One of our regular TDD readers, Ben, recently gave me a little book to read. At first he was going to let me borrow it, but upon giving it a cursory glance, I immediately returned it, because I knew I couldn't just borrow it. I had to get a copy of my own (which has since been covered in blue ink from the overflow of handwritten notes which now saturate the pages). It is a wonderful little gem called, A Mind for God, by James Emery White.
The premise of White's book is that Christians need to be intentional about cultivating their minds in order to be able to "think Christianly" about the world around us. In fact, he puts it this way:
The peril of our day is that when a Christian mind is most needed, Christians express little need for the mind, and as a result, even less resolve to develop it…And even if we do not lose our own minds, we will certainly lose the minds of others. This is the double-edged threat of our day; apart from a Christian mind we will either be taken captive by the myriad of worldviews contending for our attention, or we will fail to make the Christian voice heard and considered above the din. Either way, we either begin to think or lose the fight. (pp. 14, 16)
One of the great observations/complaints from those on the outside looking in at Christianity is the perceived inability to reason. While the truth of this observation may not be as widespread as one might be lead to believe, there are certainly enough examples of unthinking Christians as to warrant White's call for correction. Too many times we embrace a Christian faith to the exclusion of a Christian mind, allowing others (be it, the media, our politicians, the latest books, or television programs...) to do our thinking for us. And, the credibility of the Christian message has suffered for it. White makes a very compelling case that the cultivation of the mind is not an option for the earnest Christian. It is, in fact, a spiritual responsibility. For it flows out of a desire to fulfill the Greatest Commandment in the Bible--loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:29-30).
The appeal of A Mind for God extends far beyond the content itself. It is a relatively short book (approximately 100 pages in length), and White has included some extremely helpful resource appendices in the back for further reading and study.
I would wholeheartedly encourage every one of our TDD readers to obtain a copy and read through it, and pass it along to other family and friends. If you are a Christian, this little treasure will significantly further your understanding of what it means to think and live as a Christian. For those of your who do not share the Christian faith, this book offers an invaluable look into the heart of the Christian faith that is solidly built on reason.
James Emery White's clarion call should reverberate in the minds of all Christians. There is a pressing need for thoughtful Christian engagement in these times in which we live. Let this book be your first step toward preparing to engage in that effort.
UPDATE: For another excellent review of this book, check out this Kingdom People post.
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