Falling Off Either Side of that Head/Heart Horse...

Some Christians pietistically say they worship God from the heart and dispise those other Christians who are always thinking and studying scripture and theology and quibbling and thinking about the exact interpretation of a verse. "Stop being so pickey", they say, "Just worship God! The Bible is so simple, so much thinking gets in the way of the heart!"

on the other hand...

There are those Christians who proudly say that they worship God by studying the Bible and reading tons of theology and dispise those other Christians who are always talking about how they feel and how their heart is doing and seem to be very excited about their (often) wrong , out-of-context interpretations of scripture. "Stop being so touchy feely", they say, "Just purchase a study Bible for goodness sake, you sound more like Dr. Phil than the Apostle Paul!"

While these are extreme poles of the issue. One usually tends toward either side.

Here is the truth

1. There will be no heart-felt love for Jesus without rigorous study and meditation of the Scriptures. Notice the connection between meditation (aka studied reflection) and joy, "I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimnonies. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise." Psalm 119:146-148


2. Your rigorous study has been done wrong if your heart is not aflame with love to Jesus. After your careful study of the Biblical text can you honestly say about the text the same thing this Psalmist says? "Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments." Psalm 119:129-131

Here is a quote that I read this evening from the biography on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones that addresses the second group in particular. Although Lloyd-Jones preached over 16 years through the book of Romans (he actually didn't finish the book) and for many years in London emphasized the need of people studying Biblical Theology (particularly by reading great works by Puritans) in great detail he still warned...

"An interest in theology which is not based on life is dangerous...Such was the position of the Pharisees and of many since. Sound theology can be as a great system in the same way that some people take up crossword puzzles."

So do whatever you need to do...but stay on top of that horse.