In Your Mind Matters, John Stott discusses the practical relevance of pursuing a Christian mind.
1. Worship
Christians do not worship ‘the unknown god’ (Acts 17:23). They are to worship God ‘in truth’ (Jn 4:24). We are to praise his ‘name’, implying that we are to know and understand his true being and character. Rational enquiry is found throughough the Psalms: including the study of God’s works in nature (Psa 104) and in history (Psa 77).…
Some Christians are suspicious of an ‘intellectual’ approach to their faith. If by that they mean ‘merely intellectual’, then of course that would a terrible thing, and would tend to undermine, rather than build up, the true knowledge, love and service of God.
But we are called to worship God with our whole selves, and that includes our minds.
In Your Mind Matters, John Stott sets out four reasons why Christians should use their minds. …
Corinth was a well-known intellectual centre. It was a cosmopolitan place, and many travelling teachers passed through. They sold wisdom, and charged big fees for it.
The gospel is not what the world would regard as wisdom. Rather, it is foolishness. Yet is is through the ‘folly’ of the cross that God has wrought salvation. There is indeed a true wisdom, but the Corinthians are still relying on the false wisdom of this world, 1 Cor 1:18-19 2:6 3:1.…
It would be easy to moan about the negative impact that television has had on our ability to think.
So here goes.
Despite the impact of computer technology, television continues the shape the way people think, feel and behave. And in some ways the impact of TV may be greater even than schools, families and churches.
Many people get their news, and have their opinions moulded by, television (rather than by books and newspapers).
This creates a peculiar climate for Christian apologetics. …
We spend much of our time, energy and other resources on play, leisure and recreation, and yet rarely reflect Christianly on such things.
Arthur Holmes has some insightful thoughts on the subject of play:-
…‘Play is customarily seen as nonproductive activity. This is not strictly correct, for play can be economically productive for professionals, quiz-show participants, and many others. The intent of the definition is that the purpose of play is not to be found in elements extrinsic to the activity, as supposedly with work, but is to be found in the activity itself and its enjoyment.
It was Galileo who said, ‘I do not feel obliged to believe that that same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forego their use.’
And A.W. Tozer reminds us, ‘the mind is good – God put it there. He gave us our heads and it was not his intention that our heads would function just as a place to hang a hat.’
But the mind is apt to be neglected by well-meaning Christians.…
