Topical Encyclopedia
The term "critically" is not directly found in the text of the Bible; however, the concept of critical examination and discernment is woven throughout Scripture. In a biblical context, critical thinking involves the careful and prayerful evaluation of teachings, prophecies, and spiritual truths to ensure alignment with God's Word.
Discernment and Testing of SpiritsThe Bible encourages believers to exercise discernment and to critically evaluate spiritual teachings. In 1
John 4:1 , the apostle John instructs, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This verse underscores the importance of critically assessing spiritual messages to guard against deception.
Wisdom and UnderstandingThe pursuit of wisdom and understanding is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the need for critical thinking.
Proverbs 4:7 states, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." This passage highlights the value of seeking wisdom and understanding, which involves a critical approach to learning and applying God's truths.
Berean ExampleThe Bereans are commended for their critical examination of the Scriptures.
Acts 17:11 describes them: "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." The Bereans' practice of daily Scripture examination serves as a model for believers to critically evaluate teachings against the Word of God.
Guarding Against DeceptionThe Bible warns against false teachings and emphasizes the need for vigilance. In
Colossians 2:8 , Paul cautions, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." This admonition calls for a critical approach to evaluating worldly philosophies and teachings that contradict biblical truth.
Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers in their critical examination of spiritual matters.
John 16:13 promises, "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come." The Holy Spirit aids believers in discerning truth from error, enabling them to think critically in their spiritual journey.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not use the term "critically" explicitly, the principles of discernment, wisdom, and careful examination are integral to the Christian faith. Believers are called to critically evaluate teachings, seek wisdom, and rely on the Holy Spirit to navigate the complexities of spiritual truth.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) In a critical manner; with nice discernment; accurately; exactly.
2. (adv.) At a crisis; at a critical time; in a situation, place, or condition of decisive consequence; as, a fortification critically situated.
Greek
996. boetheia -- help... aid). See 997 (). [996 () is used of auxiliary aid (remedy),
critically needed for rescue (as in Herodotus and Xenophon). 996 () is
...Library
How to Speak in Public
... thoughts. It is the only certain way to clarify your thought, to test it in
advance of verbal expression and to examine itcritically....
Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
... interpolations, as we would call them, was entirely different in those times from
ours; and it may perhaps be an historically andcritically no unwarranted...
Synopsis. --The Present Net Results of the Discussion of the...
... That there are miracles and miracles is patent to minds that have learned to scan
history morecritically than when a scholar like John Milton began his...
Synopsis. --Arbitrary Criticism of the Biblical Narratives of the...
... of this kind."His raising of the widow's son probably such."The hypothesis that
his raising of Lazarus may also have been suchcritically examined."The...
Preface.
... Scarcely of inferior importance would becritically correct editions of the Fathers
of the Church and these must by all means be furnished with far completer...
The Puritan Beginnings of the Church in virginia ---Its Decline...
... We may feel constrained to accept only at a large discount the pious official
professions of King James 1. andcritically to scrutinize many of the statements...
Manuscript Testimony Shewn to be Overwhelmingly in Favour of These...
... How far the reading which results from the suppression of the last two words in
the phrase tois hagiois tois ousin en Epheso, iscritically allowable or not, I...
Appendix
... 2.Critically more trustworthy, and exegetically very valuable, is Bernhard Weiss,
Das Leben Jesu (3d ed.1889, 2 vols.), translated from the first ed., The...
Preface.
... Scarcely of inferior importance would becritically correct editions of the Fathers
of the Church; and these must by all means be furnished with far completer...
Manuscript Testimony Shewn to be Overwhelmingly in Favour of These...
... SMALL LETTER PHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER
SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH YPOGEGRAMMENI}, iscritically allowable or...
Thesaurus
Critically (1 Occurrence)... 2. (adv.) At a crisis; at a critical time; in a situation, place, or condition of
decisive consequence; as, a fortification
critically situated.
...Critical (2 Occurrences)
Inspect (22 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To look upon; to view closely andcritically,
esp. in order to ascertain quality or condition, to...
Ethiopia (26 Occurrences)
... e-thi-o'-pi-a (kush; Aithiopia): 1. Location, Extent and Population:Critically
speaking Ethiopia may refer only to the Nile valley above the First Cataract...
Beyond (209 Occurrences)
... Version be`eher, is occasionally translated "beyond," and when this word is joined
to ha-yarden, "Jordan," as it usually is, it becomescritically important....
Ahimelech (17 Occurrences)
... was made between the common and the holy (1 Samuel 21:4-6). The custom of the shewbread
was maintained (1 Samuel 21:6). In fine, Jesus iscritically correct in...
Astute (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.)Critically discerning; shrewd; sagacious; subtle;
crafty. Multi-Version Concordance Astute (2 Occurrences)....
Search (186 Occurrences)
... See SEARCHINGS. (3) "Search out" often means to studycritically, to investigate
carefully, eg Job 8:8; Job 29:16 Ecclesiastes 1:13 Lamentations 3:40 Matthew 2...
Sift (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To separate or part as if with a sieve. 3. (vt) To examinecritically or
minutely; to scrutinize. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SIEVE; SIFT. siv....
Genealogy (29 Occurrences)
... Thecritically reconstructive school finds them chiefly in the late (priestly) strata
of the early books, and dates Chronicles-Ezra-Nehemiah (our fullest...
Resources
Why do Christians practice the indoctrination of children? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is reality therapy, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is psychoanalytic theory, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgCritically: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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