The Power of Participating Partnership with Profound Perception: A Practical Approach to Decision Making and Problem Solving

Abstract

In a fractured, complex, and chaotic world, excellence in critical, caring, and creative thinking skills are crucial to effective Christian living. The author’s research, a qualitative inquiry and interdisciplinary literature review and analysis, suggests that one’s theological perspective and belief system concerning the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit may profoundly affect the ability of the individual and the body of Christ to rationally pursue Kingdom work, whether through evangelism, discipleship, or merely survival. Christians, regardless of theology, philosophy, worship styles, polity, geographical location, culture, or tradition, intending to positively affect their world, should consider adopting an active engagement, a participating partnership, with “Profound Perception”, the logical rational component of the mind of Christ which is normally identified with a compassionate state of mind for service. Proper preparation and exercise of human thinking skills combined with the engagement in a participating partnership with profound perception enables one to effectively deal with the realities of life in a time of extreme complexity, cognitive dissonance, excessive deceit, and distortions of reality. The research indicates it is possible for followers of Christ, engaged in an active partnership with the mind of Christ in the pursuit of solutions and resolutions for complex and wicked problems along with the creation of master pieces of art, literature, and music glorifying Christ Jesus, to be successful in their endeavors. The intent is not to defend or to attack any of the many theological perspectives concerning the charismata, but rather to explore the possibilities of integrating our mind and the charismata with the mind of Christ. An examination of one’s theology in light of how best to effectively and efficiently engage at the highest level possible with the mind of Christ in all that they do seems in the best interest of the church engaged in a global mission.