| Spiritual Toolbox Reason |
“Religion is just another form of hype and brainwashing.” “I can’t believe that any “thinking”
person would believe in God.” I seem to evoke opinion sharing in people. I like talking to people
and often find myself talking to strangers while running errands or getting reacquainted with the
community. I gain great insight from talking with strangers. There is a misconception that
Christianity renders the ability to reason null and void. Critical thinking is the filter through which
followers of Jesus Christ clarify scripture, tradition, and experience. Reason is why we ask
questions, how we organize, and seek to know God in very practical and real ways.
Reason is the means by which we test all aspects of faith and practice. Reason is just plain
“street smarts” “common sense” or “sense enough to come in out of the rain if don’t want to get
wet.” According to Rebekah L. Miles, Wesley and the Quadrilateral, “Reason’s job is limited. It
is simply a tool necessary to process data from experience; it is never independent source of
data.” We recognize that Scripture is our primary source and that human knowledge is limited.
As followers of Jesus Christ we acknowledge that God’s knowledge is without limit and beyond
the scope of limited human reason. One cannot effectively analyze scripture, tradition, and
experience without using the “tool” of critical thinking or reason.
Call, write or e-mail me with your questions, comments, or stories about “REASON” or times
when your faith may have been challenged as incongruent with “critical thinking or reason.”
Blessings and Peace,
Pastor Monica
person would believe in God.” I seem to evoke opinion sharing in people. I like talking to people
and often find myself talking to strangers while running errands or getting reacquainted with the
community. I gain great insight from talking with strangers. There is a misconception that
Christianity renders the ability to reason null and void. Critical thinking is the filter through which
followers of Jesus Christ clarify scripture, tradition, and experience. Reason is why we ask
questions, how we organize, and seek to know God in very practical and real ways.
Reason is the means by which we test all aspects of faith and practice. Reason is just plain
“street smarts” “common sense” or “sense enough to come in out of the rain if don’t want to get
wet.” According to Rebekah L. Miles, Wesley and the Quadrilateral, “Reason’s job is limited. It
is simply a tool necessary to process data from experience; it is never independent source of
data.” We recognize that Scripture is our primary source and that human knowledge is limited.
As followers of Jesus Christ we acknowledge that God’s knowledge is without limit and beyond
the scope of limited human reason. One cannot effectively analyze scripture, tradition, and
experience without using the “tool” of critical thinking or reason.
Call, write or e-mail me with your questions, comments, or stories about “REASON” or times
when your faith may have been challenged as incongruent with “critical thinking or reason.”
Blessings and Peace,
Pastor Monica
B ld in Jesus Christ
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