God Wants You to Think
God can be defined as an unembodied infinite rational mind. Humans are created in the image of God. Therefore, humans were created with a mind.
Although limited, embodied and corrupted by the fall, the human mind wasn’t destroyed or reduced to animal levels (although some acts like animals).
Scripture presupposes this basic rationality of humans. In fact, Psalms 32.9 tells us not to be like animals with no understanding:
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
When human beings don’t act according to reason, Scripture rebukes them. In Proverbs 1.20–33, you will see an ode to wisdom and the pursuit of knowledge, where wisdom is personified screaming to the simple,
“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.
Proverbs incessantly tells us to seek knowledge and intelligence like money (Pr. 2.3–6) because these are way better than money (Pr. 3.13–15).
Proverbs argue that this will extend your life span, increment your wealth and peace (2.16–18) and in doing so we will act like God did when creating the universe: with wisdom, intelligence and science (vv. 19–20).
Although our minds are fallen and darkened by sin (Eph. 4.18), this is not an excuse to renounce reason. We are still commanded to use our brain and not leave it at the door.
God call his people to reason. Jesus tells us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22.37)
Loving God with only your heart, just emotions, is not loving God enough. It’s also dangerous (Jeremiah 17.9–10).
Our emotions are also corrupted by sin. We shouldn’t relay our decisions solely on hunches or feelings.
But it’s also dangerous to just love God with only your mind and not your heart.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Pr. 3.5–6)
Seems contradictory, doesn’t it? But is not.
You see, this verse warns against making your path with your own understanding without trusting the Lord. Your own understanding can be based on perception, but God knows better.
You shouldn’t go to either extreme. Not too Pentecostal not too Baptist.
You need a healthy balance between your emotions and your intellect.
So, God, who is an infinite intelligent mind,
who created the universe out of nothing with its complex finely tune laws,
who created you, with a mind, and encourages you in Scriptures to think,
would make reason incompatible with faith?
Yeah… me neither.
