Renewing the Christian Mind in a Confused World

 

Summary

Understanding the Christian mind is essential for living a faithful Christian life. Our faithfulness begins with knowledge, as our thoughts shape who we are. In today's world, confusion abounds, and it is crucial for Christians to think differently from the secular mind. This requires an autopsy of the secular mind to understand why people think as they do and why Christians must think differently. The book "The Lifespan of a Fact" illustrates the confusion of our age, where truth is often seen as an abstraction or personal preference rather than an objective reality.

David Bebbington's definition of evangelicalism includes Biblicism, conversionism, crucicentricism, and activism, but notably absent is the distinctiveness of evangelical thinking. Christians are called to renew their minds, as the Holy Spirit and the Word of God transform us. Without a foundation of thinking, our activism can become disconnected from the gospel. Therefore, Christians must think about thinking, a second-order discipline that requires intentionality and intellectual energy.

The intellectual crisis in the Western world is monumental, with significant shifts in worldview. Many people are uncertain about the possibility of truly knowing anything, and knowledge is often seen as a political statement. This crisis can be traced back to the Enlightenment, which shifted human thought. We are now in a postmodern crisis, where knowledge is often seen as socially constructed rather than objective.

Romans 1:18-32 provides insight into the epistemological crisis, revealing that the suppression of truth in unrighteousness is a universal human condition. The fall brought about a massive change in human thinking, leading to a conspiracy to suppress the truth. This crisis is not new but ancient, and it resides in the mind. Christians are called to epistemological faithfulness, understanding the difference between right thinking and the false patterns of thinking that hold minds captive.

The noetic effects of the fall have corrupted our thinking, leading to ignorance, distractedness, forgetfulness, prejudice, faulty perspective, intellectual fatigue, inconsistencies, failure to draw the right conclusion, intellectual apathy, dogmatism, intellectual pride, vain imagination, miscommunication, and partial knowledge. Despite these effects, Christians are called to think differently, grounded in the truth of the gospel and the revelation of God.

Key Takeaways:

- The Christian mind is essential for living a faithful life, as our thoughts shape our actions and identity. Understanding the secular mind helps us recognize the need for distinct Christian thinking, rooted in the truth of the gospel. [01:29]

- The intellectual crisis in the Western world is marked by uncertainty about knowledge and truth. This crisis can be traced back to the Enlightenment, which shifted human thought, leading to a postmodern crisis where knowledge is often seen as socially constructed. [09:16]

- Romans 1:18-32 reveals the universal human condition of suppressing truth in unrighteousness. The fall brought about a massive change in human thinking, leading to a conspiracy to suppress the truth. Christians are called to epistemological faithfulness, understanding the difference between right thinking and false patterns of thinking. [15:33]

- The noetic effects of the fall have corrupted our thinking, leading to various intellectual sins such as ignorance, distractedness, and prejudice. Despite these effects, Christians are called to think differently, grounded in the truth of the gospel and the revelation of God. [31:19]

- Christians are called to an intellectual discipleship, developing a Christian worldview that is faithful to the gospel. Our faithfulness requires intellectual faithfulness, and the glory of God demands it. By the grace of God, we are called to think like Christians, bringing Him the greatest glory. [01:01:31]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:24] - The Importance of the Christian Mind
[01:04] - Autopsy of the Secular Mind
[01:29] - Confusion in Our Age
[03:06] - The Lifespan of a Fact
[05:11] - Bebbington's Definition of Evangelicalism
[06:08] - Thinking and Action
[08:06] - Intellectual Crisis in the Western World
[09:16] - Knowledge Emergency
[11:02] - Romans 1:18-32
[13:30] - Universal Human Sinfulness
[15:33] - Suppression of Truth
[17:16] - The Fall and Human Confusion
[20:29] - The Real Crisis of Knowledge
[21:38] - Natural Revelation
[23:17] - The Imago Dei
[25:46] - Futility in Thinking
[27:23] - Idolatry and Intellectual Unfaithfulness
[29:24] - The Fall and Knowledge Crisis
[31:19] - Noetic Effects of the Fall
[35:27] - The Unregenerate Mind
[47:00] - Thinking Differently as Christians
[50:24] - Precepts of the Modern Mind
[55:35] - Conditions of Belief
[58:28] - Understanding Unregenerate Thinking
[01:01:31] - Intellectual Discipleship and Faithfulness
[01:02:31] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 1:18-32

Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 1:18-32 reveal about the universal human condition regarding truth and unrighteousness? How does this passage describe the consequences of suppressing the truth? [11:02]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the noetic effects of the fall that have impacted human thinking? [31:19]
3. How does the sermon describe the intellectual crisis in the Western world, and what historical event is it traced back to? [09:16]
4. What is the significance of the phrase "God gave them up" in Romans 1, and how does it relate to the consequences of the fall? [27:23]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest Christians should respond to the intellectual crisis described in Romans 1:18-32? What does it mean to be epistemologically faithful? [15:33]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the noetic effects of the fall manifest in our daily lives, and how can Christians counteract these effects? [31:19]
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of thinking differently as Christians, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this transformation? [47:00]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between knowledge and faithfulness in the Christian life? How does this relate to the concept of intellectual discipleship? [01:01:31]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own thought patterns. Are there areas where you recognize the noetic effects of the fall, such as prejudice or intellectual apathy? How can you address these in your life? [31:19]
2. The sermon emphasizes the need for Christians to think differently from the secular world. What are some practical steps you can take to renew your mind and align your thinking with the gospel? [47:00]
3. Consider the intellectual crisis described in the sermon. How can you engage with the world around you in a way that communicates the truth of the gospel effectively? [09:16]
4. The sermon calls for intellectual discipleship. What specific actions can you take to deepen your understanding of the Christian faith and develop a Christian worldview? [01:01:31]
5. How can you cultivate a habit of thinking about thinking, as suggested in the sermon, to ensure that your actions are grounded in the truth of the gospel? [06:29]
6. In what ways can you support others in your community to think critically and biblically about the issues facing the world today? [45:05]
7. Reflect on the concept of epistemological faithfulness. How can you ensure that your pursuit of knowledge is aligned with your faith and brings glory to God? [15:33]

Devotional

Day 1: The Christian Mind Shapes Our Identity
Understanding the Christian mind is essential for living a faithful life. Our thoughts shape our actions and identity, and recognizing the need for distinct Christian thinking is crucial. In a world filled with confusion, Christians are called to think differently, rooted in the truth of the gospel. This involves an intentional effort to renew our minds, allowing the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to transform us. By doing so, we align our thoughts with God's truth, which in turn shapes our actions and identity. [01:29]

"For as he thinks within himself, so he is. 'Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." (Proverbs 23:7, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally renew your mind today to align more closely with the truth of the gospel?


Day 2: The Crisis of Knowledge and Truth
The intellectual crisis in the Western world is marked by uncertainty about knowledge and truth. This crisis can be traced back to the Enlightenment, which shifted human thought, leading to a postmodern crisis where knowledge is often seen as socially constructed. In this context, Christians are called to stand firm in the objective truth of the gospel, resisting the temptation to view truth as a mere abstraction or personal preference. By grounding ourselves in the truth of God's Word, we can navigate the confusion of our age with clarity and conviction. [09:16]

"For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness.'" (1 Corinthians 3:19, ESV)

Reflection: How can you discern and stand firm in the objective truth of the gospel amidst the confusion of today's world?


Day 3: Suppression of Truth and Epistemological Faithfulness
Romans 1:18-32 reveals the universal human condition of suppressing truth in unrighteousness. The fall brought about a massive change in human thinking, leading to a conspiracy to suppress the truth. Christians are called to epistemological faithfulness, understanding the difference between right thinking and false patterns of thinking. By recognizing the noetic effects of the fall, we can strive to align our thoughts with God's truth, resisting the temptation to suppress or distort it. [15:33]

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:21, ESV)

Reflection: What false patterns of thinking do you need to address in your life to align more closely with God's truth?


Day 4: Overcoming the Noetic Effects of the Fall
The noetic effects of the fall have corrupted our thinking, leading to various intellectual sins such as ignorance, distractedness, and prejudice. Despite these effects, Christians are called to think differently, grounded in the truth of the gospel and the revelation of God. By relying on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we can overcome these intellectual barriers and develop a Christian worldview that is faithful to the gospel. [31:19]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What specific intellectual barriers do you need to overcome to develop a more faithful Christian worldview?


Day 5: Intellectual Discipleship and Faithfulness
Christians are called to an intellectual discipleship, developing a Christian worldview that is faithful to the gospel. Our faithfulness requires intellectual faithfulness, and the glory of God demands it. By the grace of God, we are called to think like Christians, bringing Him the greatest glory. This involves a commitment to intentional and disciplined thinking, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in understanding and applying God's truth in every aspect of our lives. [01:01:31]

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you commit to intellectual discipleship in your daily life, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions?

Quotes


It is my intention tonight to try to do an autopsy of sorts on the secular mind, in order to understand why people think as they think and why we as Christians must think quite differently. Some of you may have noted that there is confusion all around us. [00:01:17]

Christ’s people are to be ever renewing the mind or active in the task of renewing the mind, as the Holy Spirit and the Word of God renew the mind, for as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. There is a necessary distinction between thinking and action. [00:06:02]

Our faithfulness depends upon our thinking faithfully. Those who have come to know salvation through Jesus Christ, who by God’s grace have been united with Christ and who seek to be faithful to the gospel, understand the difference between the before and after, that is before conversion and after conversion. [00:07:48]

We face an intellectual crisis in the Western world, and it’s a crisis of monumental proportions. Given the pace of change in our age, anyone with the slightest intellectual perception can detect very significant intellectual shifts in the world and in the worldview around us. [00:08:54]

Romans 1, verses 18 through 32, will serve us well in thinking about the epistemological crisis, the crisis of thinking and knowing. And I invite you to turn with me to Romans, chapter 1, where we will read verses 18 through 32 together. [00:10:55]

Paul explains that the great epistemological crisis is not as new and recent as we might think in our modern conceit. The knowledge crisis is ancient. Epistemology is the formal word for the study of how one knows. [00:14:12]

We have been called as Christians to an epistemological faithfulness, and in order to understand the world around us, we have to see the different patterns of epistemological unfaithfulness. We have to compare the right thinking to which the Christian is called. [00:14:50]

The great epistemological crisis goes back to Genesis 3, to the fall. The consequences of the fall on our thinking have been nothing less than devastating. We often think as evangelical Christians about the effects of the fall and what we can notice in terms of human behavior. [00:30:24]

Theologically this problem is referred to as the noetic consequences of the fall. Now, noetic refers to knowledge. These are the noetic, N-O-E-T-I-C, effects of the fall. Now, I told you this was a great homiletical challenge after dinner. [00:31:09]

We think as regenerate believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, insofar as we think faithfully, in ways that are distinctly different than the world around us, not because we are wiser than the world, – Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians, chapter 1 – not because we are even morally superior to the world. [00:46:35]

Thinking, by the way, has to be the last word here because the most important thing we can gain from all of this is the reminder that as Christians we are called to an intellectual discipleship. It’s not just that we are called to develop a Christian worldview. [01:01:21]

It’s because we genuinely believe as we’re taught by Scripture that our faithfulness requires an intellectual faithfulness, and that the glory of God demands it. And the justice and mercy of God demand it. And the grace of God supplies it in the revelation He gives us in Scripture. [01:01:48]

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Transcript
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