Comments on: What Is An Open Mind?

By: Mike S.

Mike S. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:05:16 +0000

This post was a great encouragement as I have encountered much of this idea, that if you aren’t liberal than you are close-minded, in college. It is incredibly defeating and a word for those that are battling it, we have to fight off becoming overly defensive and becoming close-minded ourselves.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:37:57 +0000

@Kris: Thanks for stopping by and sharing your comments. Certainly experiences can cloud our ability to objectively analyze a situation. These experiences form much of the presuppositions we have.

I still have a part of me that wants to believe that even though we have certain experiences and presuppositions we can make near objective analysis of truth claims.

By: Kris

Kris — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:26:03 +0000

Good post Chris. Overall, I have to agree on the sentiment of what you have said. Personally, I do not see gay marriage as immoral, but work to understand where people are coming from when they make the statement. I have a brilliant friend who happens to be a devout Catholic and he has explained in great detail what his beliefs were on the matter. Though I still disagree with him, I can tell you I wouldn’t make the statement that he has a closed mind due to his opinion.
One thing that I feel is worth bringing up on the ‘open mind’ is; I believe a person’s perception, or, ‘open mind’ is subject to the causes and conditions that have occurred in their life. Each person has come to certain conclusions due to their life experiences.

Jeremy, as someone who grew up as a Christian and walked away from it after honest and sincere inquiry and questioning, I don’t necessarily agree with “use the Bible as a medium to share the gospel with those that don’t accept it as truth (in other words they have closed their minds to it)”. As a non-Christian, though I do not use it as my path I have many friends and family that do and find it as a positive influence in their life — which I am happy about.

take care.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:58:14 +0000

@Jeremy; Good points. I also use a more classical approach to apologetics. And also agree that having an “open mind” doesn’t mean we have to accept everything as I pointed out.

By: Jeremy Lutz

Jeremy Lutz — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:07:10 +0000

This is a great post Chris.
The ability to see issues from another’s point of view is important. Often stating and explaining that you understand the others position and why it is important to them before sharing your own will help others to be open minded to your views.
I find that you cannot use the Bible as a medium to share the gospel with those that don’t accept it as truth (in other words they have closed their minds to it). The explanations used from it will only become matters of irrational debate for the listener.
This is when the Word living in you becomes most important. As these souls see God working in you, as you have opportunity share your experiences with God to them and the reasons why you believe other than “ it’s in the Bible” , then you will have some footing to be able to start sharing the Word.
We have to help people be opened minded by being open minded. This means that we should always listen and try to understand the other person’s position and demonstrate to them that we do. Being open minded does not mean that we have to accept their position however.