Critical Thinking and Christ                                                   

Christianity is the ultimate awakening

We are living in an age where thinking critically is increasingly discouraged. In a world saturated with information, opinions and narratives, to question is to be labelled ‘dangerous’, ‘divisive’ or ‘misinformed’. But scripture shows us that God is not threatened by questions – He is the answer to them. And critical thinking, when rooted in truth and discernment, always leads us back to Christ.

The only faith the enemy fears

There’s a reason why only Jesus and Christianity are openly mocked, ridiculed in media, and excluded from public discourse without apology. The enemy doesn’t waste energy attacking what doesn’t threaten him. He fears Christ because he knows the power of the resurrected King – the only One who holds the keys to life, death and eternity (Rev 1:18).

We don’t see this level of persecution in the West towards any other faith. And even worldwide, Christians are by a great margin the most persecuted faith group. Why is this? It’s because Christianity isn’t just another religion – it is the truth that sets people free (John 8:32). And that freedom terrifies the kingdom of darkness.

Culture will try to keep us from Christ, but critical thinking – led by the Holy Spirit – will bring us right back to Him

This is why the devil’s strategy is to invert truth, to exterminate the gospel, and even to weaponise Christianity – twisting it into legalism, manipulation or hypocrisy to hinder people from encountering the living God. He uses confusion and culture to keep people bound by fleshly things and fleshly desires, distorting identity, purpose and truth. But the Word of God says:

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments... and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:4).

Jesus came to set the captives free (Lk 4:18). That includes freedom from captivity to sin, fear, addiction, confusion and every flesh-driven distraction. Culture will try to keep us from Christ, but critical thinking – led by the Holy Spirit – will bring us right back to Him.

What the enemy meant for harm

Take COVID-19 as an example. While fear clouded minds and silenced reason, many blindly followed the crowd, accepting whatever they were told without question. Yet God always preserves a remnant – a group of people who refuse to live like sheep without a Shepherd.

Critical thinking isn’t rebellion – it’s biblical.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gen 50:20).

The global shaking brought on by the pandemic pushed many to wake up, to ask deeper questions, to look beyond the headlines. And where did the rabbit holes lead?  For many it led to the asking of deeper questions about freedom, control, and meaning - the deeper they dug, the more clearly they saw Jesus at the centre of it all. So, for many, it ultimately led to the cross, to the truth, to the only One who can truly set people free. Prominent examples include Dr Mike Yeadon, who spoke out consistently, and MP Andrew Bridgen, whose search led to a public declaration of faith.

Critical thinking isn’t rebellion – it’s biblical. Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” God invites us to seek, to knock, to ask. He calls us not to conform to the pattern of this world, “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom 12:2)

Critical thinking – a gift from God

Discernment, wisdom, understanding – these aren’t just spiritual accessories. They’re weapons. They are part of the armour God gives us to stand firm in a world that constantly tries to blur the lines between truth and lies.

Discernment, wisdom, understanding – these aren’t just spiritual accessories. They’re weapons. 

“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Heb 5:14).
The Bible calls us to test the spirits (1 Jn 4:1), because not every voice, platform, or ideology is of God. We are told to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt 10:16). That takes more than surface-level belief – it takes Spirit-led discernment and minds awakened by truth.

And what is our foundation for truth? The Bible – the living Word of God. Not just a book, but a breathing, timeless, Spirit-inspired revelation that has stood the test of time. It never changes with culture, politics or feelings. It is unshakable. Eternal.

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isa 40:8).

We must stop outsourcing our thinking to the media, to trends, to government or even to personalities in the Church. God is calling us higher – to think, to seek, to question, and to discern through His Spirit and His Word.

It all comes back to the cross

Every honest question, every deep dive into truth, every battle in the mind – they all lead to Jesus. To the fact that He died on the cross not just to forgive your sin but to make you holy and whole.

... it’s important to acknowledge that some people are not critical thinkers; they are simply not wired in this way.

Now, while for many, critical evaluation and discernment intellectually is intrinsic, it’s important to acknowledge that some people are not critical thinkers; they are simply not wired in this way. Rather, they primarily connect with God in an experiential way. Consider, for example, the faith of children, and that of the intellectually challenged. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” So critical thinking, while the path that Christ would call most believers to take, isn’t the essential path for everyone.

That said, Christianity isn’t about blind faith – it’s about eyes wide open, walking in truth, and living in the freedom of Christ. We don’t follow culture – we follow the King of Kings. And in doing so, we need to think clearly, discern wisely and live boldly.

So, keep asking questions. Keep testing what you’re told. Keep seeking the truth. Because every road of truth leads to the Lamb who was slain, the Lion who is coming, and the Word that never fails.