Knowledge with Zeal: Biblical Examples of Using God-Anointed Intellect in His Service
Maintaining Intellectual Growth and Spiritual Passion
With the possible exception of Paul’s alluding to books and parchments that he had left behind (2 Timothy 4:13), the Bible, unfortunately does not reveal how these men continued their intellectual development. It also does not explain how they maintained a balance between the intellect and spiritual passion, but it is clear that they did so. How this can be done depends on the interests and the ability of the individual. For those who desire to get or continue a formal education, the opportunities today are endless with the advent of distance based education. For those living in oral societies such as that of the ancient Hebrews, a wealth of information is available in the folklore, fables, and poetry that should not be ignored in seeking to understand those one is called to serve. There are no shortcuts. The words of Solomon ring true that the writing of many books is endless and the study of them is wearisome (Ecclesiastes 12:12), meaning that intellectual development is both mind stretching and exhausting.
But intellectual development is never an end in itself. It must always be held in creative tension with spiritual passion. Harold Kohl, the founding president of the Far East Advanced School of Theology in Metro Manila (now the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in Baguio City, Philippines) argued that scholarship without spirituality is dead and barren. He also contended that spirituality that is not deeply grounded in God’s word easily becomes fanaticism. True Pentecostal education would strive for both in balance, although the challenge of holding these two ideals in creative tension is not easy.43 Eli Javier echoed the same thoughts when he warned Bible school leaders to be wary of those who have master’s degrees but no practical experience in ministry.44 He goes on to use the metaphor of a railroad track with one rail representing the intellectual and theoretical while the other representing the practical and concrete.45 Both rails are necessary for the train to run.
The biblical characters studied here are an excellent example. In all four cases, they sought to use their education in advancing the purposes of God in their generation. The driving force for getting an education and maintaining continued development must always be motivated by a passion for God himself and a strong desire to see his purposes accomplished in the world today.
Conclusion
This paper was written under the premise that part of fulfilling the great commandment to love God with all of one’s heart, soul, and mind means to develop one’s intellect. The sketch of the biblical characters revealed four men, trained in different disciplines, who used their brilliant minds in passionate service to God. Moses was a statesman, lawgiver, and gifted writer. Daniel excelled in administration, his integrity and faith known to all who worked with him. Ezra’s study of the Law led him to be part of the remnant that returned and to be a leader in the spiritual renewal that followed. Paul, the disciple of Gamaliel and apostle to the Gentiles, used his gifts in articulating theology and apologetics, particularly among the Gentiles, with the goal of bringing them to Jesus Christ.
All of them dealt with daunting challenges. Moses led the children of Israel, who were known to be hard-headed and cantankerous, out of the most powerful and influential nation of the Middle East and towards the Promised Land. Daniel served a pagan king, worked with unfriendly colleagues, and spent a night with the lions because of his faith. Ezra returned to a land which had been devastated by a conqueror to serve people who had lived in violation of God’s law. Paul’s list of challenges are eloquently listed in 2 Corinthians 11:21-29. But today all are rightly remembered as men of immense intellects and passionate faith who stood faithfully for God, no matter what the circumstances.
The challenge continues today. False ideologies, errant theologies, and unbiblical worldviews are proliferating around the world. This generation needs men and women who are filled with the spirit of Christ who will bend and stretch their minds to be used of God in disciplines and areas of service too numerous to elucidate here, both in the sacred and secular realms, seeking to honor Christ in all times and circumstances.
PR
Notes
The title of this paper, “Knowledge with Zeal” is an inversion of the motto of the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in Baguio City, Philippines whose motto is “Zeal With Knowledge.”
1 The need and opportunity to develop one’s intellect is an underpinning premise of Rick Nañez’s book, Full Gospel, Fractured Minds?: A Call to Use God’s Gift of the Intellect (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2005.).
2 Ibid.
3 Donald N. Bowdle, “Informed Pentecostalism: An Alternative Paradigm,” in The Spirit and the Mind: Essyas in Informed Pentecostalism,Sstudies in Honor of Donald N. Bowdle, eds. By Terry L. Cross and Emerson B. Powery (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2000), 12.
4 Taylor, William M. Moses The Law-Giver (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1961), 24-28.
5 Archibald. W. Morton, “Education in Biblical Times,” in The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible 2, 206-223 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), 207.
6 Gleason L. Archer Jr., A Survey of Old Testament Introduction (Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1974), 122.
7 E.B. Smick, “Pentateuch,” in The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible 4 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Corporation, 1976), 688.
8 Smick, 690-691.
9 D.J. Wiseman, “Babylonia,” in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia 1, rev. ed. ed. Geoffrey W. Bromily (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982), 398.
10 Norman W. Porteous, Daniel: A Commentary, The Old Testament Library (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1965), 27.
Category: Biblical Studies, Spring 2008
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