Review Essay, Keeping the Balance
The problem of intellectualism. Going beyond your studies. Doing theology can lead students into an unbalanced preoccupation with the doctrines of Christianity. They can neglect God Himself and become cold, detached and spiritually dry. “We have become a victim of the lust of the mind, idolizing knowledge for its own sake”. Cupples offers “seven definite steps” to avoid this pitfall and maintain a healthy spiritual life: Firstly, they should turn their insights into prayers. “Let your new knowledge become the springboard for worship”. This will keep us humble and rekindle our love for God Himself. Secondly, they should pray regularly with their fellow-students. Prayer and fellowship can encourage us and warm up our hearts. Thirdly, they must be a faithful member of a local church—not just because it is the normal Christian life, but because it keeps our feet on the ground and takes us out of the intense atmosphere or our studies. We need the ministry of Word and Sacrament. Fourthly, they should get a regular pastoral check-up. Discussing the state of our spiritual life with someone mature and trustworthy can help in discerning spiritual decline in some area or providing needed encouragement in another. Fifthly, they should be involved in active Christian service. Theology is at the service of mission—it must be kept in this perspective. Sixthly, they must read devotional literature. Our souls need inspiration, not just information. Finally, they should learn to relax. Christian students can take theological study very seriously, but physical and emotional health is also important, and will actually contribute to our intellectual and spiritual strength.
Devotion makes us better theologians Another thing to remember is that “the things of God cannot be appreciated and understood fully from a detached standpoint, but only as they are lived and experienced”. For one thing, “strong devotion will make us better theologians”. But we must remember that “in the light of our eternal destiny” our scholarship counts for nothing if we do not have godliness. “Let us have learning, but let us have the experience of God too”. Quoting Martin Luther on “the need for the Spirit’s ministry and for genuine experience if we would have full understanding”, Cupples argues that the way of integration is essentially the combination of learning, living and feeling God and His Word.
Category: In Depth, Spring 2006
Followers
Fans
