Sometimes, it feels like being a Christian means we’re expected to just accept things without question.
But if we’re honest, faith is messy, full of doubts, and deeper questions.
It’s not about blindly following, but about really wrestling with what we believe, challenging ourselves, and looking for the deeper truth behind it all.
For those of us who think critically about our faith, the journey isn’t always straightforward—it’s filled with moments of reflection, discomfort, and growth.
In this article, we’re exploring seven signs that show you’re not just going through the motions—you’re actively engaging with your beliefs.
1) Unafraid of questions
It’s no secret that faith is complex.
And being a Christian isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition.
As a Christian who thinks critically about your beliefs, you’re not afraid to ask questions.
You don’t shy away from the tough stuff but instead, embrace it as an opportunity for growth and understanding.
You’re not threatened by doubt.
In fact, you welcome it as a chance to delve deeper into your faith and better understand what you believe and why.
This isn’t about challenging God or trying to prove Him wrong.
It’s about seeking to understand Him better.
It’s about growing and maturing in your faith.
So, if you consistently find yourself asking questions and seeking answers, that’s a good sign that you’re a Christian who thinks critically about your beliefs.
2) Open to different interpretations
I’ll never forget a conversation I had with my Pastor several years ago.
We were discussing a particular verse in the Bible and found that we had different interpretations of what it meant.
Instead of dismissing his view or feeling threatened, I found myself intrigued.
What if there was more than one way to understand this verse?
What if my interpretation was just one of many possible perspectives?
Being open to different interpretations doesn’t mean abandoning your beliefs.
It means acknowledging that the Bible is a complex text that has been studied and interpreted in various ways for centuries.
In my journey as a Christian who thinks critically about my beliefs, I’ve come to understand that being open to different interpretations of the Bible isn’t a threat to my faith.
On the contrary, it has enriched it.
So, if you find yourself open to exploring different interpretations and understanding that your perspective might not be the only one, then you are likely thinking critically about your beliefs.
3) Recognizing cultural influences
The Bible was written in a different time and culture.
From parables that make reference to ancient farming methods to laws that were directly related to the social norms of the time, cultural context is crucial.
Scholars emphasize that interpreting biblical teachings accurately requires a deep understanding of the cultural and historical backdrop in which they were written.
For example, laws in Leviticus about food and cleanliness can seem outdated today but were vital for survival in ancient, nomadic societies.
However, when you consider that these laws were written for a nomadic people living in harsh desert conditions without modern medicine, they make a lot more sense.
As a Christian who thinks critically about your beliefs, recognizing these cultural influences and seeking to understand them in their historical context can lead to a more nuanced understanding of the Bible’s teachings.
It’s not about disregarding these teachings but understanding them within their original context and then applying them to our modern lives.
4) Embracing change
Change can be challenging.
It can unsettle us, push us out of our comfort zones, and force us to re-evaluate what we thought we knew.
But it can also lead to growth.
As a critical-thinking Christian, you understand that your beliefs may evolve over time.
As you learn more, gain new experiences, and grow as a person, your understanding of your faith can also grow and change.
This doesn’t mean you’re faithless or fickle.
It means you’re committed to seeking truth, wherever that journey may lead.
5) Not needing all the answers
I’ve often found myself lying awake at night, wrestling with unanswered questions about my faith.
Why does God allow suffering?
What is the purpose of prayer if God already knows everything?
These are heavy questions, and they don’t have easy answers.
But over time, I’ve come to realize that it’s okay not to have all the answers.
It’s okay to live in the tension of not knowing.
In fact, it’s in this space of uncertainty where faith truly comes alive.
A study from the Springtide Research Institute highlights how young people navigating uncertainty often experience personal and spiritual growth by learning to embrace ambiguity rather than seeking clear answers for everything.
Being a Christian who thinks critically about their beliefs doesn’t mean having an answer for everything.
In fact, it often means being comfortable with not knowing.
It means trusting in God’s wisdom and goodness, even when we don’t fully understand His ways.
6) Engaging with different perspectives
In a world that’s increasingly interconnected, we have more opportunities than ever to engage with different perspectives.
And this can be a powerful tool for critical thinking.
As a Christian who thinks critically about your faith, you likely seek out different perspectives, not just from other Christians, but from people of other faiths, atheists, and agnostics too.
Engaging with these diverse viewpoints doesn’t mean agreeing with them.
Rather, it means understanding them.
It involves empathetic listening, respectful dialogue, and an openness to learning from others.
7) Actions align with beliefs
The most crucial sign that you’re a Christian who thinks critically about your beliefs is that your actions align with your faith.
It’s not enough just to talk about your beliefs; you must live them out every day.
According to research, living out one’s beliefs by acting in accordance with them leads to a more vibrant and fulfilling spiritual life.
This means showing love, kindness, and compassion to others, standing up for justice, and striving to make the world a better place.
Your faith isn’t just a set of ideas you agree with; it’s a way of life.
It’s a journey
The exploration of faith is a deeply personal journey, unique to each individual.
As you journey on, remember the words of St. Augustine, a renowned theologian and philosopher of the early Christian church, who said, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.”
Thinking critically about your beliefs as a Christian doesn’t mean you have all the answers.
Instead, it’s about being open to questions, embracing the mystery, and continually seeking truth.
It’s about aligning your actions with your beliefs and engaging in respectful dialogue with different perspectives.
It’s about recognizing the cultural and historical context of scripture and being open to its various interpretations.
But above all, it’s about being true to yourself and your journey with God.
In the end, whether you resonate with all these signs or just a few, remember that it’s an ongoing process.
There’s no final destination in this journey of faith, but a continuous path of growth, understanding, and deepening relationship with God.
What would Jesus say?
Unsure whether to move on from a failed marriage? Struggling with desire and feeling guilty for it? Wanting to live a life Jesus would be proud of?
Let Jesus tell you how to be a good Christian according to the teachings of the Bible.
We brought Jesus back to life with the help of AI. Ask your toughest life questions, and Jesus will tell you exactly what to do.
