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A Mind for God

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Bertrand Russell said, "Most Christians would rather die than think; in fact, they do."

I am afraid that Mr. Russell was right. Of course, we could substitute just about any class of people for Christians in this sentence, and it would still be true. And, it should be pointed out, all of Bertrand's thinking didn't keep him from dying. One has to wonder what is the point of thinking if it doesn't keep you from dying. Woody Allen said it well: "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying." Unfortunately for him, though, his work will certainly outlive him.

I digress. The point is that Bertrand Russell's criticism of "most Christians" is true. And while all of his thinking turned out to be pointless, the thinking of Christian thoughts is not. The thinking of Christian thoughts is an essential element of eternal life. So it is a great tragedy if Christians are just not thinking much.The proof that Christians are not thinking much can be found in any "Christian Store." Christian Stores used to be called Bible Bookstores. Now they are filled with an amazing array of pablum. Even the books they sell are weak-minded and often not really Christian. Your Best Life Now? You've got to be kidding. If Christianity says anything, it says, "Your best life later."

Please. I beg you. Swim against this tide of non-thinking. You could make a good start by reading A Mind for God by James Emery White. In this great little book (about 100 easy-to-read pages), Dr. White will encourage you to obey Christ by loving God with all your mind--to think Christianly. "Thinking Christianly," Os Guinness wrote, "is thinking by Christians about anything and everything in a consistently Christian way--in a manner that is shaped, directed, and restrained by the truth of God's Word and God's Spirit." According to the apostle Paul, the "renewing of the mind" is a critical aspect of a life that follows Jesus. Thinking Christianly is essential to living as His disciple.

A Mind for God will not only motivate you to repent of your mindlessness; it will also give you solid practical guidance. Some of the guidance is kind of obvious, like "turn off your TV and read." Some of it is less obvious, like "morning is better than evening." One of the great features of the book is its appendices, which contain a list of books that will turn anyone who reads them into a good Christian thinker.

There is one chapter that I wish Dr. White had thought to include. That chapter would say something about the life of the mind as it relates to the life of the Church. How should the Church foster deep, careful, Christian thinking? In what ways--and to what extent--should our fellowship and service be an intellectual exercise? How does or should our fellowship include a sharing of the mind of Christ? How should a thinking Church interact with the world? How could the Church have a truly prophetic voice in the greater culture, a voice that offers real thought rather than simplistic platitudes or moralistic presumptions?

Even though these questions are not addressed, a smart reader of A Mind for God should be able to begin on them, and that is the best way to take this book. It is a motivational guide--a beginning point--for those who would like to develop their minds for God. Read this book. Or at least read a book.

President of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminar, James Emery White is fast becoming, in my opinion, one of the leading Christian thinkers of today on the current cultural crisis and how best to equip the next generation to engage for the cause of Christ. This book, A Mind for God, is a shorter and easier-to-digest version of another excellent book by White titled Serious Times: Making Your Life Matter in an Urgent Day. The purpose of this book, as White says himself, is to challenge the reader to begin to think Christianly. The proverbial phrase that the mind is a terrible thing to waste is true, and White warns that it is apparently now a reality as well.

But, if the issues of the world are increasing complex and we have moved from a thoughtful approach to information overload, White is here with sage advice and wisdom for the Christian individual who wants to know how to equip themselves to make a difference in the world. White's advice can best be summarized with one word: read. While reading is not the end of all that is necessary, it most assuredly is the beginning of developing the mind. White does an excellent job of encouraging Christians to read and also gives several examples of what and how to read to make the time and energy most productive.

White adds a valuable reading guide at the end of the book for those interested in developing their Christian worldview and entering the "great conversation." He also gives some additional resources including audio centers for further education, learning centers dedicated to developing the Christian mind, web sites of organizations for additional information and periodicals to continue to deepen one's understanding of the current cultural crisis.

Dr. James Emery White continues to provide groundbreaking work in tying the depth of his scholarship to terms that spiritual seekers and mature Christ-followers can clearly understand. Challenging the edges of the mind is the promise that he delivers with a profound punch. The suggested reading list in the back illustrates what White does so well-stimulate a thirst and then provide deep wells from which to drink.

James Emery White's A Mind for God (Intervarsity Press, 2006) is a short book emphasizing the need for Christians to cultivate their minds. Nothing that White says in this book is particularly new; Christian thinkers have been advocating immersion in the Christian worldview for decades now.

What makes White's book stand out is its brevity. At just over 100 pages, this small book serves as a very concise declaration of Christianity's need for biblical thinkers. It is not designed to provide Christians with a biblical worldview. Instead, it points us in the right direction. Especially helpful are the appendices in the back of the book which list important books from the past three thousand years.

White's book is a clarion call to evangelical Christians to begin cultivating the life of the mind. His view of the future is hopeful, his advice practical, and his words should be heeded by our generation.

A Mind for God has been a tremendous blessing to read, White's treatment of the subject of thinking Christianly was remarkable. The book is very informative, encouraging, and challenging.

White states, "A single book can deepen your understanding, expand your vision, sensitize your spirit, deepen your soul, ignite your imagination, stir your passions and widen your wisdom."

Well, that is precisely what A Mind for God does for those who read it.

I absolutely loved this book. It was required reading for a class I am taking, and I'm so glad. This book is not to be judged by it's size, because it is certainly not a quick read. This is one to pour over for a few days - with a journal, or at least a pen to underline (my copy is quite mussied up!) and engage. So much to think about... I love the message(s) of this book, and it has changed me and some of my thinking. Please read it, you won't regret it.

This work packs a lot of punch for its size. It is a serious challenge to the contemporary Christian to be reading, learning, thinking, and reflecting so that we may be "transformed by the renewing of [our] mind." White contends that the only way for the Christian to successfully contend for the faith against the philosophies of the crowd around him is to out-think them; and the only way to out-think them is to out-read them.
Helpful suggested reading lists are included in the Appendix.
Much of this material is repeated in "Serious Times" by the same author.

Not a book to be ignored, "A mind for God" confronts us with the painful truth that the Christian mind is disappearing, then proceeds to inspire action by showing us what it means to develop our minds for God. The book is fast-paced, never boring, insightful, and even has helpful reading lists to help us get on with it & do something about our problems. This is a book that I will be going back to time and again for inspiration and guidance.

This is a great book. Having studied at Oxford and recieving his PhD and also being an experienced pastor and church leader, White is an author to be listened to. He is very insightful and very straightforward when it comes to what the Bible says and about the culture we live in. If you want to learn how to strengthen your mind to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that you have, buy this book.

A Letter to My Sisters: The Way Out
This is a good book to read to make you more conscious of you walk with the Lord. As you read it, you will want to take time to meditate and apply the concepts presented, to your life.
A Letter to My Sisters: The Way Out