Some Scriptural Considerations
Continuing what my father started in the previous article, I would like to look at some scriptures that are directly relevant to the task of honoring God with the way that we think and see how these apply to the three areas of concern of this website: theology, apologetics, and current issues.
Loving God by Thinking (of Him)
Perhaps the most important verse for the Christian intellectual, and the one from which this site draws its namesake, is Matthew 22:37. A lawyer from among the Pharisees, attempting to test Jesus, asks him which biblical command is the greatest. Jesus' answer: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all all your mind." There is no lack of Christian emphasis on the first two parts of the command, but sorrowfully little emphasis on the importance of loving God with one's mind. But this is not optional. It is part of the greatest commandment
"Well," it may be asked, "exactly how does one love God with one's mind?" First of all, by using it well. Man alone of all creation is created in God's image, and one of the principle ways that we seem to be created in His image is in our ability to reason. Whenever we use this ability in accordance with excellence, we are reflecting a part of God and I believe that he is glorified in this. This is one reason that the Christian should seek to use his intellect in a consistent and correct way.
In a more specific way, the Christian can love God with all his mind by thinking true thoughts about the "God of truth" (Ps. 31:5). This is done by applying the intellect to what God has revealed about Himself in His Word, and trying to synthesize this sometimes complex revelation into an internally consistent whole. This can be difficult, and there is room for disagreement on many issues, but our zeal in this task should not be diminished by such difficulties, although humility is always called for.
Another verse that shows the importance of sound theology and refutes the modern church's emotion-centered focus is Romans 10:2. In it, Paul testifies that although the Jews "have a zeal for God, [it is] not in accordance with knowledge." Paul's point is that although the Jews had a zeal for the things of God and sought to please Him, this zeal did not match up to the truth about God. If they would have known the truth, they would not have sought to please Him and gain salvation through their good works, but would have come to Him in faith. Paul is not faulting them for their zeal however, simply for their lack of knowledge. The Christian, therefore, should also be full of zeal, but do his best to make sure this zeal is in accordance with knowledge.
When Asked, Apologize
The word apologetics comes from the greek apologia, which means a defense. Christians are called in 1 Peter 3:15 to "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you." The word here connotates a defense of the type given in a courtroom, one which is reasoned and based on evidence. This verse is easy to skip over, but it is important to think of the implications of Peter's statement. In a world that is today dominated by secularism and scientific and philosophical attacks on the faith, Christians are commanded to always be ready to stand up in defense of what they believe. It doesn't take long to realize what a task this is. It may even seem overwhelming. And no one said is would be easy, but it is worth it. A Christian must simply take some time to become familiar with and study the issues so that he may be confident and courageous when it comes time to answer the questions of others. Studying apologetics is truly one of the most rewarding things a Christian can do. In addition to following Biblical command and glorifying God in the use of his mind, the student of apologetics gains confidence in his faith as he sees how well it explains and gives meaning to the world around him, and becomes much more effective in evangelism since he is able to answer questions that may be stumbling blocks for future believers.
What it Means to be Salt
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus tells his disciples that they are the salt of the earth. The Jamieson, Fausset, Brown commentary has this to say in introduction to this verse: "Ye are the salt of the earth--to preserve it from corruption, to season its insipidity, to freshen and sweeten it. The value of salt for these purposes is abundantly referred to by classical writers as well as in Scripture." The Christian acts as salt, then, by flavoring the earth with righteousness and helping to prevent the moral decay of those around him. Christians are also commanded in Proverbs to "Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy." These two verses show that the Christian is not to be content to sit in a corner by himself or with other Christians - he is to have an impact in his society by standing for righteousness. How are Christians to do this? Principally, I believe, by living lives of integrity and love for others, but at least in some degree also by trying to directly influence for good the governments which rule over them. This was much harder for the early Christians who were ruled mostly by dictators (although they eventually did greatly affect these rulers), but for us modern Christians it is much easier. This is because we (at least those who live in democracies) have the ability, and I would say the duty, to have direct input in the types of leaders that govern us and the laws that they enforce. We are told by Paul in Romans that God establishes all authorities and that we are responsible to submit to them. But part of submission in a democratic country is participation - the government cannot work without such participation and calls on all its citizens to play a part in its policies. We see then that Christians have a duty to vote and elect leaders who will help preserve the country's moral integrity, and stand up for what is right in the public arena. This is where thinking becomes important. The fact is that too many Christians try to argue for morality by quoting Scriptures, which just won't work with a group of people in which the majority don't accept the Bible's authority. Christians should learn from Jesus' response to the Sadducees about the resurrection (Matt. 22:23, 31-32) that the best way to convince someone of something is to appeal to intuitions and authority that are trusted by both sides. Hence Christians who wish to see improved legislation against abortion or homosexual marriage or any other moral issue must learn what the sciences have to say and how this relates to the moral law written on the heart of every man.
In Conlusion
Hopefully this article has increased your desire to serve Christ in every aspect of your life by using your mind, and using it well. This is no easy task, but it is a rewarding one, and when this is done, not only is God glorified, but Christians can have a genuine and lasting impact in the lives of individuals and in society as a whole.