Jesus commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, MIND and strength (Mark 12:30). Too much of modern, western Christianity has fallen for our cultural obsession with experience and has failed to foster the intellectual pursuit of, and love for God. Church historian Mark Noll has stated the the scandal of the evangelical mind is that there is none!
Theology, as one of the saints put it, is simply faith seeking understanding. We have an amazing God-given resource in our brain and the intellectual capacity it contains. Failure to wrestle with big questions, to seek some resolution to our doubts or to plunge into the breadth and depth of scripture is, in some ways, a failure to love God as we should. Of course ours is a big God. And so the more I come to understand the Mystery that is at the heart of the universe, the more I come to know I don’t understand (1 Corinthians 13:12). But what a journey – and adventure – it is.
There are three ways I encourage you to love God with your mind this year.
DAILY read the bible. If you have not already done son, read it from cover to cover over the course of the year. Use daily reading notes like Every Day with Jesus.
WEEKLY (or fortnightly) meet with others in a small group to explore the scriptures together and converse over issues where faith intersects with life. The scriptures tell us that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). We need the encouragement of others in our pursuit of God.
MONTHLY read a Christian book. There are plenty of good ones available (amongst a lot of lightweight dross). A great start is Tim Keller’s, The Reason for God. Check my blog for my current reading, and books that have left their mark on me.
God gave you a brain. Use it. Love God with it.
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