The Unbiased Self: The Psychology of Overcoming Cognitive Bias

By Erin Devers (IVP)

Texans know Texas BBQ is unsurpassed. Memphis and Kansas City have their own ideas about the best BBQ. And then there’s Carolina BBQ. Each one is right in their own eyes.

Erin Devers doesn’t smoke out the best BBQ, but she does shine a light on a common human malady—the inability to know everything about everything all the time. Bias results from our human limitations.

“We want to be right and feel good about ourselves,” Devers asserts. This desire leads us to think we are more moral than we are and have more control over our lives than we do. Bias begins here.

Bias can be an incendiary word today. But this isn’t a book about racial, gender, ableist or other specific expressions of bias—though racial bias does make an appearance in the last chapter. Rather, this is a book about dealing with the log in our own eyes, Devers contends, referring to one of Jesus’ parables.

We can spot other people’s biases, but we often are blind to our own. Devers seeks to move readers from a pursuit of feeling right to a pursuit of accuracy.

Bias is part of being human, a feature of our creaturely limitations. We can’t process everything about everything. Devers explains how our minds naturally create categories for the sake of efficiency and filter new information through these mental categories.

Our biases are exploitable and used by those in the know to grab our attention and manipulate our thoughts.

Devers counters internal bias—thinking or believing better of ourselves than we actually are. She emphasizes rooting our identity in Christ and his salvation from our sin nature, rather than in our self-identification and sense of measuring up to our own ideal self and what we believe others expect of us.

She also counsels against “downward social comparisons” by which we attempt to boost our self-esteem through measuring ourselves against people—and even animals—we see as less than ourselves.

After diagnosing the problem, Devers turns to overcoming it, starting with the pursuit of accuracy. Accuracy calls for slow thinking and interrogating why we want something to be true. This and other ways of pursuing accuracy positions a person for better fast thinking. Here, Devers suggests practical ways to improve thinking, one benefit being to reduce bias.

Reducing bias is beneficial not only for ourselves. It also makes us better neighbors, something captured in the command to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Devers returns to a point she makes repeatedly in her chapters on reducing bias—“our position relative to God and others.” We generally are more like each other than we are like God. To combat bias, Devers encourages generosity in our thinking about others.

The Unbiased Self finishes with an examination of group identity bias, specifically in the church.

A cautionary note: Readers should be aware Chapter Six opens with some examination of the horrific school shooting in Uvalde.

Eric Black, executive director/publisher/editor
Baptist Standard

• Lesson Nine in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 8:9-12.

Even though Ezra doesn’t appear in the book of Nehemiah until chapter 8, he already played a key role in the restoration of the exiles returning to Jerusalem.

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were together in the earliest Hebrew manuscript. Origen (A.D. 185–253) was the first writer known to distinguish between the two.

The book of Ezra tells of the return of the Jews, who had been in exile in Babylon, and the rebuilding of the Temple.

In Ezra 7:6, Ezra is described as a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, and again in 7:10, “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances in Israel.”

All the people—including men, women and all who could understand—gathered in the square in front of the Water Gate. Ezra the priest read from the book of Moses from early morning until midday.

He stood at a wooden podium designed for this occasion with leaders of the people standing beside him. When he opened the book, all the people stood, obviously out of reverence for the word of the Law.

“Then Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen!’ while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground” (8:6).

Afterward the Levites explained the Law to the people while they remained in their places.

“They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading” (8:8). In the margin of the NASB the word “translating” also is defined as “explaining.”

What good is the reading of God’s word without understanding?

In Jesus’ final words to the disciples before his ascension, he emphasized the command to teach his word: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.

“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

To learn more about GC2 Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.

• Lesson 8 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 6:15-19

Kingdom tasks cannot be accomplished by human wisdom and energy. Only God can move the hearts of kings and reluctant people. God is who inspires human courage and provides resources thought to be unavailable.

When the task of rebuilding the wall was complete, neither the people nor the enemy said, “Great is Nehemiah,” or “Great are the people of Jerusalem.”

Rather, “They recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God” (6:16).

When God brought fire down on Mount Carmel, the people didn’t say, “Great is Elijah.”

They fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God” (1 Kings 18:39).

When the persecuted church was scattered, some of them came to Antioch and began preaching the Lord Jesus. “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21).

The church in Jerusalem heard about the work of God and sent Barnabas to see what was happening. When he arrived, he witnessed the grace of God (11:23).

Perhaps we receive too much credit for the successes we experience because we fail to allow God to work in a way that only he can bring victory.

When Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed for deliverance from Sennacherib, king of Assyria who already had defeated the armies of all of Judah’s neighbors, God answered by sending the angel of the Lord who slew 185,000 of the enemy.

Nehemiah’s task appeared doomed from the start.

How would he ever receive favor from the king, or resources to build the gates and rebuild the walls? How was he supposed to awaken a complacent city accustomed to living in shame and defeat?

How was Nehemiah to overcome the significant opposition of local leaders?

Victory would come only by the grace of God—who put the plan in Nehemiah’s heart, provided the resources to complete the task and then received the glory.

To learn more about GC2 Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.

• Lesson 7 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 6:10-14.

All leaders face opposition. How we respond is an indication of our courage and humility. Nehemiah was not exempt. He dealt with persistent resistance throughout the entire project of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, ranging from criticism to personal threats.

Too often, it appears the forces of evil have more resources and energy than do the righteous. Even though the wall was nearing completion, Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem and the rest of the enemies of Nehemiah were not ready to stop. They plotted devious schemes to disrespect, discredit or destroy Nehemiah.

Their first attempt almost appeared as concession on their part. They sent Nehemiah a message inviting him to meet with them in one of the villages of Ono.

Nehemiah was not fooled. After a long battle calling the people to “arise and build,” he set the example by working alongside them, while simultaneously fighting the enemy.

Nehemiah’s successes may have made him vulnerable. The victory was near. How nice it would have been if the enemies had been won over and ready to be colleagues. Yet Sanballat and his partners schemed together to seduce Nehemiah.

The apostle Peter, who denied Christ only moments after he had promised to die for him, later wrote, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Jesus warned, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15–16).

How did Nehemiah see through their scheme? Perhaps he saw their true colors by observing their previous actions. He also may have received wise counsel from friends.

While not dismissing critical evaluation and wise decision making, we also observe that Nehemiah was a man of prayer, and it was God who gave him a spirit of discernment.

To learn more about GC2 Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.

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• The Easter lesson in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on 1 Corinthians 15:1-20.

If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is irresponsible. Paul’s message was always the same whether he spoke to Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, in Jerusalem or Athens. He reminded the Corinthians he preached the good news to them. They received it and were standing on it.

This is the hope on which they were saved. Yet some among them began saying there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul responded, if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised. “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain” (15:14). Those who proclaim such things are actually false prophets.

If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is impossible. Paul stated if Christ has not been raised from the dead our faith is in vain (15:14). “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins” (15:17).

As the time of Jesus’ crucifixion was approaching, when he was with the disciples in Caesarea Philippi, he asked, “‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is? And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:13–16). And Jesus blessed him, acknowledged his answer was given to him by Jesus’ Father, renamed him Peter, and promised to him the keys to the kingdom.

If Christ has not been raised, then God is inaccessible. Without Jesus’ atoning death on the cross and his resurrection, there is no freedom from sin’s terrible grip. “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men” (Romans 5:18).

If Christ has not been raised, then death is irreversible. “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). This is the turning point of history. All that happened before, looked forward to it; and all that has transpired since reflects back on it.

This is God’s plan. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

To learn more about GC2 Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.

• Lesson 6 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 5:6-13.

Too often, the oppressed who gain power become the oppressors. In chapter 5 of Nehemiah, the troubles of the people are not brought on by foreign enemies but by their own rulers and nobles.

Famine and overpopulation brought widespread hunger. In addition, they were forced to pay high taxes on their fields and vineyards. These conditions caused them to mortgage their property, and they even were forced to sell their children into slavery.

Greedy officials oppressing the poor is not unique to one period of time or one culture. Millions of families are displaced and scattered throughout the world today because of famine, war and ideology—especially religious beliefs. The gap between the rich and the poor is ubiquitous. Even churches too often favor the wealthy and powerful rather than the impoverished.

However, many churches do support assistance to the needy and some political leaders are advocates for the neglected. While some wealthy people create personal empires for self-indulgence, others produce meaningful jobs and foundations providing food, health care, scholarships and shelter.

Nehemiah was furious when he heard the outcry of the people. God did not allow Nehemiah to hold the position of governor for his own recognition and fulfillment but to be an advocate on behalf of the people he governed. He stood inthe tradition of prophets who called out against injustice.

The prophet Amos cried out, “Thus says the Lord, ‘For three transgressions of Judah and for four I will not revoke its punishment, because they rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his statutes; their lies also have led them astray,those after which their fathers walked’” (Amos 2:4).

God was especially angry at the shepherds (religious leaders) who fed themselves while not feeding the flock. “‘As I live,’ declares the Lord God, ‘surely because my flock has become a prey, my flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and my shepherds did not search for my flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed my flock’” (Ezekiel 34:8).

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23).

To learn more about GC2 Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here. 

God with Us: Bible Stories on the Road to Emmaus

By Matt Mikalatos; Illustrated by David Shephard (WaterBrook)

Cleopas and an unnamed person are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus when Jesus joins them.

The two are talking about Jesus’ crucifixion and his rumored resurrection, trying to make sense of the rumors. They didn’t recognize their new traveling companion, nor did they expect what followed.

“Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about himself” (Luke 24:27).

If only we knew what Jesus used from Scripture to explain about himself.

What Luke leaves out of his Gospel account, Matt Mikalatos fills in with imagination and humor.

In the form of a graphic novel, Mikalatos weaves together key moments from the Old Testament and the Gospels that, in hindsight, illuminate who Jesus was, his purpose for coming to live among us and the purpose of his dying and rising again.

The young sister and brother Rachel and Moshe are main characters in Mikalatos’ version of Luke 24:13-35.

As they walk with Cleopas and Miriam—Luke’s unnamed second person—they ask important questions and bring extra life to Jesus’ explanations.

God with Us would make a great gift for young families to read together, young readers to read alone or fans of graphic novels.

Through Mikalatos’ gift for storytelling and David Shephard’s illustrations, those who read God with Us will see not just the walk to Emmaus in a new light, but will come to appreciate what key moments throughout Scripture tell us about Jesus.

God with Us is scheduled to release April 1, in plenty of time to be read before Easter—Resurrection Sunday.

Eric Black, executive director/publisher/editor
Baptist Standard

• Lesson 5 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 4:1-8.

Nehemiah consistently prayed. Each time he was confronted by a problem, he first took the situation to God. Yet, he also knew the work had to be done by the people.

Soon some of the Jews began to express discouragement. Their strength was failing. They were distracted by the rubble. They heard the threats of the enemy. They said, “We ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall.”

The midway point is often the most difficult time. The excitement of the vision has faded, and attention becomes focused on the rubbish, the undoable task still lying ahead. Nehemiah faced what may have been his greatest challenge: discouragement from within. Outside opposition is expected, but when God’s people begin to complain and rebel, their discouragement is contagious.

Those living in areas near the enemies came to Nehemiah with fear and complaints 10 times (Nehemiah 4:12).Sanballat’s plan of causing a disturbance among the people appeared to be working. Courageous leadership was neededurgently, and Nehemiah didn’t disappoint. His faith did not waver, and he responded with a plan. “We will fortify the lowplaces and have families with their swords, spears and bows.”

When Nehemiah saw their fear, he “rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraidof them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wivesand your houses’” (4:14).

The plans of the enemy were frustrated. Half of the people carried out the work and the others held the spears, shields,bows and breastplates. Nehemiah continued to lead by example. “So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water” (4:23).

To learn more about GC2 Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.

I’ve Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out with God

By Erin Hicks Moon (Baker Publishing)

Storyteller and host of the popular Faith Adjacent podcast Erin Hicks Moon reveals her inner wrestling with faith and why deconstruction is a necessary component of the faith journey in I’ve Got Questions.

Moon breaks the deconstruction process into five segments, beginning with the origins of our faith and how worldly influences affect faith perception and concluding with the rebuilding process.

Written in a fun, conversational style, I’ve Got Questions offers readers a personal and general approach to questions about the faith. Growing up in a traditional, Southern Baptist home, Moon did not feel the need to question her faith until she was exposed to other religions and hypocrisy within her own denomination.

Moon learned to “sit Shiva,” the Jewish process of mourning a death. Learning to practice Shiva by lamenting the roots of her faith allowed her to examine where she had questions.

The writer describes experiences of feeling like an outcast in the church for questioning her faith, resulting in isolation.

A turning point came during a church service where she was told about a class helping reclaim communities for God while battling against worldliness. She began questioning the disparity between serving in love and fighting against the world. She wondered how she truly could love those she felt at war with.

Moon addresses this idea and questions Christians may have during their faith journey. She includes quotes, historical references, personal stories and testimonies to walk the reader through her deconstruction process and how it helped strengthen her faith in God.

In the chapter “What If the Wrestling Is the Point,” Moon addresses how Christians have disrupted the status quo throughout history by asking questions. She cites examples such as the Reformation to contextualize how questions in the life of faith have resulted in spiritual growth and new insights.

Moon offers a friendly hand, compelling readers to explore their faith, while acknowledging the roots that make faith unwavering.

This book is for anyone who needs to know it’s OK to ask questions, offering a safe space to lament a changing faith and make peace with the process. Moon encourages readers to think of active faith as one that recalibrates. Our spiritual inheritance involves wrestling with a God unafraid of our questions.

Faith Pratt, Baptist Standard student intern

East Texas Baptist University, Marshall

• Lesson 4 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 3:1-5.

When the people of Judah said, “Let us arise and build,” Nehemiah was ready to present a plan. His goal was simple—rebuild the gates and the wall. He had permission from the king, provisions from Asaph, the keeper of the king’s garden, and accurate research of the problem.

He divided the work among 40-plus groups. Some of the gates such as the Valley Gate, Refuse Gate and Fountain Gate were more damaged than others and required more workers. Nehemiah’s plan moved in fullcircle counterclockwise beginning and ending with the Sheep Gate (3:1, 32).

The first person mentioned was the high priest with his brothers the priests. No one was exempt from thework: including the high priest (3:1), goldsmiths (3:8, 31), perfumers (3:8), officials (3:9–21), priests (3:22–23) and merchants (3:31–32). They also built sections near where they lived. This is obviously a strategic plan. Of course, they desired the walls to be most secure near their own houses.

The rebuilding of the wall required more than rhetoric of a charismatic leader and enthusiasm of the crowd. Ateam effort was needed with everyone, regardless of class, privilege or title, taking his or her place among theruins of the city, faithfully completing the task assigned to them until the job was completed.

The work of rebuilding the walls required the whole community rather than a few select leaders. Likewise, God’s plan for the church is not accomplished by a few individuals cheered on by others as theytry to fulfill the Great Commission. Each of us is given unique spiritual gifts, life experiences, personalities,talents and opportunities for the benefit of the Body of Christ.

Our individuality is set aside as we stand shoulder to shoulder with others seeking to fulfill a commontask, as the people of Jerusalem did in rebuilding the walls. Yet, at other times, our tasks and calling may beunique, contributing to the whole proper working of the church.

To learn more about GC2 Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.

• Lesson 3 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 2:11-20.

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, much investigation was still needed before Nehemiah confronted the people. Without disclosing his plan, Nehemiah took a few men with him and went at night to inspect the walls. He passed through the city, gate by gate, some places piled with such rubble that he had to get off his horse and walk.

The situation was just as his Hanani described it. Ne­hemiah saw for himself the appalling condition of Jerusalem.

The inhabitants of the city obviously had grown complacent living in those shameful conditions. Their hearts had become hardened to the fact that Jerusalem was a disgrace not only to themselves, but also a testimony against the glory of God. The city needed a bold strategic leader who would arouse them out of complacency and show them the way.

Nehemiah called together the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest and said: “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no lon­ger be a reproach” (2:17).

Actually Nehemiah was not part of the problem. He was living in Susa and not even aware of the condi­tions of the city until he was told by his brother. He was justified in blaming the people for their failure to respond.

Yet, like any good leader, he used the plural pronouns, “we” and “us,” instead of “you.” Throughout the book of Nehemiah, he led by identifica­tion and example as one who was the first to step up, to make the commitment and do the work. A task this daunting required the cooperation of all the people.

Nehemiah told how God had been favorable to him and also how he had the support of the king. The peopleresponded, “let us arise and build,” and they put their hands to the good work.

To learn more about GC2 Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here. 

• Lesson 2 in the Connect360 unit “Kingdom Assignment: The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience” focuses on Nehemiah 1:4-11.

The book of Nehemiah opens and ends with prayer. One of the consistent characteristics of Nehemiah’s life was a dependence upon prayer. Throughout Nehemiah, we find examples of the lead­er praying.

When Nehemiah learned about the condition of Jerusalem af­ter his brother’s report, he was deeply burdened. For months, he fasted and prayed, and when he sought wisdom for approaching the king, he prayed to the God of heaven (1:4). Nehemiah prayed seeking approval from God and not man (5:19).

When his enemies threatened him, Nehemiah asked God to give him strength (6:9). Sanballat and Tobiah were persistent critics of Nehemiah and rather than capitulating to their threats, Nehemiah asked God to remember him (6:14). He let God fight his battles, yet he never flinched when God called him to stand up against opposition.

The people followed Nehemiah’s prayerful example and assembled to­gether with prayer and fasting. After reading from God’s word, they confessed their sins and repented; then God brought revival (chapter 9). God’s word to Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:14), was also true for the Hebrew captives and remains right for us today: “And my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

The report from Hanani caused Nehemiah deep sorrow for the remnant in Jerusalem. He could have easily convinced him­self that even though he was concerned, there was nothing he might do. He may have rationalized that this was someone else’s problem and even asked God to raise up another to intercede for them.

Yet, Nehemiah was a man of action. Perhaps he was tempt­ed to burst into the presence of the king and demand relief for his people. However, Nehemiah also was a man of prayer. He took his burden before the Lord with humility, prayer and fasting. He waited for months for the Lord to answer while continuing with persistence to intercede, allowing God to prepare his own heart as he also prepared the heart of the king. In the fulness of God’s time, Nehemiah responded to the questioning of the king about his apparent sadness.

To learn more about GC2 Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.