Monday, August 22, 2005
Higher learning or spiritual training?
I will use the following scriptures below as a reference to the title of this blog.
Matthew 11: 25,26
25At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.
26"Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
I think alot of the Pharisees and scribes during Jesus ministry couldn't believe who He was and what He was trying to teach them because their "higher learning" had blinded them. It is hilarious and sad at the same time how the Lord has to straighten us out when we give more devotion to the law and what not to do than to the God who wrote the law and loves us more than we can ever comprehend. I think about the scribes who were trying to figure out a way to discredit Christ when He healed the man on the Sabbath that was born blind. After all their questioning and disproving, even bringing his parents in, the man said: I don't know if He (Jesus) is a sinner or not, all I know is that I was blind and now I see. What a simple answer to those who thought they knew it all.
Let me say this. Higher education and seminary schools are great and useful to those who can learn with humility and know that all men, even teachers, are still human and have a bent to stray away from the grace of God. But I think some have fallen into the trap of knowing in their mind all about the scriptures, doctrines, church history, calvinism, arminiaism, etc.. and have forgotten about living life by faith in God Himself and living in the presence of the unconditional love of God in Christ. Its easy to do, I have done it myself.
I think I can help a person figure out if they have fallen or are falling into this trap: If you want to constantly pick apart things that people write or their opinions or are looking at different ministries to find something "unscriptural" to debate over because you think you know the truth because of your learning then lookout you may be in danger, like I said I was trapped in this and still find myself straying away from grace all the time, but God still loves me and He loves you to, just admit (confess) it and start living under grace again. There are several preachers and ministries out there that I think are wrong in their teachings about eternal security and spiritual gifts and some have wrong motives for preaching, but you know what, most keep the weighter matters of the law by loving one another and helping the poor and needy. But like Paul said, at least Christ is being preached and Jesus told the disciples to leave those alone who were casting out demons in His name because those that are for us will not easily be against us. God knows more about whats going on and who is going to be saved than I do. Now if I come across someone who is trying to add to the gospel or preach another gospel then my weakness will show and I will end up doing some ranting about it.
Higher learning or spiritual training? Higher education and knowing all the doctrines of the Bible is just a sounding gong or cymbal without love and God is love. I think we get spiritual training by letting the love of God be poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, and this only happens when we come as children not as wise & learned to listen to our God. I don't think the 12 apostles had alot of higher education, maybe thats why Jesus chose fishermen over the many scribes around.
Anyway go to kc's blog and read about his salvation. Matt said it was so simple even an average joe may understand it. Its what inspired me to go ahead and post whats been on my mind here. here is the link http://justsoyouallknow.blogspot.com/
Matthew 11: 25,26
25At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.
26"Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
I think alot of the Pharisees and scribes during Jesus ministry couldn't believe who He was and what He was trying to teach them because their "higher learning" had blinded them. It is hilarious and sad at the same time how the Lord has to straighten us out when we give more devotion to the law and what not to do than to the God who wrote the law and loves us more than we can ever comprehend. I think about the scribes who were trying to figure out a way to discredit Christ when He healed the man on the Sabbath that was born blind. After all their questioning and disproving, even bringing his parents in, the man said: I don't know if He (Jesus) is a sinner or not, all I know is that I was blind and now I see. What a simple answer to those who thought they knew it all.
Let me say this. Higher education and seminary schools are great and useful to those who can learn with humility and know that all men, even teachers, are still human and have a bent to stray away from the grace of God. But I think some have fallen into the trap of knowing in their mind all about the scriptures, doctrines, church history, calvinism, arminiaism, etc.. and have forgotten about living life by faith in God Himself and living in the presence of the unconditional love of God in Christ. Its easy to do, I have done it myself.
I think I can help a person figure out if they have fallen or are falling into this trap: If you want to constantly pick apart things that people write or their opinions or are looking at different ministries to find something "unscriptural" to debate over because you think you know the truth because of your learning then lookout you may be in danger, like I said I was trapped in this and still find myself straying away from grace all the time, but God still loves me and He loves you to, just admit (confess) it and start living under grace again. There are several preachers and ministries out there that I think are wrong in their teachings about eternal security and spiritual gifts and some have wrong motives for preaching, but you know what, most keep the weighter matters of the law by loving one another and helping the poor and needy. But like Paul said, at least Christ is being preached and Jesus told the disciples to leave those alone who were casting out demons in His name because those that are for us will not easily be against us. God knows more about whats going on and who is going to be saved than I do. Now if I come across someone who is trying to add to the gospel or preach another gospel then my weakness will show and I will end up doing some ranting about it.
Higher learning or spiritual training? Higher education and knowing all the doctrines of the Bible is just a sounding gong or cymbal without love and God is love. I think we get spiritual training by letting the love of God be poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, and this only happens when we come as children not as wise & learned to listen to our God. I don't think the 12 apostles had alot of higher education, maybe thats why Jesus chose fishermen over the many scribes around.
Anyway go to kc's blog and read about his salvation. Matt said it was so simple even an average joe may understand it. Its what inspired me to go ahead and post whats been on my mind here. here is the link http://justsoyouallknow.blogspot.com/
Comments:
<< Home
Kris there is so much to consider here and I suspect this will generate some fruitful dialog. I have many thoughts on this (okay on everything hehe) but I think I need to listen this time. I really appreciate the link and the kind words but honestly I appreciate you sharing your convictions even more. ;-)
Great post. I just wrote a devotion pertaining to this today. Paul lamented that he had to be carnal with the church at Corinth because they could not understand on a spiritual level. It is sad that we use books to seek validation from man. What did the early disciples and apostles use? We have the privilege of having the entire Bible, and yet it seems that many times, that is not enough. Don't get me wrong; I believe much can be gained through healthy discussion of the Scriptures. Yet, in everything, we should first seek to understand. "In all thy getting, get an understanding." There is a purpose for understanding history; however, it is not a substitute for listening to the Lord in Spirit. I look forward to more conversation with you and Kc.
On this, we all HAVE to agree:
"at least Christ is being preached ..."
If that ain't happening, whatever else it might be, I'd say it has to be suspect.
I find it one of life's supreme ironies that the Fall occurred through humankind's attempt to gain knowledge. And now the mission of life everywhere seems to be that very thing: Pursuing knowledge, continuing education, life-long learning -- whatever you call it.
Because I am a glutton for higher education, I think about that quite a bit. I have to be careful not to overly glorify myself or my accomplishments, which, after all, are only so much wood, hay and stubble to be burned off in the my purification.
"at least Christ is being preached ..."
If that ain't happening, whatever else it might be, I'd say it has to be suspect.
I find it one of life's supreme ironies that the Fall occurred through humankind's attempt to gain knowledge. And now the mission of life everywhere seems to be that very thing: Pursuing knowledge, continuing education, life-long learning -- whatever you call it.
Because I am a glutton for higher education, I think about that quite a bit. I have to be careful not to overly glorify myself or my accomplishments, which, after all, are only so much wood, hay and stubble to be burned off in the my purification.
Thanks for comments guys. ER I really liked your comments about how the fall happened and we still are pursuing knowledge in itself.
The knowledge in the bible is about the person of God and He is what life is all about not the knowledge itself.
Post a Comment
The knowledge in the bible is about the person of God and He is what life is all about not the knowledge itself.
<< Home
