There is so much happening in the world we live in. We often seem to be moving from one level of information to another at a very rapid pace. With Artificial Intelligence, (AI) facts and information on the widest range of topics is right at our fingertips. Sometimes when I listen to a show on podcast or watch it on TV, I tend to feel that I have mastered a topic but I\u2019m learning that that is not the necessarily the case. Additionally, we get global news quicker than ever before (in the history of mankind). It\u2019s up to us to decide what is of interest and we will get the information. The smartphone has revolutionized movement of information, and I argue that there is indeed an increase in knowledge as was written in Daniel 12:4. But do we understand what is happening around us? Can we connect the dots? Are we able to Form solid opinions and stand by them?<\/p>\n
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Of late, I have also been thinking about the life and works of Jesus Christ. He was at the beginning of creation and will be at the end of all things. He lived and walked among men yet was God and had power to do all things. If He wanted, he could have challenged the \u201cstatus quo\u201d and begun a podcast, or TV show. Maybe we didn\u2019t have to wait too long to experience the technologies we use today. Instead, He referred to what was written in the Old Testament; often citing the law, the prophets and other written scriptures. In that time, along with oral instruction, reading was a key medium and a way to learn about the workings of culture and faith. So, what is it about the written word that remains so compelling and powerful? I still have not found the ultimate answer, but Adler indicates that prior to the advent of modernity through new media forms, \u201creaders would gain a large share of their information about and their understanding of the world from the written word\u201d (Adler, 2014). What strikes me about this excerpt is the idea of \u201cunderstanding\u201d what is happening around us. In my life, I enjoy a good read here and there but admittedly, I get more information through TV, radio and social media. With a few scrolls on \u201cX\u201d I usually seem to have caught up on what is happening in many parts of the world. But do I really understand the times we are living in, and can I form a qualified opinion on certain topics? It\u2019s a challenge for me as a leader in the space God has placed me.<\/p>\n
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I also learned from Adler [1]<\/a>that there are four levels of reading a book:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My take on his categorization of reading is that different books require different approaches, but I want to be more intentional about reading (multiple books) to understand a subject<\/em> with the aim of forming an opinion about a subject and even developing questions about the said subject. Looking at the life of Christ and authors like Paul, I believe they led a life of reading. They had a good grasp of subject matter, formed opinions and even asked questions to trigger new ways of seeing things. Even though there was no modern media <\/em>in their time, what they documented in written form demonstrated that they had a deep understanding. This idea ties well with Paul Richards\u2019 and Linda Elders thoughts on critical thinking as they outline the elements of thought<\/em>. The authors assert that thinking generates purpose, raises questions, uses information, utilizes concepts, makes inferences, makes assumptions, generates implications and embodies a point of view. [2]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And so, would Jesus have had a podcast back in the day? I think He would and would be great at it. I also know that whatever they discussed (in that podcast) would have been as a result of critical thinking and a deeper level of reading.<\/p>\n\n