M onday March 10
Knowledge and Experience: Part 1
Information was an irreplaceable component of Jesus’ message.
Information alone cannot transform, but every transformation includes
information. Certainly, concepts possess no inherent power for initiating change; God’s Spirit, however, working through human hearts,
constitutes the irreplaceable element necessary for conversion.
Read John 16:7–14. What is Jesus saying here that helps us to under-
stand how limited intellectual knowledge is, in and of itself, in the
understanding and experiencing of true Christianity?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Biblical knowledge coupled together with God’s Divine Spirit form
the spiritual combination that transforms individuals and societies. The
disciple-maker must strive for both of these in faith and study.
Christianity highly regards intelligence, thinking, and imagination.
The existence of reasoned thought throughout Scripture, the tremendous respect afforded teachers within Judaism, and the priceless attention that scribes devoted to preserving ancient writings all testify to the
importance of knowledge.
Christianity is not an irrational faith. Nevertheless, certain elements
within Christianity have elevated emotion, feeling, and experience
above knowledge. This mind-set declares that what people believe
is relatively unimportant because experience alone is meaningful.
Obedience and adherence to specific truths are deemed relatively
unimportant; emotion and religious excitement become the measuring
stick for spiritual genuineness.
Scripture’s very existence counters this mindless fascination with
experience. Experience without knowledge becomes a supercharged
missile without direction. Conversely, knowledg e without experience
becomes lifeless and oftentimes legalistic. True Christian leaders
understood the need to cultivate both of these elements, not only in
themselves but in those they disciple.
Think through all the good reasons that you have for your faith.
At the same time, what role has experience played? Why do we
need both?
_______________________________________________________
90