Explore the relationship between evidence-based faith and seeking learning. The hosts discuss the importance of critical thinking and a common language. They highlight the skill of mental flexibility and the need for contextualization. Learn about the Kirtland apostasy and a secret temple meeting. Discover the power of Christ-like attributes and critical thinking in becoming effective disciples.
Faith can be strengthened by accumulating evidence of unseen truths through diligent learning and studying reliable sources.
Intelligent and critically thinking individuals evaluate evidence using scripture, prophetic teachings, and the confirmation of the Holy Ghost, as well as historical thinking skills.
Mental flexibility and contextualization are essential in navigating faith crises, allowing individuals to adapt beliefs in light of new evidence and understand historical events within their appropriate contexts.
Deep dives
The Importance of Evidence-Based Faith-Seeking
Faith is viewed as the level of trust and commitment towards a truth claim based on the degree of evidence accumulated for its truthfulness. The Lord's counsel in D&C 88:118 to seekers without faith is to diligently seek learning and wisdom from the best books, suggesting that evidence-based faith-seeking can strengthen one's faith. By combining good thinking skills with the study of reliable source material, individuals can gather evidences of unseen realities, allowing them to calibrate their confidence in the truthfulness of these claims.
Evaluating Evidence in Doctrinal and Historical Context
Intelligent and critically thinking Latter-day Saints evaluate evidence by applying the three lenses: scripture, prophetic teachings, and the confirmation of the Holy Ghost. This approach helps in discerning whether a doctrinal truth claim is consistent, repeated, and confirmed by reliable sources. Additionally, individuals learn historical thinking skills to contextualize and evaluate historical events and accounts. Evaluating evidence from various sources, considering motives, factual accuracy, and comparing multiple accounts are crucial in discerning historical truths. This evidence-based approach helps individuals differentiate between good and bad history and refine their understanding of God, prophets, and the Church.
The Skills of Mental Flexibility and Contextualization
Mental flexibility allows individuals to identify and challenge their assumptions, modifying them when new evidence emerges. This skill set enables a willingness to rethink deeply held beliefs and adapt them in light of new information. Contextualization is the ability to put uncomfortable facts into their appropriate historical, theological, or cultural context. It prompts individuals to consider whether certain actions or beliefs were seen as ordinary or strange in their respective historical periods. Learning to approach faith crises with mental flexibility and contextualization enables individuals to navigate challenges, reconcile conflicting information, and ultimately maintain a strong faith rooted in evidence-based understanding.
Different Perspectives on Apostasy
This podcast episode explores how individuals handle apostasy differently during challenging times in the history of the Church. It highlights the importance of evaluating evidence and making sound judgments. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball serve as positive examples of individuals who remained faithful by examining their assumptions, practicing humility, and seeking guidance through prayer. Their ability to navigate complex situations with flexibility and faithfulness allowed them to stay true to their convictions and support the Prophet Joseph Smith.
The Toolbox of Truth: Attributes and Critical Thinking Skills
The podcast emphasizes that when facing faith crises or challenges, it is crucial to combine critical thinking skills with attributes like humility, regular prayer, scripture study, and devotion to God. These attributes create a foundation that supports the exercise of critical thinking, enabling individuals to evaluate evidence, challenge assumptions, and arrive at better conclusions. The importance of humility, metacognition, and consistent spiritual maintenance is highlighted through the examples of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and others who navigated difficult situations and stayed faithful to their beliefs.
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for,” Hebrews 11:1 reads, “the evidence of things not seen.” Hmm. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Does this mean faith is the evidence we have of things not seen? Or could we say it this way: faith is the level of confidence we feel toward a truth-claim or proposed reality which we have not seen based on the degree of evidence we have accumulated of its truthfulness and existence?
If so, is this why the Lord’s prescription in D&C 88:118 for those who “have not faith” is for them to seek learning? Is he suggesting that by diligently studying wisdom from the “best books” we will find evidences of the unseen that will enlarge our faith?
Today on Church History Matters Casey and Scott explore this idea of evidence-based faith-seeking as a way to understand each of the thinking skills and mental frameworks they've explored throughout this series. Could it be that for some of us at least, the best way to strengthen our faith is to gather evidences of the unseen by combining good thinking tools with a study of great source material? Quite possibly. But as today’s discussion makes plain, there is also a deep need to add to this approach a few crucial attributes as well.
