Theology in the head is a means for doxology in the heart

Let me introduce you to Mr trendy and Mr Priggish. Mr trendy is a man of fashionable religion. He attends a church so called "In the Now". His religion is of action, of love, of emotion and experience, without, that is, all the fuss of absolute truth claims on right and wrong interpretation of Christian doctrine. Our purpose, according to mr trendy, is to love and accept without division or judging ones beliefs.

His near neighbor mr priggish however would not agree with mr trendy's religion. Mr priggish is an outstanding member of "Prim and Proper Reformed Baptist Church". He prefers more of a so called "proper" religion, one that is only of intellectualism and scholarly exegesis. Mr trendy is to mr priggish a stain on true Christianity, which mr priggish defines as one of continual learning and debating the things of God.

Mr priggish's religion never escapes his mind to inform his heart, and mr trendy's Christianity is never informed by truth.

This is a silly allegory to demonstrate two major perspectives in mainstream Christianity today. These situations are presented as one of which a Christian must take sides on, as if these where the only two options. They are both off kilter.

Here is a very helpful principle I have learned as a Christian that I believe is an accurate representation of what Scripture teaches concerning the Christian life:

Theology in the head is a means for doxology in the heart

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22

James is writing his very practical letter to Christians in conflict, conflict which needs divine wisdom to resolve. After encouraging and reminding them that there is joy in trials, since trials are God's "good gift" (verse 17) he uses to test ones faith, James goes on to provoke his readers to practical Christianity mandated by the truth of the gospel (verse 18).

James' point is this: Obedience is the hallmark of the true child of God, and is characterized by both truly “hearing” and then resolutely “doing” the truth.

"Hearing" is the act of listening; that is attaining knowledge, learning, thinking, engaging the mind. This is what Scripture does. It teaches us (2 Tim 3:15-17). It is a divine means of God's grace to impart wisdom, wisdom that first leads to salvation, and then to a life lived for God's glory. Scripture teaches of propositional truth about who God is and who we are in relation to Him. Scripture informs us of God's kind plan to provide a Savior. Scripture informs our behavior. And Scripture does all this with the weight and authority of God Almighty since it is His Word to us.

"Doing" is the process of acting. I say it's a process because the Christian life is a life of progressive change. "Doing" is living a life informed by Scripture. This is the heart of wisdom.

Wisdom is both intellectual and behavioral. Wisdom is demonstrated by godly living. Godly living is informed by truth. Truth is encountered by the mind. The mind is a means to inform why we do what we do. It's a cycle. One needs the other to work properly. How kind of God to set it up this way.

The problem is that we don't naturally see it this way. But if we are going to avoid the pitfalls of both stuffy reformed churches as well as seeker sensitive churches we must grasp this principle.

Look at James' argument. The "doing" of verses 19 and 21 in putting off filthiness, wickedness, and anger and putting on being "quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger", is informed by the "hearing" of verse 21; that is the receiving of the "implanted word". The acting was motivated by the understanding of the gospel.

Look at verses 21-25. James continues his argument informing us that the person who knows truth and yet doesn't live a life informed by that truth is like a man who looks into a mirror and then leaves only to forget what he looks like.

James then concludes his argument in verses 26-27 whereby we are told that true religion to God, religion that is "pure and undefiled", is a Christianity that is active in life (helping the needy in affliction) and yet at the same time is a life that is "unstained from the world", which is impossible without some kind of objective standard for right and wrong.

The person who's Christianity is one of only ivory tower theology and the person who's Christianity is without objective truth is deceived, and their religion is worthless (verse 26).

Theology in the head (that is the "hearing; learning) is a means for doxology in the heart (that is living a life of worship to God). You can't have one without he other.

Miles