Christian Learning: A Two-Edged Sword

This week I began my last semester of seminary. Because it’s my last semester, a particular question has been on my mind: What’s the role of learning in the Christian life? That is, how is knowledge about the Christian faith related to the life of Christian discipleship? Following are a few thoughts.

It seems that Christian learning is a two-edged sword. The good side? Knowledge of God may persuade us to love God, and it may persuade us to follow his Son. Moreover, growth in the knowledge of God may lead to growth in love for Him, and growth in the knowledge of Christ may lead to growth into his image. All good things, right?

Because of this potentially positive relationship between growth in knowledge and growth in Christ, it should come as no surprise that Scripture consistently commends Christian learning. A few examples are worth noting.

• Acts 2:42 records how the earliest Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.”
• Colossians 1:28 speaks of “teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”
• Hebrews 5:11-14 rebukes those who have been lax in their learning and have become “dull in understanding.” They need “milk” instead of “solid food”, much like “an infant, unskilled in the word of righteousness.”

So learning about the Christian faith is both a necessity and, if met with the obedience of faith, a joy that makes possible a deeper love for God and a deeper relationship with his Son. That’s the good side of the two-edged sword called knowledge.

The bad side? Apart from the obedience of faith – that is, apart from the Holy Spirit, personally living as Lord of one’s life – mere knowledge brings the wrath of condemnation. (Harsh? Yes…but also true.) Moreover, greater knowledge may bring greater wrath. Luke 12:47-48 is our warning:

• “That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”

Given the preceding verses, the twofold temptation is (1) to run away from learning about God and (2) to dismiss the question of who we ought to be. However, to do that would be not just a mistake, but a sin. We cannot love what we do not know, and because we were made to love God (indeed we are commanded to love God), we are thereby obligated to know Him more and more.

It must be said that the problem with knowledge is not knowledge in itself, but rather knowledge apart from the obedience of faith. That’s because mere “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1) Knowledge (even knowledge of God) tempts us to arrogance, but ultimately God “will put an end to the pride of the arrogant.” (Isaiah 13:11)

So it’s certain: knowledge of the Christian faith is a two-edged sword. It may bring great joy, or great misery. The difference depends on whether such knowledge is met with the obedience of faith. Said differently, it depends on whether the one with such knowledge receives not mere knowledge, but also the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

So I guess the final question that must be asked is how one gets this Spirit. And to that question, Jesus answers clearly: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” (Luke 11:13)

Thus, truly Christian learning is a prayerful enterprise. It isn’t merely an academic endeavor born out of vain curiosity and conducted in arrogance. No, it is rather a prayer born out of humility and led by Christ’s Spirit of grace and truth. (John 1:14) Its ultimate end? Greater love for God.