Developing a Critical Mind & Not a Critical Spirit
by on Aug 30th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
The college years can be a pivotal time in a man’s life. Perhaps, for the first time, he is challenged to think critically. He is given access to the thoughts, arguments, and ideas of many scholars that might differ on the same issues, and the development of critical thinking skills is essential to getting to the truth. The leaders in the church and society need to be critical thinkers, so embrace the opportunity to begin strengthening your mental muscles.
As you learn how to test all things, avoid allowing your newfound critical skills to grow out of control and turn into a critical spirit. There is a difference. One is necessary for wisdom and the other is destructive. Here are just a few simple differences between a critical mind and critical spirit:
#1: A Critical Mind Seeks to Understand a Person’s Perspective
Good listening is vital to acquiring a critical mind. We often tend to impose our own perspective on others, so a constructively critical person will make sure that the speaker or author is carefully understood before casting a judgment on the merits of the argument.
#2: A Critical Mind Demands Honesty
Men of wisdom will not be wowed by subversive speech tactics, personal attacks (ad hominem), or any other logical fallacies that speakers or authors might use to win their arguments. They hold both parties in a dispute responsible for being logically consistent. Critical thinkers examine everything and only then do they embrace a given view. Therefore, do not be afraid to test a person’s argument with questions. If their view is true, the questions will only confirm it.
#3: A Critical Mind Humbly Seeks Truth
The goal of critical thought is to discern truth from error or, when matters of truth and error are not at stake, best from better. Critical thinkers want to know what to believe and are willing to make changes to their thinking if they discover that the truth is different from their original views. Making such changes demands a measure of humility and willingness to be corrected. As Christian martyr, Balthasar Hubmaier once wrote, “I may err – I am a man – but a heretic I cannot be, because I ask constantly for instruction in the word of God.” Critical thinkers assume such a posture of humility.
#1: A Critical Spirit Only Listens for Opportunities to Attack
Contrary to a critical thinker, a man with a critical spirit is not interested in truly learning about another person’s perspective prior to casting judgment. This person only wants to listen long enough to hear the perfect sound bite so that he can point his fingers at the speaker or author and cry out, “Ah Hah!” The Pharisees were known to do this to Jesus (Matthew 12:9-14, Matthew 22:15-46). Our presidential candidates often try to trap one another instead of dialogue with one another at debates. Congregants with critical spirits wait to hear certain “red flag” words (like “emergent,” “new perspective,” “postmodern,” etc.) so they can show the prowess of their doctrinal orthodoxy. Such a posture is not designed for learning but for lording one’s views over the other.
#2: A Critical Spirit Demands Perfection
A person with a critical spirit often fails to move beyond the task of spotting weakness in an argument. They want a person’s argument (and very often their presentation of the argument) to be absolutely perfect or else they will accept nothing that is said by that party. Christians with this spirit will fail to respect a speaker because he says “um” too much or an author because he makes a few grammatical errors. They take joy in finding the errors instead of taking joy in mining the truthful elements from an imperfect argument. This is a tragedy.
#3: A Critical Spirit Arrogantly Seeks Self-Promotion
Critical thinkers are teachable. Critical spirits think of themselves as teachers. Rather than seeking to learn truth and be corrected by it, they only consider evidence that promotes their own view. They want other people to know how right they are about everything. They think that their stamp of approval is necessary for a person’s argument to be legitimate. The arrogance and pride that stems from a critical spirit is usually obvious to all except the person him/herself.
As you engage in your classes, embrace the opportunity to think carefully and critically about the views presented in each course. Do not be afraid to point out logical or factual errors when you find them, even if they come from scholars who are generally right about most of what they assert. Yet, after you discover the errors, also seek to see if elements of truth reside within a person’s proclamation. Being critical in mind involves both steps.
“but test everything; hold fast what is good.” -1 Thessalonians 5:21(ESV)