If You Love It, You Will Learn About It

I am a seminary student. The degree I am pursuing is called a Master of Divinity (insert joke from Jim Strutz about being a "divine master" here). One of the the most surprising things that happened to me when I announced that I would be pursing a theology degree was the push back that I got from well-meaning Christians. They were concerned that studying theology would ruin my walk with God, that my study would turn my relationship into a merely intellectual exercise. I was surprised, because it was an aspect of study that had never crossed my mind.

When I stopped to think about it, the concern was actually valid. I have actually experienced something like this firsthand before. When I was pursing my undergrad degree in music, I can remember many weekends where I expressed a sentiment similar to the following: "If I never see another piece of music again, it will be too soon." My intensive study, practicing, rehearsing, and playing almost ruined my love and appreciation for music. Many of the other students in my class are not working or earning a living in a music-related field; many of them are not even playing music at all!

However valid this concern in, I don't think it should scare us away from studying or learning about who God is, His nature, His character, and His attributes. I have heard people say "I don't want to know about God, I just want to know God," or "I don't want to just read the owner's manual, I want to drive the car!" This sentiment is understandable, but unfortunately shortsighted. I would propose this: if you love something, you will invariably study it out. Michael Patton from Credo House Ministries explains it well:

It’s popular today to think our learning about God will stifle our passion for God. I’ve even heard people say, “I’d rather be led instead of read.” This is simply not true from human experience. Anyone passionate in any subject will eventually seek to learn more and more about the subject. The person passionate about wine becomes a student of wine. They learn about the art of wine making, differing varieties in differing climates, soil nutrients, fermentation, barreling, pairing, and proper tasting techniques. They love the taste, but the taste is now greatly enhanced by their knowledge.

The person passionate about NASCAR becomes a student of NASCAR. They can tell you about the history of certain race tracks, they will tell you about some of the great drivers from the past, they’ll educate you about fuel conservation during a race, driver and fan safety, getting the most out of the tires, and driver G-forces.

If you’re reading this there’s a strong chance the King of all Kings has adopted you into His family. Your eternal destiny has been altered by a Savior who lived, died and rose in your place. He invites you to take your heavy burden in exchange for His light yoke. Your God is with you every day and is leading you safely to your eternal home. Yet so many people will go months, years or even a lifetime without taking the initiative to grow as a learner. We won’t follow the command of Jesus to make not just converts but disciples. Somehow we think if we know Him we won’t love Him. This is simply not true.

There are many other analogies that could be used - football and other sports, music, cinema, American history - but you see how this works. If you love something, you will learn about it. I appreciate the valid concern that too much study can turn something you love into a frustration, but I think that the vast majority of us are far from that problem. Most of us are in danger of running off the road on the other side, not knowing enough about the God that we worship. I encourage you: study, learn, grow in understanding. As Peter charges us in 2nd Peter 3, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." It's a both/and thing. We need to grow in our experience of God's grace while we grow in the knowledge of who God is. May we all increase in both.


Michael Patton and the Credo House Ministries blog can be visited here: http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/

Things We Don't See In English Bibles

For one of my classes, I am doing some extensive research on the Old Testament book of Micah. Micah is my favorite of the OT prophetic books. I stumbled across some research into the Hebrew language that only deepened my appreciation for the Scriptures in general and the book of Micah in particular.

In 1:10-1:16, Micah rattles of a list of cities that will be affected by the impending judgment of God. Before continuing further, take a minute and read through it here. This passage sounds like the typical judgment language that is used throughout the Old Testament prophetic books. These prophecies came at a very dark time in the history of Israel/Judah, and the language can be harsh-sounding to our modern ears. Most of these prophetic books were written for 3 main purposes: 1) to encourage God's people to stop continuing further in sin, 2) to explain why judgment and calamity has come upon them, and 3) to offer future hope and salvation. *side note: these #3 passages are often where we find the predictions about Jesus prior to his advent.

What we don't see in our English translations is how the words of judgment are related to the names of the cities themselves. Many commentators and Hebrew scholars have been astounded at the wordplay at work in these verses. Aside from the fact that this is divinely inspired scripture, the literary genius is truly remarkable:

City, Meaning of Name, Related Activity
1. Gath sounds like Hebrew for "tears" or "crying." The verse says to "weep not at all."
2. Beth-le-aphrah means "City of Dust." The verse says to "roll yourselves in the dust."
3. Shaphir sounds like Heb. for "beautiful." This city will be left "in nakedness and shame."
4. Zaanan sounds like Heb. for "moving around" or "coming out." The verse says that they won't come out.
5. Beth-ezel means "House of Taking Away." The song of weeping about this city will be so sad it will "take away" their ability even to stand.
6. Maroth sounds like Heb. for "bitter." This city is said to be waiting "anxiously for good" in the middle of this bitter disaster.
7. Lachish sounds like Heb. for "horses." The inhabitants of the city are encouraged to flee on horses and "chariots."
8. Moresheth-gath is related to the Heb. word me'orasah which means "one who is betrothed." The idea of "parting gifts" is related to the idea of a dowry that would go to a bride.
9. Achzib sound like Heb. for "deceptive." In turn, this city will be deceptive to the "rulers of Israel."
10. Mareshah sounds like Heb. for "conqueror." Now another "conqueror" will come to this city.
11. Adullam does not seem to have any apparent wordplay in place.

What an interesting literary device! This really brings home the emotion connection to these judgment verses. I'm trying to think of what this would look like if it was given to American cities:

...ships will flee from Anchorage.
...no angels will be found in Los Angeles.
...Fort Worth will be left utterly worthless.
...people in Nashville will grind their teeth.
...God will destroy the sorcerers in Wichita.

OK, so I'm obviously no Micah, but you get the idea. The main point is that when we read a little bit deeper into the texts of the scripture, it is amazing the layers that start to appear. I am left with little choice but to be amazed all over again at God's handiwork through these human authors that gave us the scriptures.

What Kind of Religion is This?

“In a sermon Dick Lucas once preached, he recounted an imaginary conversation between an early Christian and her neighbor in Rome.

“Ah,” the neighbor says. “I hear you are religious! Great! Religion is a good thing. Where is your temple or holy place?”

“We don’t have a temple,” replies the Christian. “Jesus is our temple.”

“No temple? But where do your priests work and do their ritual?”

“We don’t have priests to mediate the presence of God,” replies the Christian. “Jesus is our priest.”

“No priests? But where do you offer your sacrifices to acquire the favor of your God?”

“We don’t need a sacrifice,” replies the Christian. “Jesus is our sacrifice.”

“What kind of religion is this?” sputters the pagan neighbor.

And the answer is, it’s no kind of religion at all.”
—Tim Keller, King’s Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus, p. 48.