Although this reader has never experienced either prison or war, John Wyndham's story resonates with me. As he writes of his captivity and solitary confinement, his intelligent reasoning and guilelessness shine through as an outstanding example for thinkers in 2018.
Faced with the prospect of imminent execution, John fell on his knees. He writes (p. 16): Hope and a feeling of God's presence came as this prayer brought an immediate and clear direction. As if someone had spoken the words, there came the command, "Control thought". From then on, resentment, hatred, despair, and fear were barred from his thinking. The liberating understanding of God as Love was dawning, and was washing away an abiding self-analysis of unworthiness. His conviction in God's saving grace grew too, and with it, hope for a way out. His thinking was being transformed and it would save his life.
Today, the term 'critical thinking' is used to denote a logical, unbiased, well-reasoned method of determining a situation. It involves thorough analysis and questioning; looking at a situation from all sides rather than from a self-centred or a particular group perspective. It is based on the Socratic method of questions and answers. (See, for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnJ1bqXUnIM).
There are similarities between what Wyndham advocates and what a 'critical thinker' does. (Note that critical thinking has NOTHING to do with criticising anyone!). For instance, on page 29 he writes: Isn't much of our so-called thinking just reacting to impressions or suggestions, making assumptions, or merely mulling over problems and difficulties?
But Wyndham turns to the Bible rather than the philosophers for instruction in how to think. He has the reader consider Philippians 4:8 -
...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The Message (Eugene Peterson) paraphrases it as:
...you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Now that is something to think on because by literally putting that instruction into practice, he was able to survive a week without food with no ill effect and was soon released from solitary confinement and probable execution. (See page 26.) It saved his life (p. 27).
Julie Swannell
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