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<\/a><\/p>\nSo as I read Critical Thinking, Paul and Elder brought to light something I need to be aware of in working through my dissertation.\u00a0 In their discussion of Essential Intellectual Traits they compare and contrast from and intellectual standpoint.\u00a0 How does one have humility in intellect?\u00a0 You have to understand you do not know everything.\u00a0 Being a courageous intellect involves being able to question what you know.\u00a0 Empathy means seeing things from another persons point of view. [1]\u00a0 \u00a0 In looking for the answers to my questions of how to change the DNA of a church, I have to be willing to question everything I was taught in seminary, and to a certain extent question those who have been a part of my growth as a pastor.<\/p>\n
In saying all this, I did feel as though I was reading a mini manifesto of being told how to think and I am always wary of this.\u00a0 In fact, although there are groups of people who consider themselves critical thinkers, I seem to see just the opposite in whatever debate I wander into.\u00a0 For example in an article I read today the headline is as follows:\u00a0Millennials: Communism Sounds Pretty Chill<\/em>.\u00a0 It is a fairly brief article but it discusses a survey conducted by Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation that found 71% of millennials have a favorable view of socialism and communism and the dangers perceived by the author.\u00a0 What really interested me was the discussion board at the bottom of the article.\u00a0 It was riddled with comments on the perceived ignorance of seeing someone such as Kim Jong Un as a hero and the just as ugly comments back from the other side deriding any knowledge of anything.[2]\u00a0 I would venture both sides of this particular argument would consider themselves a critical thinker but both probably are not if the posts are any indication.\u00a0 I see the same attitudes in church.\u00a0 If you mess with what I like we are going to have a problem and we are not going to be nice about it.\u00a0 So, how does one go about trying to bring about change while taking away the toys.\u00a0 That will take a mountain of critical thinking.<\/p>\n The discussion of Egocentric Thinking will also help in my work towards a solution through my dissertation.\u00a0 The problem of egocentricity is, as humans, we do not innately considered the rights and needs of others.\u00a0 This is at odds of where we are supposed to be as Christians.\u00a0 The statements at the end of the page ring true to the way most Christians approach their relationship with God.\u00a0 “It’s true because I believe it”- the innate egocentrism that we believe even though we don’t question why.\u00a0 This comes together with the “we’ believe it as well.[3]\u00a0 This continues on until you get to the statement “It’s true because it is in my selfish interest to believe it”[4].\u00a0 Most church goers would probably agree, we believe because we want to know there is something bigger than us.\u00a0 So this is not always a bad way to look at things, as long as we can focus on understanding why we believe, not just because we want to.\u00a0 Another big issue in the church is also found in Sociocentric Thinking.\u00a0 The idea that my group, race, nation, is better than all others.\u00a0 It is just as self-serving as egocentric thinking.\u00a0 It is just on a larger scale.\u00a0 The authors argue “Sociocentric thinking is a hallmark of an uncritical society.\u00a0 It can be diminished only when replaced by a cross-cultural, fairminded thinking — critical thinking in the strong sense”[5]\u00a0 To the reader of the New Testament, this is what Jesus was advocating for, it was the reason Paul was chosen to take a message of reconciliation to God outside of his people.<\/p>\n The idea that we need to be a critical thinker as students, and should be critical thinkers as Christians is of high importance.\u00a0 If we refuse to see the world and our relationship with it through a critical lens, we will fail to reach the world.\u00a0 We have to be able to question the inadequacy of our churches, why we are not reaching a world that desperately need Christ, and find a solution.\u00a0 So, what is the solution?\u00a0 Hopefully by the end of our three years together I will be able to, in some sense, answer that question.\u00a0 Until then, learn to be a critical thinker.\u00a0 Question why you are researching whatever it is you are looking into and then find the answer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]\u00a0Paul, Richard and Linda Elder.\u00a0The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools.<\/em>Dillon Beach, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2003. p 14-15.<\/p>\n [2] https:\/\/www.marketwatch.com\/(S(rnrsydaynixa5x55oiibxm45))\/story\/millennials-communism-sounds-pretty-chill-2017-11-01?link=MW_story_latest_news<\/p>\n [3]Paul, Richard and Linda Elder.\u00a0The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools.<\/em>Dillon Beach, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2003. p 21.<\/p>\n [4] Ibid. 21.<\/p>\n [5] Ibid. 22.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As a student over the past few decades I have always thought of myself as a critical thinker.\u00a0 Usually I am not one for group think.\u00a0 I like to see myself as open minded about how others see the world.\u00a0 I am not so sure I have ever been a critical thinker.\u00a0 As I was 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