Over Analysis or Just Appropriate Critical Thinking?

Do you ever find yourself over-analyzing life? The phrase "analysis paralysis" may accurately describe how I think about life and stuff. I have this working assumption that most people don't suffer from this malady; I assume most people merrily proceed with their lives oblivious to those of us who second-guess the norm. Perhaps that is a bad assumption, but that is how I feel sometimes.

Take church life for example: I have been in church since I was a baby. Ha! I even remember the nursery I was in at the Flomich Avenue Baptist Church in Holly Hill, Florida. Since then I have moved to Church of God as a teen, joined a Presbyterian church for a year while engaged to Bethanne, was in a non-denominational church for over 6 years in Chicago, then another non-denominational church in Park Ridge, Illinois. Then in 2000 we began our life in a Baptist church in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood. Now since 2011 we have been members of Harvest Bible Church in Crystal Lake. In all of these churches I have wrestled with how church is done: the doctrines, practices, structure, and preaching. Yes, even as a youngster I recall thinking and evaluating sermons I heard. I remember the pastor at Flomich always had extended altar calls, singing all 6 verses of Just As I Am.

At my stage in life, having left vocational church ministry in 2011, I find that my formal theological training and my life experience has produced an almost debilitating side-effect: I over-analyze everything. I can't turn it off! I was taught in college how to develop critical thinking skills (as if I needed anyone to teach me how to be critical!). I go over and over things in my head until I almost explode. At least I have matured enough to tone down personal criticism (at least in what I say out loud).

Truthfully, I find great value in reflective observation:

What I fear, however, is that while such a process is invaluable and I encourage people to develop critical thinking skills, it has a downside in Christian discipleship. Why? Because I feel I must test everything. I analyze everything that is said, especially in a sermon. I never take things at face value - I have to test it against what I believe Scripture affirms. It can be exhausting and discouraging to say the least.

Yes, I know that churches of many kinds operate in a belief that they hold to Scripture. Yet so many denominations hold different teachings and positions, even if they have a high view of Scripture. The reason for these differences is hermeneutics: "the study of the principles of interpretation, i.e., the consideration of the theories behind exegesis" (Voelz, James W. 1997. What Does This Mean? [Concordia Scholarship Today] [Kindle Locations 6502-6503]. Concordia Publishing House. Kindle Edition.). In other words, our working theories of how to determine what the Bible affirms are applied within a Christian congregational setting, which has direct bearing on operating systems of belief. It underscores what is taught and what is emphasized by every Bible teacher and pastor who uses Scripture as the basis for their sermons.

Now that I am not in vocational ministry I am taking time to re-examine my personal theories of biblical interpretation and how it is practiced in church settings. My prayer is that God will help me center on Christ and develop a personal discipleship regimen that conquers my analytically-challenged processing. In other words, I hope to re-affirm what is most important and yet come to terms with some developing discoveries I feel God is showing me: He is much bigger than I ever knew! Apparent differences between genuine believers may find the Bible affirms both positions in ways that will blow us all away. I guess what I am saying is: I am not content to hold to the party line of a particular denomination, because I think true Christian unity can be fostered when thoughtful reflection of our hermeneutics are pursued. Assumptions are the enemy of true unity, and authentic Christian growth.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NET)

Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.