian communities characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).105 Divine love issues in interpersonal love, influencing even the most basic elements of life.106 If we do not show love to one another the world will question the truth claims and authenticity of the Christian faith. Thoughtful Christians need to be convictional, but also civil and conciliatory at the same time. Ultimately the love and grace that has been lavished upon us will lead us to lives of dependence on God and thoughtfulness toward others. With wisdom, humility, and hope, let us recognize that the calling to be faithful and thoughtful Christians involves being ready to provide an answer for the hope that is ours through Jesus Christ the Lord (1 Peter 3:15).107