Y’all Means All // From the Head to the Heart

We end our Y’all Means All series by answering this quesiton: Can faith and critical thinking coexist? If we read our bible through a critical lens, doesn’t that mean we’re criticizing the bible? In this weeks sermon Pastor Nicole takes us through the importance of critical thinking in faith! We’ll take a look at how engaging our minds is essential to deepening our understanding of Jesus, and living out our beliefs in meaningful ways.

Exercise your thinking muscles with Wordle!

Critical thinking and the Bible?

A lot of times in faith, thinking critical in any matter is called blasphemous or irreverent. But, the deeper we explore the teachings of Jesus, we see his call to engage our minds fully. So, when he tells us to love God with all our heart, soul, MIND, and strength (Mark 12:31-31), he’s telling us even our intellect needs to engage with our belief system. Jesus, himself, modeled this by challenging religious leaders, interpreting the law with a fresh and inclusive insight, and pushing people to think deeply about their beliefs.

Acts 17

We see Paul following Jesus’ example when he engages with the intellectual elites of Athens. He didn’t shy away from their questions or doubts. And, he didn’t dismiss their beliefs. Instead, he used reason and logic to present the gospel, showing that faith and reasoning can (and should) go hand in hand. Paul’s approach is a powerful example of how critical thinking can help us connect to others, build bridges. Thus, being able to present the inclusive, grace-filled, loving message of Jesus.

At Refuge, we encourage everyone to engage their minds fully. Explore the depths of scripture. Embrace, explore, and restore your faith in meaningful and thought-filled ways.