Cornerstones Journal 2: Critical Thinking

Cornerstones Journal 2 – Critical Thinking Throughout my schooling career, I have always utilized critical thinking. Personally, until I can understand and successfully apply a topic, I do not consider myself knowledgeable in it. Perhaps this is a result of my learning style, but I think it has more to do with the value I place on utilizing all of my knowledge to succeed in any task I come across. As Steven Ball points out, critical thinking is vital when “demonstrating whether faith has a rational and evidential basis.” I have continually struggled to create a solid foundation for my faith to grow upon because I have so many unanswered questions which have never been met with a satisfactory answer. Questions revolving around the Bible’s
timeline, the origins of the world, the resurrection, and the validity and authenticity of the Bible, just to name a few, are constantly with me. They are inescapable. Perhaps more exposure to Christian sources that use physical evidence to support the legitimacy of biblical stories can eliminate a few of these hard questions. Although Steven Ball’s piece did not introduce any new information to me or sway my convictions, the paper did reinforce my belief in reading and thinking critically. Ideally, I will continue to view everything with limited skepticism, until I can prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. This approach will allow me to discern the truth from lies and sensible answers from undisclosed questions in every aspect of my life: spiritually, intellectually, relationally, personally and vocationally. Hopefully, through God’s good grace, I will be able to comprehend the lessons of the Bible and the resolve many of the unanswered questions that dogged me since I was introduced to the Lord.