There’s been a noticeable return of public figures who emphasize the significance of religion lately. For instance, voices like Jordan Peterson and Douglas Murray speak to this, suggesting that religion holds a vital place in societal structure. However, when religion—particularly Christianity—is framed as a social good, a subtle shift may occur that, interestingly enough, can actually distort the understanding of the Triune God. While these individuals aren’t outright opposed to Christianity, they seem to align more closely with it than, say, new atheists like Sam Harris, who entirely dismiss the validity of religion. Even those who acknowledge Christian values without fully embracing the belief that “Jesus is Lord” can miss the full reality of things. This narrow perspective places God as something subordinate to reality instead of the ultimate source of it. In this light, the Bible is seen not as an expression of God’s self-revelation, but rather as one tradition’s interpretation of reality. Ultimately, various religious frameworks seem to shape reality into a mold that fits their respective narratives.
Organizations such as the Colson Center and Focus on the Family present an alternative view. John Stonestreet highlights that the biblical stories of Creation, Fall, Salvation, and Restoration are “not just the Bible’s narrative, but the world’s narrative that the Bible recounts.” Essentially, the Bible isn’t merely a human effort to frame reality through a monotheistic lens; it’s actually God’s self-disclosure, emphasizing that He is the foundation of goodness, beauty, and truth. It’s not humans who define these concepts, but rather they recognize the goodness and truth that flow from the Triune God.
Before delving into the four “biblical explanations of reality”— creation, fall, salvation, and restoration—it feels important to frame how we think about these within a broader Christian context. This approach aims to make the biblical worldview more than just a collection of beliefs but a lens through which we engage with the world. A framework like “Thinking Christianity” nurtures a shared Christian understanding that translates into action; it’s about embodying God’s truth in our lives.
Four Practices for Living Out the Biblical Perspective
The Thinking Christianity model includes four fundamental components:
- Acknowledge the existence of God
- Foster a theological mindset
- Utilize divine logic
- Engage in purposeful research
Each element requires thoughtfulness, but it’s essential to recognize that there’s more to it than just intellectual exercise. Because we’re living beings situated in specific contexts, our thoughts inevitably influence how we navigate the world and what we understand as truth.
1. Acknowledge the Existence of God
Recognizing God’s reality means submitting to His expectations and committing to loving Him fully. This recognition shapes our loyalty—how we relate to everything else in life. By immersing ourselves in Scripture and being attuned to the Holy Spirit, we can make God more relevant than anything else we encounter. Instead of viewing Him as peripheral, we begin to approach life’s situations with God as our focal point.
2. Cultivate a Theological Mindset
Developing a theological disposition allows us to foster a communal understanding of how the world operates, shaped by God’s revelations and honed through the Holy Spirit within Christian fellowship. This mindset will naturally influence how we navigate our lives.
3. Employ Divine Logic
Studying theology involves reasoning grounded in God’s reality as revealed through Christ and Scripture. Through this lens, we adopt attitudes characterized by patience and faithful judgment. This commitment to divine logic helps us resist cultural influences and maintain clarity of thought.
4. Engage in Purposeful Research
Participating in disciplined inquiry is not merely about accumulating knowledge; it represents an exercise in Christian discernment. While a theological disposition provides an innate sense of Christianity, disciplined study allows us to examine claims and cultural pressures with a thoughtful, grounded approach.
Together, these elements illustrate how to become people whose loyalty to God is not just a strategy but a fundamental aspect of who we are. It’s less about eradicating misinformation and more about deeply shaping our loyalties and perceptions toward aligning with truth, especially regarding the reality of the Triune God. In addressing these issues, we confront the risk posed by misinformation.
The Biblical Narrative Dissected into Four Parts
The Truth Rising Project elaborates on four Biblical truths: Creation, Fall, Salvation, and Restoration. Here’s how these are interpreted within a thinking Christian framework.
1. Creation
Genesis 1:1-2 talks about the harmony between God and humanity. People are made in God’s image and charged with stewardship under His authority. This image confers dignity and duty, but often we overlook the latter. To genuinely reflect God, we must live under His governance—recognizing Him as Sovereign allows for human flourishing.
2. The Fall
This concept signifies humanity’s choice to step outside the divine boundaries placed by God. The Fall symbolizes the moment self-centered love took the place of genuine love for God. In the exchange with the serpent, there’s a critical turning point where trust in God is shaken. This act of rebellion leads humanity away from its intended path.
3. Redemption
The aftermath of the Fall places humanity in a self-contained world marked by disordered affections and a tendency to deny God’s boundaries. The need for salvation becomes apparent. When Israel exited Egypt, they were liberated not just for freedom but to follow God’s laws. The law serves as a reminder of dependence on God, and while it may seem burdensome, it leads to life, confirming the truth that God’s ways are ultimately liberating.
4. Restoration
Recovery doesn’t mean a simple return to the garden, as humanity still bears the marks of sin. Although we don’t experience the suffering of that state anymore, the lessons learned remain. Our journey towards healing is underscored by growth through trials that strengthen character and enhance our faith.
Embracing Truth in a Misleading World
Every time a believer points toward the Triune God in actions or words, they bring forth a slice of truth. This movement is gaining traction as more people acknowledge Christ’s assertion that “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” God’s followers find joy in His teachings and strive to reflect reality in their lives rather than conform to worldly standards. We offer insights into how the world operates, favoring divine logic over comfort and prioritizing gratitude over exploitation.
The Truth Rising project embodies a conviction that should resonate with all Christians. It’s about recognizing that misinformation and misformation often coexist. As God’s people, our commitment to truth isn’t about thinking it will resolve the world’s issues, but about living in accordance with God’s revealed truth through scripture and Christ. Following Him is the only way to experience the transformative power of resurrection, ascension, and glorification.
