If you have been trained in the ICOC, the title probably sounds wrong to you. If I start talking about being critical, most disciples would think I am talking about a sin. But Webster's dictionary starts with the following definition of critic: "one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter ... involving a judgement of its value, truth or righteousness ...". That is, criticism involves giving adequate justification or sound reasons for our conclusions, as opposed to appeals to authority or opinions (see D Carson, Exegetical Fallacies, p16).
As an academic and educator, I view the ability to think critically as the most valuable part of a university education (certainly more important than the facts that are crammed into the brain the night before an exam). The fact that many of our church leaders are university graduates, who are using their talents and training for God, suggests that the church also values this quality. Leaders are continually required to distinguish not only right from wrong and good from bad, but also good from better. Someone who does not think critically is a follower, not a leader.
Consider the following scriptures:
How did we come to view criticism as sin? I think we trained each other to think this way, by promoting unity in action, instead of unity in heart and purpose (1Cor 1:10; 1Peter 3:8). In practice, we expected each other to follow instructions without asking questions (therefore also without thinking). It was a case of "the first to speak is right" (but see Proverbs 18:17). You have probably heard people use expressions like "obeying advice", but I bet you have never heard these two words together outside the church!
Unity in mind and purpose comes via communication, not submission. Many of the problems we have had with leadership were caused by poor communication. In my experience, leaders usually had good reasons for their decisions, but they seldom told their disciples. So the disciples learnt to follow advice and become more dependent on the leader, instead of learning to think, and developing their own capacity to lead others.
Disciples will not mature unless they are trusted for who they are and entrusted with the responsibility for their own decisions (1 Corinthians 13:7; Romans 15:14). The basic principle of discipleship: we train others to do what we do (Luke 6:40; 2 Timothy 2:2) also applies to leading and decision-making.
Finally, critical thinking is NOT an excuse for disunity, rebellion,
bitterness or bad attitudes. One suggestion I found very helpful for seeing
the difference between good and bad criticism was to write out all my critical
thoughts and sort them into the following 3 categories:
(written May2002; revised Jan2003, Oct2003)