Well, good morning friends, and we're on week number two. We're looking at logic here on Technical Thursday with Let's Talk on Radio Pulpit. I'm Rocky Stevenson, pastor of Benoni Bible Church, and what a joy it is to have you with me today. We're looking today at the importance of logical thinking in a biblical context. Now, so welcome once more to this, this Technical Thursday. We want to really delve deep into logic from a biblical perspective. And our focus is on understanding the vital importance of logical thinking within the context of the broader scriptures. And as we journey together today through the scriptures, we will uncover profound truths about how logic and logical reasoning then aligns with the very essence of the Christian faith. I want us to understand the roots of logic in the Bible. And let's begin by acknowledging that logic is not a foreign concept in the Bible. It is woven into the fabric of God's Word. In Proverbs 2 verse 6 we read, For Yahweh gives wisdom, from his mouth comes knowledge and discernment. And here God himself is the source of wisdom and knowledge, grounding the very idea of logic in divine understanding, logic in its essence. is the reflection of God's ordered thinking. That's what logic really is. It is the reflection of God's ordered thinking. Now yesterday we had Wisdom Wednesday and you might be wondering, well what's the difference between logic and wisdom? Now logic in a sense is quite academic while wisdom is very much practical in many respects. So you get that, you get the wisdom element on the Wednesday and you get the more academic level on the Thursday with technical Thursday. But let me explain the difference between logic and wisdom and I hope that this is helpful as a bit of a contrast. as you consider logic and what is logical in a sense. Although they can intersect in certain contexts, and they do intersect in certain contexts, let's break them down and break down the difference between the two. Logic, as a definition, logic refers to the formal study of reasoning and the principles of valid argumentation. It involves the use of systematic methods to reach a conclusion based on given premises. It then has a specific focus. Logic is concerned with the structure of arguments, the relationship between propositions. You know, what argument are you putting forward? What type of, what leads you to that argument? and the principles that then govern valid reasoning. What is valid reasoning and what is invalid reasoning? What is circular reasoning? What is consistent reasoning? It aims to ensure the conclusions are derived logically from the premises. So what premises are you making and how do they logically make that? Now somebody like the Apostle Paul was absolutely brilliant with logic. When you read through something like the book of Romans He approaches the book of Romans like a lawyer, like a Jewish lawyer in the way in which he argues and there's so much logic in the way in which he puts those 16 chapters of the book of Romans together. In application, logic is widely used in mathematics, philosophy, computer science and various academic disciplines including theology as well and what we would find even when it comes to the understanding of God's Word. It helps in analyzing and constructing arguments, evaluating the validity of claims and identifying fallacies in reasoning. Something like logic would be used in apologetics and the way in which we would even speak to those that are of a different faith and being able to reason together. As an example, you could take this just as a means of explaining what logic looks like. If A implies B and B implies C, then A implies C. In other words, if A equals B and B equals C, then by implication, in logical sense, C is the same as A. So that's logic. This is a logical inference based on the transitive property, demonstrating a valid logical connection between propositions. What proposition am I giving you? That A equals B, and that B equals C. So therefore, by implication, A equals C, and that would be logical. Wisdom, on the other hand, he has a definition for wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge and experience judicially to make sound judgments, discerning the right course of action and navigating complex situations effectively. So there's a bit of a difference between logic and wisdom. The focus of wisdom is this. Wisdom emphasizes practical insights, discernment, ethical decision-making, and understanding the deeper truths of life. It involves a deep understanding of the human nature, moral values, and the consequences of actions. In application, wisdom is applied in various life situations, including relationships, leadership, moral dilemmas, personal growth. It involves empathy, and compassion and holistic understandings of circumstances. As an example, a wise person might not only know the logical steps to solve a problem, but also understand the emotional nuances involved. they may offer a solution that not only works logically, but also is considerate of the feelings and the well-being of those that are involved. So some of the key differences, when it comes to the focus and the scope, logic is primarily concerned with the structure of reasoning, while wisdom encompasses this broader spectrum of understanding, including moral and ethical dimensions. In a sense, you could say there's a bit of a difference between logic and wisdom in the sense of the mind and the heart. You know, what's happening cognitively, what is the logic, and then what's happening at the heart level and what's happening at the compassion and the human level and the experience level. As far as a source is concerned with this, logic relies on formal rules and principles. In a sense, there's a science to this, often derived from mathematical and even philosophical frameworks, where wisdom is often derived from life experience, culture, moral values, and the understanding of human nature. In application, there's a bit of a difference, because logic is applied in formal arguments and academic contexts, while wisdom finds its application in everyday life, especially in decision-making, moral judgment, and interpersonal relationships. In summary, logic deals with the formal rules of reasoning, while wisdom involves the broader and the often nuanced application of knowledge experience to navigate life effectively and ethically. So that's just a broader view of why logic and wisdom are different and why it's important for us to be studying logic and of course this is Technical Thursday so we do want to get a bit more technical about these things. Let's think about logical thinking and faith. The Bible challenges us to engage our minds actively. In Isaiah 1 verse 18, God invites us saying, Come now and let us reason together, says Yahweh. Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. The divine call to reasoning emphasizes that faith and logic and logical thinking are not Adverse, they're not adversaries, but rather they are allies. Logical thinking allows us to explore the depths of our faith. Questioning, understanding, and reinforcing the very fundamentals of our belief. We have a thinking faith. We are to think about these things. We are to question. We are to try and put things together in our minds so that we would understand. This is part of what our faith actually is as Christians. It is absolutely logical. As a biblical illustration, the Bereans come to mind in Acts 17 verse 11. What a beautiful illustration of the marriage between faith and logical thinking that's found there with the Bereans. As this passage states now, these were more noble-minded, than those in Thessalonica. In other words, they were more logical than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so. The Bereans exemplified logical thinking within their faith. They critically examined the teachings against the scriptures. The diligent and this diligent pursuit of truth is a testament of the compatibility of faith and logic. God's truth revealed through the Scriptures is inherently logical. When we study the Bible, we encounter the logical unfolding of God's plan for humanity. From the prophecies in the Old Testament, finding fulfillment in the New Testament, to the consistent moral teachings, Every aspect of God's revelation aligns with logical coherence. This logical consistency affirms the divine authorship of the scriptures. As a biblical illustration then further, Jesus was absolutely logical in his responses even to the Pharisees. If you go through the New Testament and you're looking at The book of Matthew in particular, you can see so much of the logical reasoning of the Lord Jesus with all of those enemies of his that came up against him, whether it was the Sadducees or the Pharisees. He would always have this logical response. If you consider Jesus' response during his earthly ministry when challenged He responded with logical arguments that silenced his critics. In Matthew 22 verse 15 to 22 Jesus responds to the Pharisees question about paying taxes and this exemplifies logical and reasoned thinking. His answers not only addressed the specific question but they also delved into larger theological principles. and that showcases the depth of his logical approach. He says, okay, well, whose face is on this denarii? Oh, that is Caesar's face. So, whose image, he says, rather? Oh, the image of Caesar? Well, give to him the one whose image, you know, give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's. Well, whose image have we been made in? We have been made in the image of God. So we are to give ourselves to God, in other words. And so what Jesus was doing was absolutely logical in the way in which he was speaking to these Pharisees. And in conclusion, logical thinking is not an Extraneous skill for believers. It is a God-given tool embedded in our faith. As we continue, even in the series, I want to encourage you to embrace the alliance between faith and logical reasoning. That's what I'm hoping to achieve with Technical Thursday going forward in this exploration of logic. I want you to follow the example of the Bereans, where you examine the scriptures diligently, where you think about what has been said to you, even when it comes to the examining of what others would say on radio pulpit or what I say on radio pulpit. Go and search the scriptures. Go and see, are these things true? Is there logic behind this? Is this actually logical? Because God is logical. He is orderly. Our God is not a God of disorder. He does not say one thing one day and then another thing another day. He sticks to his word and he has integrity. He must be allowed to say what he means and mean what he says. And I've mentioned that so many times in Technical Thursday. That's kind of a bit of a catchphrase. Let God have the integrity of saying what he means and meaning what he says. For our God is logical. We can approach our faith with a reverence that it deserves by engaging our minds and deepening our understanding. By so doing, we not only strengthen our faith but also glorify the logical God who created us with this capacity to reason, We reason as we go to the Lord. We are to be childlike in our faith, but we are not to be childish in our faith. We need to be able to be clear thinking and have a mind that is set upon the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Lord bless you. Thank you for taking time out your day to listen to to me here on Radio Pulpit and may He continue to guide you as you seek to honor His Word by thinking through what His Word says. May your faith even then be enriched in the Lord God. Amen.