At first glance, freethinking seems liberating and sophisticated. It refers to the practice of forming opinions independently, without relying on “authority or tradition.”
According to Dictionary.com, a “freethinker” is someone who forms opinions based on reason, especially when those opinions differ from established beliefs—particularly religious ones.
By definition, freethinkers are encouraged to develop their own views, free from the influence of tradition or authority. However, in practice, freethinking has often evolved into a cultural ideology that inhibits a rational exploration of Christian faith as a source of true freedom.
Even among liberal thinkers, there are various interpretations of freethinking. For some, it emphasizes the pursuit of individualism, where each person has the right to define their own flourishing, independent of societal norms. Yet, despite its emphasis on independence, freethinking often seems unwilling to entertain the possibility of theism. This presupposition limits true freedom of thought, turning freethinking into a rigid doctrine in its own right. Ironically, this ideology becomes an unspoken authority within modern cultural discourse, suggesting that freethinking is not as free as it claims to be.
A prominent example of this trend was the late Christopher Hitchens, who often promoted freethinking as an alternative to faith. In The Portable Atheist, he described the divide between faith and freethought, assuming that religious belief was inherently conservative and that atheism aligned with liberalism. Hitchens encouraged readers to engage with literature that leaned heavily toward skepticism, reinforcing the cultural divide. He argued that freethinking needed to resist “faith-based” views and faith itself, casting belief in God as humanity’s “oldest enemy.”
This narrative, which positions Christian faith as incompatible with reason, is pervasive in today’s culture. Freethinking, rather than encouraging genuine intellectual freedom, has become a specific brand of Western cultural thought. In many cases, it subtly pressures people to align with secular ideas and dismiss faith as irrational. Despite this, the message of Christianity still reaches out—inviting, challenging, and compelling people to explore a deeper truth.
For centuries, Christian thought has welcomed intellectual debate and engaged in rigorous academic inquiry. It’s worth noting that many of the world’s most renowned universities were founded by devout Christians who believed that academic excellence and faith could coexist. Harvard University, for instance, was established by Christians who valued reason as a tool to explore faith, not to suppress it.
In Finding God at Harvard, it’s noted that Harvard's founders understood that genuine Christian belief couldn’t be imposed through authority or tradition. Instead, they promoted intellectual freedom and encouraged students to think for themselves, hoping they might come to embrace faith on their own terms.
The Bible itself emphasizes human freedom to choose, as seen in Joshua 24:15: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Jesus, too, allowed His followers to make their own decisions about following Him, asking His disciples if they wanted to leave after some of His teachings (John 6:66-67). Peter’s response, “We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God,” highlights a faith that is rooted in reason, learning, and personal experience.
Yet, cultural freethinkers often portray Christian faith as blind allegiance to tradition, insisting that reason will unravel it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Christianity has a rich intellectual history that has stood up to scrutiny in the highest academic circles.
Consider the story of a Harvard Medical School student who, despite being raised as an atheist, was encouraged by Christian friends to explore the Bible. After a rational investigation, he found compelling philosophical and historical evidence for Christianity and ultimately experienced what he described as the “miracle of new birth.” This story highlights the possibility for civil dialogue, where true freethinking welcomes an honest exploration of faith.
Unfortunately, much of today’s cultural freethinking rejects this invitation, often citing reason, science, or evidence as barriers. Yet, many who sincerely investigate Christianity find these barriers are easily addressed. The real fear among some freethinkers may be the risk of surrendering their personal autonomy. However, in an age of rising uncertainty and emotional unrest, one might find that genuine freedom lies in accepting the offer of Jesus, who said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
True freedom may indeed be found not in the cultural version of freethinking, but in the grace of God. As Jesus promised, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).