Does the Bible Use Logic or Critical Thinking?

 

Does the Bible Use Logic or Critical Thinking?  

One of the motives in choosing Homeschooling for my children was the lack of logic proficiency in public education. If you cannot appreciate why you are studying a concept and how to appropriate it, what is the intention? The factor remains the same in Sunday School or Sabbath School instruction. If you do not assist a child in understanding the rationale of the Word it simply becomes one more unpleasant task placed upon him by the adult populace obsessed with boring education, with no purpose. When in fact, the child should not only be trained in the Word, but also educated as to why it is the absolute truth, and how to walk in it.  

For Homeschooling logic lessons, in the beginning we started out with brain teasing word problems, also known as “logic puzzles.” They qualified one to use the knack of deduction to help solve a problem. One learns the art of asking the right questions if you hope to find the correct answer. We organized our thoughts through charts and check-off lists. We brainstormed outside the box if we could not come up with the readily apparent solution. We learned to diagram, compare, etc.  

Did Jesus teach using Logic or Critical Thinking skills? How about the other New Testament authors? I thought it might be fun to investigate the principles of logic against the Word and see if the Word is completely based on faith or if there is logic interwoven with faith. Interestingly enough…the Greek word Logos which we translate “Word” also means “reason.” So while we call Jesus “the Word” we could also say Jesus is “Reason.” Reasoning is logic. Thus Logic comes from the Greek word Logos.

Douglas Wilson, an authority on teaching Classical Education with Logic and author of “The Case for Classical Education” and “Introductory Logic,” explains the difference between logic and critical thinking:

“Those who seek to inculcate "critical thinking skills" give all authority to the questioner. He examines, probes, questions, and so forth, before he settles upon "whatever works for him." The one with the questions has all the authority -- a totally subjective authority.

Logical analysis presupposes that there is such a thing as absolute unchanging truth, and that this truth has authority over us. We are not allowed to tinker with the truth. Instead of teaching skepticism -- the belief that there are no unchanging answers -- this approach teaches that we are looking for validly derived answers. The reasoner is not at all interested in whatever would work "for him"; he is interested in answers that would be true even if he had never been born. In other words, he is interested in objective truth.”

So how can you use logic in your teaching to help children discover or rather uncover the truth and abide in it?

·        Mastery of Facts—Children need to learn to memorize biblical facts from a story. Use questions that help them recall and retain the pertinent information in your story of the week. Such questions as “What did Jesus turn into wine?” “Can you name the three disciples with Jesus at the transfiguration?” Reciting memory verses or singing verses to music is another form of mastery.  Jesus and the disciples all quoted Scripture when speaking to others showing the importance of mastery of facts.

·        Comprehending Concepts—Children must understand what the passage is actually stating. This happens through retelling the story in your own words or summarizing what you just heard. “Would you please share this story with your parents?” “Can you give me the abridged edition of today’s story?” “Will you write a summary of the facts of this story?” Jesus often asked questions after sharing a story to see if the listener was indeed taking note and on the same track.

·        Breakdown and Perception—In grammar we had to diagram. It was the process of proving we could make sense of how each component played their role in the sentence. Again by children breaking down the story they learn why each part was necessary to the whole. This is when charts, diagramming, comparison, ordering, analogies, etc come in handy. Even using antonyms can awaken a child’s intellectual capacity when they realize the opposite CANNOT give the identical result. “Can you place the index cards of the outcomes under the correct synopsis?” “Can you label the parts of the ship and highlight the rudder?” “Where would the ship go without the rudder?” Jesus used the parable of the soils to bring about a grasp of what is essential get the right outcome. James uses several comparisons to clarify the magnitude of controlling our tongues.

·        Diligent Application—There is more than just learning the Word.  Our Lord requires obedience. It is the ability of living the Word. Walking in the Light. Abiding in Him. This is often where most struggle. Practicing what we now know to be true to our daily life.  “Can you give me an example of speaking the truth in love in this situation…?” “What is an area in your life that you need to learn to keep focused on Jesus so you can walk on water?” Jesus expected his listeners to act on the truth they now knew. We learn that obedience is better than sacrifice. James 1:22 says, “But be doers or the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  

By Julianne Bell
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