Yesterday we learned that in 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul warns against “unhealthy teaching” which is where people just want to hear more and more teaching, and rarely, if ever, put what they have learned into actual practice. Instead, Paul wants Timothy to provide “healthy teaching” by leading his church out into the streets and houses of their community to put into practice the things they have learned from Scripture.
All too often, it seems that the “application of Scripture” is limited to an short exhortation at the end of the sermon, providing some examples or tips on how to live out what has been learned. But along with this, what is often emphasizes is the importance of doing everything possible to learn more about the Bible.
In the churches I have attended and pastored, we placed a heavy emphasis on faithful church attendance at both the church service and at Sunday school, and highly recommended that people attend a mid-week Bible study. Those who are really mature were encouraged to take copious sermon notes, study the Bible on their own for an hour or two every day, listen to sermons on the radio while driving to work, download sermon MP3s from the internet for listening while jogging or weeding the garden, read Bible study books and theology books in their spare time, and attend one or two Bible conferences or retreats every single year.
Could it be that maybe a better application of Scripture would be to invite people to study the Bible less, and put it into practice more?
Love for Learning
I was one of these types of Christians. I listened to sermons every chance I got, read books only about the Bible, and could only have discussion with people if they talked about the Bible. My primary interests were the newest interpretation of a tough biblical passage, the greatest insight into a unique Greek word, or the best explanation of a theological debate. I traveled across the country to listen to this teacher, attend that conference, or understand a new theological development. I gathered around myself books, CDs, and tapes of all the best preachers and teachers.
I called it “preparing for ministry.” And once I was in ministry, I called it, “sharpening my skills,” “increasing my knowledge,” “meditating on the Word,” or having “iron sharpen iron.” It consumed my time and energy so that I barely had any left for any of the people in my life. My wife and family got neglected, and I barely knew the names of my neighbors.
I wonder if this is the unhealthy teaching that Paul had in mind? The teaching where the only goal is more teaching. Unhealthy teaching is where people have itching ears for more teaching, and to satisfy their desire, they gather around themselves a whole host of teachers who will fill their days, and weeks, and months with the best biblical teaching that exists!
But all the while, lives are unchanged, love is not shown, generosity is not practiced, care is not given, forgiveness is not offered, and peace is not practiced.
Love for Neighbors
Could it be that we need to study our Bible less, and put it into practice more? Could it be that we need to listen to fewer preachers and teachers, and start loving our neighbors and coworkers more? Could it be that we gather around ourselves a multitude of teachers so that we don’t have to put into practice what we already know?
I know that this was true of me (and in many ways, still is), but I am trying to change. I am trying to move away from libraries, and in the direction of love. It’s not easy, and I often miss my studies, and my preaching, and my teaching, but I believe that learning to love others in practical ways is essential to following Jesus.
This might sound patronizing and that is not my intent.
Your heart is on the right path to being unstuck. This is especially difficult for the seminarian. I don’t know why…it just is.
I’ve met lots of folks whose “relationship” with god is actually a relationship with the bible INSTEAD of God. Does this make sense? Anyone can study scripture. You can fake Christianity. You can even do all of these things without realizing it’s a facade.
You can’t fake love. You can’t pretend to be something you’re not in the presence of a loving father.
Great insight. Thx.
Not patronizing at all. At least, I didn’t read it that way.
I think it is hard for us to get unstuck because this process often includes turning our back on most everything we learned in Seminary. I know I am not totally unstuck.
The gathering of knowledge is an addictive drug.
So church pastors are like drug pushers. If they push the “this is how to live” sermons, and then promote studying, reading, and learning all the flippin time, it keeps you coming back for more. They want a return customer. If you are away from it, you start to get the shakes.
This makes most seminarians knowledge drug addicts, and the drug they are eating, drinking, and snorting keeps them on that spiritual high, which makes the people in need suffer more. They will do all they can to get more of the drug.
I am glad I am off the knowledge drug. My eyes and heart are clearer now, not clouded up with Christianese jargon. I now enjoy the simplicity of studying less and loving more.
Thanks for the great post Jeremy, and good comment Bonar you nailed it when you said “you cannot fake love”
This sort of ties into the Mass-Debating post on my blog.
Later, Swanny
I love the Swanster!
As do we all!
Again. Rereading the post and responses.
I am happy…tickled even.
Bunch of radical freaks that some of us may be…
Today I kinda like the term “Jesus people” (Where you put “radical freaks” – I think of Jesus as a radical freak)
Yes, the path of gaining knowledge is addictive. I checked out the Mass-debating post on your blog. I didn’t get the play on words until I read it…. very…graphic…. but an astute observation and parallel.
For anybody else who wants to read it, here is the link:
Stop Mass-Debating
It is somewhat similar to a post I made a while back:
Is Your church Worst than Porn?
My friend who once attended church but now does not commented that most church attenders he has seen understand that being a Christian consists of saying a prayer and attending church and maybe some Bible studies, but seems not to include much of that “love thy neighbor” thing.
I know lots of those people also. I know one fellow who attends at least four Bible studies each week, in addition to one or more church services.
Then there is this fellow who doesn’t spend much time listening to sermons and attending Bible studies, but spends time with people. In times of crisis those people know talk to him, not the preacher or the Bible study leader.
Yes, many churches are very loving when people face times of crisis and troubles, but many others are not. But in actual communities where people love each other on a regular basis, when there is a crisis, the outpouring of love and care is second to none.
“It’s not easy, and I often miss my studies, and my preaching, and my teaching, but I believe that learning to love others in practical ways is essential to following Jesus.”
[Please forgive the length of this response, it has been extracted from another place The relevance is made clear in the bolded sections below.]
I find that Christians experience joy most when they are exercising their “giftings”. Early in my own discipleship, I was privileged to attend a class that taught one how to explore what particular gifts one had been given and how to work within the Body by focusing on those and also understanding how members with other giftings functioned best. One example would be to not expect those with the gift of “service” to attend coordination meetings but rather to just call on them when you actually need their help. It was a wonderful class.
That being said, there are a few things about the “gifts” that I would like to share. First off, we must never let our notion of whether or not we are gifted in a certain area dictate what we try to do. Jesus did not say that the Good Samaritan had the gift of healing or the gift of mercy or the gift of service; what he said was that the fellow loved his neighbor. We all have the gift of love. Secondly, the gifts were meant to work within the Body. While there’s nothing wrong with using one’s gift as an individual, the real purpose is to stir up the body to the good works planned before the foundation of the world. For example, someone with the gift of giving can quickly exhaust his or her resources as an individual. But by providing an example to the Body or by pointing out opportunities for the Body to give, the person is empowered to accomplish so much more because the Body has much more in the way of resources. A member with the gift of healing will quickly exhaust their time, but the Body will multiply it. Thirdly, we tend to project our gifts on others. How many times have preachers, who obviously tend to the evangelism and teaching gifts, berated their audience about witnessing and reading their Bibles. They often go to the point of questioning the salvation of those who don’t do these things directly. The witnessing is a corporate function. Some shy people just give to the church building programs for example; how effective would evangelism be without those givers. And as to reading their Bibles everyday, most of the audience wouldn’t understand what they read. That’s why the preacher has the gift of teaching to start with. But it’s wrong for him to expect everybody to be like him. He must recognize they don’t have the gifts he does and not project his experience on others. We would all do well to take more responsibility in stewarding our giftings.
“It is love, then, that you should strive for. Set your hearts on spiritual gifts, especially the gift of proclaiming God’s message.” ~ 1 Corinthians 14:1 (GNT)
Lustus,
Great comment, and so true about spiritual gifts. Pastors often do have spiritual gifts of teaching and evangelism, which is why they often berate others for not studying or evangelizing more. This is a major pitfall and trap of all spiritual gifts…. trying to make others practice the spiritual gifts we think are important. As you say, we must recognize what our gifts are, and use them for the building up of the body, without trying to get others to practice our spiritual gifts as well. Let them practice their own.
Thanks!
Taking a vote:
(Disagree) 1-2-3-4-5 (Agree)
1. ANYTHING that isolates us from relationships with people that do not believe in Jesus Christ is the “offending hand” (Matt. 5:30).
2. Even if the timesuck that isolates you is church attendance?
3. Even if the timesuck that isolates you is bible study?
4. Even if the timesuck that isolates you is 16 hours a day of prayer?
5. Even if the result of the timesuck is volumes of biblical knowledge?
6. Even if the timesuck that isolates results in hearty, rich relationships with those that already believe in Christ?
7. Even if the effort, time, self-discipline all result in a pious, religious, sacrosanct life?
8. Even if your intentions are good and you commiserate with aplomb?
Just wondering…
5, with a bit of a caveat. I do pray, read the Bible and like to spend time each day with my friend Jesus as we try to build relationships with the people who cross our paths. I try to avoid most religious people, but know one or two who are good, loving people in spite of their religion.
Just one or two? Ha ha!
I’m not fully sure how you are asking us to vote…. on each point individually, or on all 8 together?
It looks like Sam voted a 5 on all 8 together….I will do that.
I can answer with a 4 or 5 in theory.
But (as you pointed out earlier, being a seminarian, I find it hard to get unstuck), in actual practice, I am probably closer to a 2.
Of course, if you had include:
9. Even if the timesuck takes you away from blogging?
I would have to vote (1)…. Ha ha!
I’m a totally unstuck former seminarian who is disappointed that the chart only goes from 1 to 5. If it went from 1 to 10 I’d give it a 10 on all eight together. Blogging might be anywhere from 1 to 10, depending on why someone is blogging and their circumstances.
Yes! Totally!! Good words. As long as our study equips us and sends us out…it is good. Otherwise, our knowledge becomes an idol like all the rest. I think Jesus would be pretty unimpressed by all of the noise we fill our lives with and more impressed with the space we create to let Him use us “along the way…” as He did so many times in His life. Great blog.
Thanks, Kristie.
Ah the noise. I don’t ever want to become a desert monk, but sometimes, I think a few days in the wilderness with no TV, no radio, no phones, and no people might be good.
You are absolutely right about the teaching opportunities “along the way.” I wish churches today did more of this. I will be writing more about this in future posts as a good way for churches to transition from lots of teaching, to a more balanced “teach and serve” approach.
Ive spent hours of my life listening to sermons but one day i decided to take notes and so the hours of sermons i have listened to over 2 years has turned into 24 hours worth of material, straight to the point and leading people to learn quicker and to be able to use it. So we should get knowledge which is really lacking with believers but once we get the knowledge it should be a place to get it quick and go. Ive cut back on my study time and spent more time with friends and family and such lately. My time of study doesnt need to be so much since i made up for lost time and got rid of a lot of unbiblical beliefs i had.
Yes, if what we learn doesn’t lead us to love and serve others, we may not be learning rightly.