Bayard\u2019s How to Talk About a Book You Haven\u2019t Read<\/u> and Adler\u2019s How to Read a Book<\/u> became irrelevant when approaching the potent twenty-four-page work of Richard Paul and Linda Elder, Critical Thinking Concepts & Tools<\/u>. The words were few but packed with truly societal changing possibilities that took this reader on a journey of repentance.<\/p>\n
Paul and Elder describe what thinking left to its own devices will become and the quality of life that is the result. Their description of egocentric and sociocentric thinking, and their vision for a critical society resonated deeply as I reflected on the current state of America. My response was, \u201cFather forgive us, we do not realize what we are doing and what we are becoming as a result.\u201d From what I observe in the news and on social media, my home nation is in desperate need of transformation in thinking and speech and so am I.<\/p>\n
When reading the ideas of how critical thinking, or lack thereof, shapes conversations and behaviors in a society, I recalled the work of Judith Glaser.[1]<\/a> In Conversational Intelligence<\/u>, Glaser argues, \u201cAs we apply Conversational Intelligence to our interactions, we can change our personal trajectory; on a much grander scale, conversations can change the history of nations and peoples.\u201d[2]<\/a> She describes the potential as follows:<\/p>\n Conversations are<\/em> dynamic, interactive and inclusive. They evolve and impact the way we connect, engage, interact, and influence others, enabling us to shape reality, mind-sets, events, and outcomes in a collaborative way. Conversations have the power to move us \u00a0\u00a0 from \u201cpower over\u201d others to \u201cpower with\u201d others, giving us the exquisite ability to get on the same page with our fellow humans and experience the same reality by bridging the reality gaps between \u201chow you see things and how I see things.\u201d[3]<\/strong><\/a> <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n This type of conversational intelligence is predicated upon critical thinking and the essential traits Paul and Elder reference.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n While journeying through the ideas in Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools<\/u> and Conversational Intelligence<\/u> I began reflecting on the scriptural passages that link our thinking, our heart, and our words such as Matthew 15:18 (NET), \u201cBut the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a person.\u201d James 1:26 (NET) makes this holistic connection, \u201cIf someone thinks<\/em> he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue<\/em>, and so deceives his heart<\/em>, his religion is futile\u201d (italics added). It seems the old adage, \u201cWhich came first the chicken or the egg?\u201d is somewhat applicable here. Where does it start? In the mind, in the heart, from the mouth? What became clear is the undeniable effect one has on the other in the individual and ultimately on society as a whole.<\/p>\n I am challenged, as a leader, to use the influence I have been given to draw people into a deeper (critical) way of thinking. To interrogate the reality of my own heart rather than judging others, so that I remove the plank from my eye before pointing out the speck in another.[5]<\/a> To use intelligence in conversations that reflects the maturity of a follower of Christ. What could our world be like if we valued being \u201creasonable and fair minded?\u201d What if we taught and cultivated more thoughtful living considering all sides before taking one, and open-mindedness became a posture toward relationship not just a thought-oriented skill? What if integrity, humility, empathy, confidence and courage described our social values, not just in intelligence, but in every area? What would our world be like in twenty years if every child was taught this way of living? How would we relate if every culture and people group were valued and treated as those made in the image of God? What if we truly spoke the truth in love and confronted group think or sociocentric thinking?[6]<\/a><\/p>\n Even as I read the questions I have posed my own cynicism tries to take over and say it is idealistic. Then I read the quote again by Sumner penned in 1906, \u201cEducation in the critical faculty is the only education of which it can be truly said that it makes good citizens.\u201d[7]<\/a> So, Father forgive us your Church for not taking our responsibility to make good learners and followers of Jesus as he instructed us to do. Education that is lifestyle in heart, thought and words seems to be what you defined as discipleship.<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Richard Paul and Linda Elder, Critical Thinking Concepts & Tools, <\/em>23.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Judith E. Glaser, Conversational Intelligence: How Great Leaders Build Trust and Get Extraordinary Results<\/em> (Abingdon, UK: Bibliomotion, 2014), 203.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Glaser, xiii.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Paul and Elder, 14-15.<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> Matthew 7:4 (NET)<\/p>\n