The Bible and Critical

Thinking
 Definition
 The word “critical” merely comes from the common Greek word krites, which
means “a judge,”

 In English “critical,” kritikos—meaning “able to judge (or discern).

(McDurmon, 2009)
 Definition

 The word appears only once in the New Testament in Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-
edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of
both joints and marrow, and able to judge [kritikos] the thoughts and
intentions of the heart”.
 The Bible sets the standard for godly critical thinking

 The Bible describes God Himself as the ultimate, fair, righteous judge
who will critically evaluate and recompense all works even judging
hidden things (1 Corinthians 4:4-5 4 “My conscience is clear, but that
does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore
judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He
will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives
of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God”
(McDurmon, 2009)
 The Bible and Critical thinking

 Individuals must critically examine all things by the standard

of God’s word.

 We must questioning and try what individuals say and

determining where it is truthful or lie.
(McDurmon, 2009)
 Bible scriptures about critical thinking

 Proverbs 14:15 :The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives
thought to his steps. ESV

 2 Timothy 2:7 : Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you
understanding in everything. ESV

 1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV: But test everything; hold fast what is good.
 Bible scriptures about critical thinking

 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see
whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into
the world. ESV

 Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica;
they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily
to see if these things were so. ESV
 Bible scriptures about critical thinking

 Proverbs 15:28 :The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
 Student Assignment

 Using the Biblical story , give a brief outline of the story as it relates to critical
thinking
 Identify the persons in the story that used critical thinking and the results. What
critical thinking skills/attitudes did they demonstrate?
 Using the Critical Thinking Model identify the level of critical thinking used by
various persons.
 Identify any barriers that could affected critical thinking
 Discuss the persons who failed to use critical thinking. What were the results
and what would you have done differently?
References

 McDurmon, J. (2009) The Bible and Critical Thinking. Retrieved

fromhttps://americanvision.org/1830/bible-critical-thinking/