A place for intellectuals within the church

I have finished the structure for a book i am writing on “Marks of a Christian Disciple”. Over the last century, at the turn of the 20th century, anti-intellectualism has crept into the evangelical circle that no longer Christianity looks favourably on the role of intellectualism in the Church context, and within the framework of Christianity.

Rick M.Nanez, an Assembly of God missionary who went on to say

Anti-intellectualism keeps us from affecting our insitutions and their various departments with solid Christian thinking. It hinders our ability to think in terms of worldview, that is, to understand the hundreds of otherwise fragmented areas of life in a coherent way. If we are suspicious of the intellect, we are hamstrung when it comes to providing well-thought out answers to difficult quesitons from critics and skeptics. Anti-intellectualism can also lead to dangerous forms of mysticism and a type of superstitious faith. I believe that anti-intellectualism tends to lead Christians into relatively superficial spiritual lives, at least, in comparison to the impact they could make if they engaged in thinking on purpose for the glory of God. Also, mediocrity in the life of the mind leads the Christian subculture to criticize, fear, and condemn the secular institutions that their anti-intellectual, evangelical, and Pentecostal parents and grandparents abandoned the generations before.

I can see objections forming on the argument, that a Christian life has degenerated into superficiality when intellectualism is missing as part of the discipline of a Christian. I would like to put things into perspective.

A Christian life that strives on emotions, is like a boat being tossed around in the storm. A Christian life that despise emotions is no difference from the rigidity of the Law. And there are arguments that can a Christian really able to live life passionately as much as embracing the intellectualistic aspects of the faith? I believe so, and rightly so, this forms the structure and the approach my first book will take on – a Passionate Christian Disciple.

I love what John Piper said

If we take our doctrines into our hearts where they belong, they can cause upheavals of emotion and sleepless nights. This is far better than toying with academic ideas that never touch life.

In my book, it is my passionate pursuit of living out the doctrines and theology, than toying with the idea of Christian Intellectualism, where it never hurt a fly, much less to create a dent in the Kingdom of Darkness with our Sword, adorned in full armour reflecting the glory of God. It is my deepest conviction that the world needs not emotional hypes or appeals to the same, but a courageous example that stood out in the fortress of knowledge that exalts God, one that remains subject to the fiery passion of His sovereignty. That’s my pursuit, my passion and my call.

Is this the gospel?

A friend wrote on facebook notes

You are writing a Gospel,
A chapter each day

By the deeds that you do
And the words that you say

Men read what you write
whether faithful or true

Just what is the Gospel
according to you?

– Anonymous

Can this be the gospel? Our lives? Our words? What we write? Our life is a testament, a reflection of the Gospel and its work on our lives. Can what we write or how we live it be really the gospel? Then, this is consistent with the Emerging Church doctrines that we are indeed can be god. The scriptures spoke plainly of the Gospel which is the good news of Jesus coming down from heaven, dying for our sins on the Cross, and through faith in Him we are justified, and He is coming back soon. That’s the gospel and Apostle Paul urged us to continue to be faithful to the message of the Gospel. Do not change the message of the gospel thinking we are the message.