In the 1950s, some 70 years ago, Albert Einstein was asked to give parting advice to 32 Rhodes Scholars with whom they had been meeting. Einstein prefaced what he concluded to be his top advice with this, “don’t believe anything is necessarily true just because you see it in the newspapers, or hear it on the radio, or everyone else believes it.”[1] He said all of that to drive home the best advice he could give, which was, “always think for yourself.”
Dr. Albert Einstein and Dr. Frank Aydelotte, Swarthmore College | Picture Courtesy of https://www.ias.edu/ideas/roberts-aydelotte
Why would Einstein need to advise a group of Rhodes Scholars to “always think for themselves, isn’t that a given? The scholars were among some of the most brilliant minds.
- No one is exempt from peer pressure, herd mentality, or forced submission/conversion. By force submission/conversion, I am talking about slavery, the Nazi regime, and my personal opinion— the aggressive campaigns of the LGBTQ+ community —to force submission and conversion to its ideologies.
- Even the most brilliant of minds can succumb to the conclusions of others without ever thinking to test said decisions. We see this in the field of science, politics, and religion.
Dembski and company wrote, “corrupt people can bend science and faith to their agenda.”[2] However, corruption cannot change what is true, only its interpretation.
What is Dual Revelation?
Dual revelation is the concept that, “God is the author of both the figurative book of nature (God’s world) and the literal book of Scripture (God’s written word).”[3]
“Record (Book) of Nature vs Science”
The Book of Nature reveals God’s truth and “Science is human’s interpretation of the facts of nature.”
(Reasons To Believe, Read more)
The Book of Scripture, the “Bible vs Theology”
The Book of Scripture reveals God’s truth and “Theology is human’s interpretation of the Bible’s words.”
(Reasons To Believe, Read more)
Each of us have the privilege to think for oneself via science and theology. However, thinking is not merely dismissing a theory simply feel indifferent toward a particular worldview. Thinking comes with the responsibility of not bending science and theology to further ones agenda. Instead thinking, should be the pursuit of truth.
“The Belgic Confession (a protestant reform confession of 1561) is perhaps the best historical example setting forth the two-books metaphor: ‘We know Him by two means: first, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe, since that universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book in which all creatures, great and small, are as letters to make us ponder the invisible things of God….Second, He makes Himself known to us more openly by His holy and divine Word, as much as we need in this life for His glory and for the salvation of His own.’”[4]
Note that I am using “thinking” in this blog almost synonymously with “reason.” The Christian faith, like science is not devoid of reason. The exact manner in which we believe God has called us to love Him includes using our minds. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.“[5] 1 Peter 3:15b also admonishes believers to use their minds “Always be prepared to give a defence to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you.”[6] And finally, God commands us to test every spirit and everything because false prophets exist.[7] Einstein got it right, and so did the Beatles. Think for yourself, could studying the Book of Nature and the Book of Scripture truly give us the answers to all life’s questions? Could these books be true?
Think For Yourself (Remastered 2009)
Duration: 2:19
User: n/a – Added: 6/17/18
| 1. I’ve got a word or twoTo say about the things that you doYou’re telling all those liesAbout the good things that we can haveIf we close our eyes | 2. I left you far behindThe ruins of the life that you had in mindAnd though you still can’t seeI know your mind’s made upYou’re gonna cause more misery | 4. Although your mind’s opaqueTry thinking more if just for your own sakeThe future still looks goodAnd you’ve got time to rectifyAll the things that you should |
| 2. Do what you want to doAnd go where you’re going toThink for yourself‘Cause I won’t be there with you | 3. Do what you want to doAnd go where you’re going toThink for yourself‘Cause I won’t be there with you | 5. Do what you want to doAnd go where you’re going toThink for yourself‘Cause I won’t be there with you |
6. Do what you want to do
And go where you’re going to
Think for yourself
‘Cause I won’t be there with you
Think for yourself
‘Cause I won’t be there with you[8]
[1] William A. Dembski, Casey Luskin, Joseph M. Holde, The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2021), 23.
[3] Kenneth Keathley, J. B. Stump, Joe Aguirre, Old Earth or Evolutionary Creation: Discussing Origins with Reasons To Believe and Biologos, (Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2017), 36.
[5] Matthew 22:37, (Berean Literal Bible, BLB).
[6] 1 Peter 3:15b, (Berean Standard Bible, BSB)
[7] 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:21, (NKJV)
[8] Songwriters: George Harrison: Think for Yourself lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC