How do you think like a Christian? I believe this is the main question this book is answering. The author says that there is a major divide when it comes to how we approach the very act of thinking. He mentions that Christianity is being secularized and degenerating into a pathetic version of itself or, more significantly, Christianity is actively being colonized and displaced by a different religious faith. He defines "thinking Christianly" as "thinking by Christians, about anything and everything in a consistent Christian way; in a manner that is shaped, directed, and restrained by the truth of God's Word and God's Spirit." He says there is either something outside of ourselves that we must take into account or there is not. The Christian mind is a mind that operates under the belief that there is something outside of ourselves that we must take into account. "Thinking in light of God's existence and his self-revelation is what it means to have a Christian mind".White, J. E. (2006). A mind for God.
In my life I believe thinking like a Christian is trying to see the world and the people in it, the way God sees us. The book describes it as seeing the world in a light of faith. As hard is it may seem sometimes, I try to view the world as a people who are broken. Before I get out of my car in the morning when I get to work, I pray to the lord that he would help me to react to each and every situation whether it be good or bad, the way he would react, I also pray that he would use me, and that people may see that a light that shines inside of me. I think that having a Christian mind is that of which, we decide that we are going to be loyal to God and his ways, and that others may see it in our actions. Our relationship with God is u...
... middle of paper ...
...ers and from the interaction others have had with the books we have read. In the book of Proverbs, the Bible speaks of our interaction with others as being akin to iron sharpening iron, on person sharpening another ( Proverbs 27:17). White, J. E. (2006). A mind for God.
In chapter five white talks about reflection, he describes it as giving thought to something to such a degree that it brings some kind of realization-an aha moment. Taking an idea and living with it until it is burned deep within. Christian reflection takes what is read, taught, suggested and announced, and brings it into light with a biblical worldview. This is thinking Christianly.White, J. E. (2006). A mind for God. Downers Grove
References
White, J. E. (2006). A mind for God. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Books.
Works Cited
White, J. E. (2006). A mind for God. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Books.
In the magic of the mind author Dr. Elizabeth loftus explains how a witness’s perception of an accident or crime is not always correct because people's memories are often imperfect. “Are we aware of our minds distortions of our past experiences? In most cases, the answer is no.” our minds can change the way we remember what we have seen or heard without realizing it uncertain witnesses “often identify the person who best matches recollection
In the reading by Richard Swinburne, he evaluates the mortality of the soul and its interaction with the human body. His position is best described as attributing the soul to a light bulb, and the brain to a functioning socket:
Cognitive science recognizes the specialness of the human mind and its abilities. In a similar way God created human beings with a distinctiveness from his other creations through our knowledge and understanding. Barrett points out that it is this very knowledge that tempted Eve into sinning against God. In Genesis chapter three we see Eve being promised the knowledge of good and evil, and in this temptation she ate from the tree. If knowledge was the reason for the separation of human kind from God then cognitive science could be more important to Christians than previously thought. Trying to understand why we do what we do or why we think the way we think could help us better understand human nature (Barrett, 2011, p. 4). If we begin to understand human nature we may then begin to understand the innate reasons of our own
One focal point in this book is to discuss “integrative approaches in a well-conceived Christian world view” (p.63), with concentration on the history of psychology, the relationship of faith and science, and controversial matters in science and psychology. He states “in many ways the foundations of science were paved in part by a Christian world view that allowed for the universe to be seen as an orderly place in which laws could describe the regularities found within it, based on the premise that the world was created by a powerful, rational, and personal Being” (p. 33). The book introduces the assorted integration models, the five paradigms, or ways of relating psychology to Christianity. The first one being enemy paradigm, meaning psychology and Christianity cannot be integrated in any way, “the belief that ps...
The Christian faith focuses on the orientation of the human heart behind human thoughts and actions. Living by faith is a beautiful alternative to the way people think of themselves and the way they live in relation to others in their daily lives (Merrick, 2014). Christians see themselves in terms of God’s profound love for them but not in terms of what they do. The teachings of the Christian faith; nonviolence, non-retaliation, inward integrity, selflessness, and love your neighbor as yourself provide the framework for ethical thinking. Although, adopting belief in Christianity can bring forth confusion in the heart and mind causing agony of learning to sacrifice one’s rightful claims for personal justice for the restoration of another (Merrick, 2014). Unconditional forgiveness is difficult to understand because spiritual forgiveness and actual costly forgiveness is viewed as the same in the gospel. If you do not forgive, then one does not have faith in God’s forgiveness as it really is. Christianity influences a person thinking and behavior developing wisdom which requires faith. The faith that is needed to reorient the heart away from selfishness to selflessness.
Christianity is considered “two religious”, which contains “head” and “heart” (Tallon, 113). “Head” is relate to cool and rational practices of Christianity, and “heart” is the “warm and emotional” practices. Apollo, the god of reason, represents “form, structure, rational thoughts”, and Dionysian represents “enthusiasm and ectasy”(Tallon,114). Christain’s thoughts varied because they have different approaches to Christianity. Some people would interact with Christianity by having in rational ways, such as watching a sculpture of Jesus since it takes serious thinking to build a formal image of Jesus. Some people interact with Christianity by emotional approaches, for example, some christians would sing psalms which appeals to instinctive chaotic emotions. The emotions in Christianity plays an “interactive” role because it allows christians communicate with each other.
In the essay "Worldviews in Conflict," Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey compare and contrast the ideas of Christianity and the views of today's society. Throughout the essay, they provide information about how the changes in society affect views regarding Christianity. Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcy's essay was written to contribute information so others could understand their views about the shifting cultural context and how it affects society's beliefs. The authors Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey's essay is credible because they both have knowledge and experience regarding the topic and researched various parts of the topic using reliable sources. Along with this essay, Charles Colson has written thirty books which have received much praise among the Christian community.
What being Christian means is being nice and respectful of others, not drinking and not over-indulging into sensations. O’Connor wants to paint a picture of Christianity to the audience
There are several aspects to consider when exploring the Christian worldview. There are many facets or denominations and they each have their own distinct beliefs and practices, but they all share the same fundamental beliefs. In this Paper we will explore the character of God, His creation, humanity and its nature, Jesus’ significance to the world, and the restoration of humanity, as well as my beliefs and the way that I interact with Christianity and my personal worldview.
In the construction of the Large Hardon Collider, physicists seek and hope to unlock the mysteries of the universe by analyzing the attributes of the most miniscule particles known to man. In the same way, theologians have argued back and forth over the course of human history with regards to the divine attributes of God, seeking and hoping to unlock the mysteries of the metaphysical universe. Although these many attributes, for example omnipresence, could be debated and dissected ad nauseum, it is within the scope of this research paper to focus but on one of them. Of these many divine attributes of God, nothing strikes me as more intriguing than that of God’s omnipotence. It is intriguing to me because the exploration of this subject not only promises an exhilarating exercise in the human faculties of logic, it also offers an explanation into the practical, such as that of the existence of evil, which we live amidst every day. So with both of these elements in hand, I am going to take on the task of digging deeper into the divine attribute of omnipotence in hopes of revealing more of the glory of God, and simultaneously bringing greater humility to the human thinker. In order to gain a better understanding on the subject of divine omnipotence, I am going to analyze four aspects of it. First, I am going to build a working definition of what we mean when we say that God is omnipotent. Second, I am going to discuss the relationship between divine omnipotence and logic. Third, I am going to discuss the relationship between God’s omnipotence and God’s timelessness. Last, I am going to analyze God’s omnipotence in relation to the existence of evil in the world. Through the analysis of these four topics in relation to om...
Reflection is a key element of the human learning process. It can be used to justify aspects of practice and legitimise the knowledge gained from it, as opposed to traditional forms of learning.
“The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival” (Aristotle, n.d.) Reflection is a process that begins with looking back on a situation, thinking about it, learning from it and then using the new knowledge to help you in similar situations in the future. We need to evaluate through reflection to determine whether change is needed. We can then decide what action is needed and what we should do the next time we are faced with a similar situation. It might not necessarily be something you have done wrong, it may well be you were happy with the outcome of a situation you had some input into and would do again.
Sire, J. W. (2000). Habits of the mind: Intellectual life as a Christian calling. IL: InterVarsity Press.
Kerr, H. (1990). Readings in christian thought (2nd ed.). H. T. Kerr (Ed.). Nashville: Abingdon Press.
Reflection is a key part of our personal development plan that is significant from both academic and employment perspectives. It investigates and someway measures our present level of skills and knowledge by looking back to reflect our latest performance and monitoring future improvements (Gallagher K., 2013, p. 23-24).