The Bible is a diverse collection of writings that span more than a millennium and that were written by a number of different authors. With such diversity in the Bible, is it really possible to “think biblically?” What exactly does that mean?
Brandon Burks seeks to answer this question with his new Thinking God’s Thoughts: An Introduction to a Pilgrim Worldview (Fontes, 2021). The book is a clear and simple explanation of how approach Scripture in order to know God and, in doing so, learn how to live for him and not for ourselves. You might consider it a layman’s introduction to basic theology and hermeneutics.
The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 lays out a series of foundational positions that undergird the rest of the book. Burks views Scripture as inspired and inerrant based on its testimony about itself (ch. 1), which allows us to see what it says about God (ch. 2) and mankind (ch. 3). God is God, and we are not, Burks tells us. Ch. 4 explains the difference between natural and special revelation, and ch. 5 presents how, through special revelation, we can become spiritually alive and think and live in new ways. Ch. 6 further explores how God covenants with his people, and ch. 7 concludes by explaining the Trinity and how this helps us shape a worldview that embraces mystery as part of the entire theologizing process.
Part 2 covers “Categories and Distinctions.” If we are to think God’s thoughts, then we must be able approach Scripture responsibly and avoid common pitfalls. Burks addresses how to let Scripture interpret Scripture (ch. 8), to think concretely given what Scriptures actually says rather than abstractly about problems we can conjure up (ch. 9), how to hold in our minds two truths that seem contradictory but yet are both taught in Scripture (ch. 10), how to reconcile causes and responsibility for good and evil (ch. 11), how to understand the decreed and the revealed wills of God (ch. 12), and how we must be sensitive to the progressive nature of revelation as we try to apply the Bible in our lives (ch. 13).
Part 3 includes “Practical Considerations.” Many Christians would benefit from reading this section. It emphasizes the importance of meditating on Scripture (ch. 14), gives seven basic hermeneutical principles (ch. 15), and explains the difference between four types of theology: exegetical, biblical, systematic, historical, and practical (ch. 16). Finally, Burks concludes with a chapter on the familial and ecclesial context and the pilgrim outlook of the Christian life (ch. 17-18).
The plan of the book is executed well. Burks is able to cover a number of foundational issues for Christian life, faith, and thought that every Christian would benefit from considering. The book falls into the Reformed tradition, as the reader may have guessed by the chapters such as the Two Wills of God (ch. 12) and the emphasis that God is God and we are not (echoing the emphasis of many Reformed thinkers, especially van Til and Bavinck). Those who grew up in a Reformed tradition will find this volume a welcomed introduction to more organized study of Reformed theology. Those not in the Reformed tradition will appreciate getting a concise and clear exposition of major emphases of the Reformed tradition.
But one of the best aspects of the book is its emphasis on needing to read Scripture responsibly in order to know God well. The chapters differentiating the types of theologies may be new to many church goers, college students, or early seminarians. The seven basic hermeneutical principles would be well kept in mind by any lay person, and pastors may find the list to be useful for teaching to others. The emphasis on the familial and ecclesial context of living the Christian life is welcomed, although perhaps more attention could have been paid to families that lack the traditional two-parent structure.
An appendix includes a list of fifty-five books for the growing Christian, divided into beginner, basic, and intermediate level.
Thinking God’s Thoughts is a useful book to have on your shelf to read and absorb these concepts for the first time or to have on your shelf to share with others or to use as an aid for teaching ideas.
Buy it now from Fontes Press or from Amazon, available in paperback and Kindle.