The way a Christian thinks about the world is important. The sources of information that shape the thoughts and views of the Christian mind are critical to building and sustaining a balanced and Godly view of the world. The question then... does such a "God influenced" view of the world make you closed minded?
A world view is a set of presuppositions and beliefs that someone uses to interpret and form opinions about his humanity, purpose in life, duties in the world, responsibilities to family, interpretation of truth, social issues, and so on. A Christian should view all these things, and more, guided by the light of truth as found only in the Bible.
The Bible has much to say about the nature of man, the world, purpose, truth, morality, etc., and so does the world. More often than not, the secular world view is in conflict with the biblical world view. For example: Where the world asserts that man evolved, the Bible says he was created and ultimately responsible to God. Where the world says that morals are relative, the Bible says they are absolute. Where the world says that there is no need of salvation and redemption, the Bible clearly states that all people are in need of deliverance from their sin. The contrast is obvious and profound. Both cannot be true.
The secular world exalts man to the apex of evolutionary development, the sovereign over all he dominates. God is relegated to the belief systems of the uneducated and superstitious. Such opposing views are polar opposites.
Christians are frequently singled out and criticized for being narrow minded. You hear a lot about having an "open-mind" and being flexible and adaptive to social and cultural change. Being “opened minded” is one of the biggest fallacies of secular humanistic societies. People who think they have an open mind, are actually very closed-minded to real truth.
The fruit of the secular world view can be seen all around us . As we observe society, it is evident that not all is well. Television has degenerated into a bordello of violence, soft-pornography, anti-family sit-coms, commercials that appeal to immediate gratification, and senseless children's cartoons that are full of violence, occultism, and disobedience to parents. It often portrays religious people as insecure, ignorant, inflexible and bigoted.
The Media is extremely biased and when speaking in areas where religious and secular morals collide, it uniformly presents information with loaded words. Instead of "pro-life" we hear "anti-abortion rights." Instead of "conservative" it is "right wing fundamentalist." Other words are used such as "Bible thumpers," "censorship," "intolerance," "bigoted," and many more slurs for labeling the closed minded.
As one considers the way a Christian thinks about non-biblical things, you must always consider the subject matter. A Christian ought to be narrow minded toward the secular philosophies of men and broad minded toward the truth of God found in His Word. Further, a Christian ought to be open minded toward the doctrine of Christ and closed minded toward the doctrines of men, which are in fact self-willed deviations from the truth of the Bible and therefore heresies. A Christian ought to be conservative when it comes to a “Thus saith the Lord” and liberal minded when it comes to giving of ourselves and our means to spreading the gospel and caring for those in need.
The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 speaks to a Christian about the kind of things we should think about. He said, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Just as important, is how a Christians thinks about things that do not explicitly involve true doctrine and faith. How you react to things of the secular world and live your life will shape how others see you... as narrow or broad minded, open or closed minded, conservative or liberal minded.
There is life in truth. There is security in being loyal and faithful to genuine truth. There is only one truth in this universe and it comes from God. If you consider me closed-minded because I believe that the Bible is God's Word and the source of all truth, and that Jesus is the only Christ, then so be it. I’m okay with being viewed as narrow-minded when it comes to believing and living on God’s truth.
There's not a more closed-minded group of people today than those who have adopted the thinking of moral relativism and the many facets of New Age teachings. Most people today have been infected with New Age thinking and don't even realize it. If you believe that there are many paths to God, then you are seriously infected! People who stubbornly refused to let go of the notion that goodness, kindness and sincerity is all that matters, are truly infected. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Bible was written for humanity... to guide our lives and save us! God's will is revealed in His Word. Yet, so many people today foolishly think that God will honor their sinful self-righteousness, false religion, and misguided sincerity. Such thinking is delusional, as Matthew 7:22-33 warns, Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
People who are truly open-minded will accept the possibility that Jesus Christ just might be the ONLY way to salvation. An open-minded person would eagerly investigate the possibility that God is leading you to His truth. To deny this is the epitome of being closed-minded. Most people today are very close-minded, and hostile towards the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Someday, the world will be caught off-guard and unprepared to face the reality of real truth. Closed mindedness toward the Word of God is an ever pressing danger.
We need to be “open–minded” like the Bereans who received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily, to see for themselves whether the things they had heard were true (Acts 17:11). When they heard teaching, they examined it thoroughly, they proved it to be truth, accepted it and lived by it.
Therefore, let us consider our own state of mind which can be best examined by our reaction to the truth when it is shown to us. How do you react when confronted with real truth? Are Christians really closed–minded people... or just convinced that their minds are shaped by the only knowledge and wisdom that matters, God’s Truth?
