Ephesians 4:29 English Standard Version (ESV) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Placing the word critical into my favorite bible search engine rendered this verse. The word critical does not appear in the ESV but the code writers did an excellent job of rendering a valuable piece of advice about critical thinking.

In the world critical thinking is defined as the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.

I object.

When it comes to issues of faith it is not wise to be critical. It is unkind to object to every point being made because intellect tells you a complete analysis of the issue has not been made.

Rather than saying “I object” how about saying, “Can we talk about this?”

Seldom, if ever, do we have the opportunity to have a Doctor of Theology in a study group.

A good study group should have the opportunity to ask questions without being criticized. There should be someone who has studied the Word with some level of diligence to help move discussions along without corrupting the conversation.

Rarely is the term “you are wrong” uttered and should be avoided unless a blatantly false theology is going to endanger a participant’s salvation. Those occasions are rare but they can happen and we must be on guard against false theology.

There were times when I wished I had used the words, “wait a minute.”

Critical thinking should not foster criticism. 

One good approach could be, “Let’s see what the Word has to say about that.”

Luke 1:12, 59-61 English Standard Version

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.”

Times were when family names meant something. Here God has told Zechariah and Elizabeth what the child should be named. So what is in a name?

Honor and tradition meant something at one time and I cannot say it holds those same values today. My brother was honored to be named after both of his grandfathers. At one point in his life he decided everyone had to call him by a name he gave himself. I considered that disrespectful as I would have loved his name and honored my grandfathers.

Wives these days do not even have to take their husband’s name. There is no disrespect in breaking that tradition. So what is in a name?

I had a neighbor who changed his family name to Christianson. He did not attend church and broke off all affiliation of fellowship with those he knew. Was he a Christian because he changed his name? I will say I believed him to be a Christian in manner and communication, so what did it matter that he changed his name?

I honor my father and mother in their choice in naming me but I do not particularly like it. People laugh at me when I give them my name. But what is in a name?

Isaiah 62:2 English Standard Version (ESV) The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.

This name I carry on earth is a sojourner’s name, temporary, and some day my Lord will give me a new name and I shall carry that name with me in eternity.

What does it matter what I am called? It is how I act and how I communicate that matters.