The NT puts heavy
emphasis on using the mind as the principal avenue to Christian
growth (e.g., Rom 12:2; 1 Pet 1:13), so the preacher should do the
same.1
1 Stott has written, "The great doctrines of creation, revelation, redemption and
judgment all imply that man has an inescapable duty both to think and to act upon
what he thinks and knows" (John R. W. Stott, Your Mind Matters [Downers Grove:
InterVarsity, 1972] 14). Keiper concurs: "If we fully enter into the power of biblical
thinking, we shall become a miracle people, having a healthy mind in Christ, being an
example of our heavenly citizenship on earth, and continually and daily cleansed by
His Word (see
John 15:3)" (Ralph L. Keiper, The Power of Biblical Thinking [Old
Tappan, NJ: Revell, 1977] 159). Hull is more specific: "Transformation comes
through the commitment of the mind. Without the proper knowledge and thinking
we have no basis for personal change or growth. The mind is the pivotal starting
place for change" (Bill Hull, Right Thinking [Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress, 1985]
8).
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