Lessons in Critical Thinking (7 of 12)

A True Skeptic

The word skeptic is defined as “one who instinctively or habitually doubts, questions, or disagrees with assertions or generally accepted conclusions.” Because we now live in a world in which it is thought, and perhaps believed by some, that there is no ultimate authority, there is no right or wrong, there is no one single truth, then it is important to be a skeptic, at least when it comes to the assertions and conclusions of the society and culture.

To be a skeptic, in regards to the world, is not a bad thing. To be a skeptic simply indicates that one is thinking and has questions concerning the validity of assertions and conclusions. Because our society and our culture tend to not be in tune with the Word of God, it should be questioned and even doubted.

When it comes to the Word of God, to ultimate authority and to right and wrong, truth and falsehoods, even a skeptic can have the certainty that it is true and that, as God has promised, not one iota of His Word has ever or will ever fail.

Putting these two worlds together, when one reads or hears the Word of God proclaimed in the world, certainly one would want to do so with discerning ears. A Christian skeptic, if we may use that term, is one who is discerning when it comes to the things of the Word of God. Paul encourages, even us today, to be as the Bereans, who were of a more noble character and checked out everything he said and compared it with the one ultimate truth, the Word of God. And so, we too are encourage to listen well, to discern what we read, and compare everything with what we know to be true and never changing, the Word of God. And doing so, we can then rightly trust our assessment of our own assertions and conclusions.