clcgh.org Building The Capacity Of Christian Leaders, Equipping The Saints For The Work Of Ministry, Redirecting Straying Christians To The Sound Knowledge Of Christ
Some educated folks rubbish faith in God. They claim that living a life faith in God impairs one’s ability to think critically and creatively. This assertion is not only laughable but also unfortunate and baseless.
Isaac Newton, who discovered the law of Gravity, was a man of faith – Christian. Robert Boyle, a Christian, is described as a great scientist who discovered the first gas law – Boyle’s Law.
Moreover, Antoine Lavoisier, a Christian, is widely credited as being the founder of modern chemistry. He discovered oxygen’s role in combustion and respiration; he also discovered that water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen.
We can also talk about Michael Faraday who discovered electromagnetic induction; discovered the first experimental link between light and magnetism and a host of other respected scientists including Francis Collins, Galileo, Stanley Jaki, Francis Bacon and Maria Mitchel.
Today, there are many scientists, creative and critical thinkers in most countries of the world who are men and women of faith.
Now, it is important to assert that critical thinking without the involvement of God to search for solutions to life’s problems often leads to frustrations and complexities.
Many so-called developed and seemingly atheistic nations were humbled to seek God and exercise faith in Him when they were overwhelmed by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Greek philosopher, Plato, once said there were three valid sources of knowledge: first, the five senses- touch, taste, smell, sight and sound – which we share with animal kingdom. Second, reason – which sets man apart from the lower animals.
The third he called “divine madness” – by which he referred to the spiritual world of supernatural communication.”
“Later his disciple, Aristotle, eliminated the third source – the entire intuitive faculty by which divine perception comes to man. Aristotle said knowledge comes only through the five senses and reason,” (Jamie Buckingham, Power for Living, 1998).
Jamie further states that, “Much of the Western world was affected by what Aristotle taught. But in Eastern and primitive cultures, references to the spirit world – the world of dreams and visions and supernatural communication – are common in all walks of life.”
Clearly, most of today’s so-called critical thinking apostles are obviously students of Aristotle. They measure the pleasantness of life with the inventions and wealth of the developed nations, but forget the moral corruption in these societies where prayer and Bible reading in schools have been replaced with the love for bestiality and homosexuality.
Man is not just a physical being; he is actually a spirit being with a soul and living in a body. Thus, he is supposed to be spiritually enlightened in order to meaningfully manage his physical and spiritual life well.
Life is not all about the possession of the things of the world to enjoy ‘smooth’ beverages and sumptuous meals, but more importantly it is an opportunity for man to have an intimate relationship with God, his Creator even as he thinks critically and creatively.
By James Quansah
