I always laugh when a new study comes out proving what we Christians pretty much already know to be true. For instance, not too long ago a study came out saying that your brain is basically like a muscle, and if you don't exercise your mind it will deteriorate like any other muscle in your body.
Duh! Did you really need to spend all that time and money doing that research? I guess if you don't have a Christian worldview then you have to figure these things out on your own. We who are of the faith already knew what the "experts" discovered: God gave us minds to reflect upon his word. If we do not carry out our duty, then we will suffer the consequences.
But if you want to do some more frivolous research, here is a hypothesis: Christians have the deepest and most vivid imaginations. (I am tempted even to go so far as to say that our dreams are more vibrant and more profound in content). My theory rests upon the following:
1. A Christian's imagination develops more than their unbelieving counterpart by default. Perhaps I should say more bluntly, "because of their sin." Christians seek to spend time in worship. But we are not perfect. Indeed, we are "prone to wander." Moreover, the dark forces of hell are the most active at that point to prevent us from the means of grace (and prevent their territory from being assaulted!). They work overtime to distract us from prayer and meditation.
All this is to say that when we come to prayer, the preached Word, or the sacraments our imaginations naturally begin to kick in. Our minds are stimulated with spiritual things when we attend to the means of grace. Then, when we move off course from our duty (though this be wicked beyond all recognition), the mind is already primed and running.
2. The second way our imaginations become stronger is simply by the content of the gospel. I mentioned in a sermon a few weeks ago how one psychologist commented on the transformation one undergoes when they become a Christian. The mind begins to expand, he said, because it is filled with the greatest ideas a man's mind could ever comprehend."
3. This may be a bit of a repeat, but it should be brought out. The Christian's mind is regularly "exercised." (not in the sense of demonic removal, the other kind of exercise). Christians regularly beef up their brain muscles through meditation on the Word read and preached, reflection on the meaning of the sacraments, conversation with God and his people, journaling (blogging!) and other acts of piety. As our experts mentioned above showed us, this daily regiment can only serve to stimulate one's mental faculties.
4. This one I would like to be tested if one were going to do an in-depth study: Christians are involved with fewer mind numbing activities. We all know that it didn't get the name "boob tube" for no reason and we know that kids today are becoming mentally incapacitated because they are glued to their Disney channel.
I know that Christian kids are not immune to it, but I would postulate that Christians, on the whole, watch less television and fewer movies. For one reason, they have more to do by way of church activities. They also are typically more selective about what they watch and when.
My daughter is one example. We allow her a very limited amount of video time (even if it is a "Christian" video). She is then forced to play during the rest of her free time. Her mind is then free to develop stories with her dolls, construct castles with her blocks, and even make up mystery dishes for dinner (this one I'm not overly fond of :).
5. But even when Christians take time to watch their shows they watch it with more discernment. The mind is not as passive because they are "testing the spirits" and discerning truth. The shows that they watch even become stimulants for the imagination as they have time away from the screen. Those who are glued to it have their minds force fed plots. Those who are away allow themselves to enter and develop the storyline on their own.
Someone might object to these notions. They may accuse me of going too far. But perhaps that would prove my point: What if I am imagining it all?
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