A recent conversation got me concerned. The ideas were not new to me, but what was interesting was the volley of ideas that kept coming, kept coming without biblical justification. A Christian of a number of years, explained it is not good when Christians have “head knowledge”. In other-words, we should not study the Bible and he was also negative about memorizing Scripture. Preparation before hand for our interactions with those who would oppose the Gospel was also criticized. Rather silence in the face of opposition was promoted by him. In addition, he was very negative concerning being evangelical, meaning we should not share the Gospel verbally. Our lives only should shine our Christianity (This should be a given for all, but it’s not to be our only witness, it does not negate our verbal evangelism. Our words are part of our life.).
However, none of these thoughts were backed up with Scripture. One can’t be too surprised because these ideas are not scriptural and second, since it was expressed that one should not study Scripture, how could one know?
When a mature Christian expresses such things, I do not have much patience. What is even worse is when one has some sort of leadership in the body of Christ with these ideas. These ideas are foundationaly debased and detrimental to Christendom. These are not only confused ideas but also antithetical to Christ’s and the apostle’s teachings and actions.
These ideas are logical deviant, they defeat themselves. One express knowledge (or lack thereof) advocating no knowledge. One seems prepared to defend a view, verbally. One share’s a “gospel” of silent evangelism with words.
If I would have asked, logic and reason would probably have been attacked as well. No wonder, these ideas are counter to logic and the Bible, which is also logical.
Here are some passages that I shared with this person (and more I did not). Maybe these will help you prepare for these type of ideas.
Knowledge and Bible Study:
- All of Proverbs for example 14:18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
- Philippians 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Memorizing Scripture:
- Psalm 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
- II Timothy 3:14 -15 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Prepare for Interactions:
- 1 Peter 3:15- 16 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
- Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Being Silent and Evangelism:
- 2 Timothy 2:25-26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
- Matthew 28:19 – 20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
My Thoughts
There are a number of verses that come to my mind when I hear people says things like this. While I know many of these may be talking about other situations, I just can’t but help see the parallel. The words seem to fit so well.
Jesus also had no patience for those who were willing to teach without knowledge. He said this in Luke 11:52
“Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.”
“Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.”
Also, I do think some “…have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” (Romans 10:2) These type of people have not left the elementary doctrines of Christ to go on to maturity, but like to lay the foundation of repentance and faith again (Hebrews 6:1).
However, as Christians we need to follow 11 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
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What “Christian” ideas have you come across that you don’t think are Biblical? What are your biblical bases for your thoughts? Do you agree with any of the thoughts of the person I interacted with? If so, what and why?
The knowledge aspect of Christianity is what keeps me faithful when all things in the world go against it. The mind is essential to knowing Christ and living for Him. But, churches are more fear than fierce and are ignorant of the fate such as do not come to Christ.
Lifestyle Evangelism may look attractive and effective, but in doing only that we defy the Lord's commandment in Mt.28:19-20. We need to preach and teach the Word.
Yes, you are right. It is essential, but not sufficient for following Christ's commands.
the bit about not figuring ahead of time what to say is probably drawn from what Jesus said regarding how to act when hauled before a persecutor of the faith and God will give us the words to speak, NOT the context of normal conversation or soul winning efforts.
Christine, I think you are right.