The Christian Mind Revisited – Part III – 07.23.2015 –
July 24th, 2015 | No Comments
What do we mean when we use the term “Christian Mind?”
A sarcastic skeptic might argue that there is no such thing; that the very concept is an oxymoron.
This writer would respond to the skeptic by stating that it takes more faith to embrace “unbelief” than it does to grasp some form of “theistic faith.”
The debate with the skeptics will have to wait for another time… Smile!
As we return to the original question posed, “What do we mean when we use the term “Christian Mind?”
Confusion arises when there is not clarity in the words, symbols, or concepts that are being expressed in order to define points of speech.
The word “Christian” appears only three times in the New Testament.
The New Testament consists of 27 books composed from approximately 45 A.D. to sometime around 95 to 100 A.D. The last book accepted into the New Testament was the book of The Revelation (Saint John the beloved Apostle is commonly thought to be the author of this fascinating book).
The word Christian was employed twice by Saint Luke in the book of ACTS:
(1.) ACTS 11:25-26 – The Church at Antioch
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with[a] the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.”
Footnotes: (a.) Acts 11:26 Or were guests of
(2.) ACTS 26:24-29 – Paul Appeals to Agrippa to Believe
24 While he was making this defense, Festus exclaimed, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth.26 Indeed the king knows about these things, and to him I speak freely; for I am certain that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
The final reference in which the word “Christian” is used in the New Testament is found in the first of two letters that were penned by the great Apostle Peter in the fourth chapter of his first letter:
(3.) 1 PETER 4.12-16 – Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.
The word Christian means, “Slave of Christ…”
A “slave” has no rights.
A “slave” lives to serve his or her Master.
A Christian is a slave of Christ and voluntarily submits to The LORDSHIP of CHRIST in every aspect of Life.
Christian believers in the New Testament were known as “disciples” or “followers of The Way.” The usage of the word Christian developed and evolved over the ensuing centuries.
Again, we explored the etymology and development of the word Christian, but what does it mean to engage in Christian thinking?
Christian thinking begins with the Person and work of JESUS CHRIST.
JESUS is not only the savior of His Children; He is also their LORD!
JESUS spent 3 ½ years teaching his 12 disciples and his 72 to 120 followers in the essentials of what it meant to “commune” and “live” with Him in an “intimate fashion.”
The Apostle Paul exhorted the Church in Rome to be “transformed” by the “renewing of their minds.” Saint Paul adjured the Roman disciples to present their bodies (Spirit, Soul, and Body) as living sacrifices to The LORD that they serve (ROMANS 12.1-2).
It takes hard, hard work to develop a Christian Mind.
- A Christian Mind makes decisions based on an “ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE”; it is not caught up in the “Tyranny of the Urgent.”
- A Christian Mind focuses on the Person of CHRIST.
- A Christian Mind submits to the Teaching of CHRIST
- A Christian Mind studies the Words (Sacred Scripture) of CHRIST
- A Christian Mind sharpens itself by live discussions with disciples who are wholly committed to living as “Slaves” of CHRIST (this is voluntary and daily submission to Christ).
Mr. Harry Blamires (author of The Christian Mind, circa 1963) lamented the fact that too many “Christian disciples” were engaged in an abundance of good activities: personal, civic, corporate, charitable, and political endeavors without a clear understanding of how a Christian should think or approach their various tasks and endeavors.
In Part IV of this series, we will look at how the Christian Mind discerns, evaluates, and judges the various world’s ideologies and concepts that run counter to the teachings of CHRIST.
Knowledge is the accumulation of facts.
Wisdom is the proper application of facts in a “holistic” and “systematic” manner to ALL of Faith, Life, and daily Learning.
GOD’s Wisdom is transmitted to His Children by the blessing of The Holy Spirit in their Hearts, Souls (mind, will,, and emotions), and Bodies.
