When I began studying theology at university, I was blown away by how much more a person could learn about things which seem so familiar. Not only was it an immense privilege and joy to open the Bible and delve into its treasures, but – without sounding too much like a nerd – I thought it was so, so cool!
I mean, you get to read beautiful manuscripts, study ancient languages, dive into scholarship covering ancient history, archaeology and philosophy. Who doesn’t think that’s cool?
But if you’re anything like me, the more you grow in your ‘head’ knowledge, the easier it seems to walk into church (or the Christian Union) with your head held particularly high. Either you, or people you know, have uttered the words,
‘Well actually, theologian X says…’, or
‘Well if you consider ancient Graeco-Roman history, you will actually see…’,
and my personal favourite, ‘Well if you read the original Hebrew (like I can)…’.
Theology students, in particular, have a hard battle to fight when it comes to growing in godliness and Christlikeness – simply because of the nature of our work and the spheres of life and church we’re in. Because of this, let’s take some time to ask ourselves three questions which I personally use as my tool to question my own growth in godliness – doing everything I can to keep my ‘heart’ growth commensurate with my ‘head’ growth.
Am I growing in gentleness?
Have you ever been in a room full of pastors? I regularly attend conferences where I’m surrounded by pastors, and often the most significant thing I tell my wife once I’m home is, ‘Wow, those guys are so gentle’. Such pastors regularly reflect Christ’s own gentleness and lowliness in heart (Matthew 11:29), showing that shepherding God’s weak and weary children is a task for those who’ve been trained (and tested) in gentleness and love.
So often in academic theology, we’re tempted to focus on facts, hypotheses and arguments, that even when interacting with others, we begin to lose focus on people’s emotions and hearts. I’ve learned the hard way to always err on the side of gentleness with people, especially when talking about theological matters that I know way more about than my friends.
I’m so glad the Bible wasn’t written as a list of doctrines, rules or historical events, but as a pastoral document at heart. When we’re tempted to allow our ‘head’ knowledge to grow beyond our capacity to be gentle with God’s people, we lose touch with the Bible we claim to know.
Am I growing in humility?
You may have heard the famous quote, ‘Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” (Warren 2002) This is pithy and true, but we can go further: Humility is thinking less of yourself; that is, everything about you that isn’t like Jesus. What did Paul think when he compared himself and his achievements to the treasure that is the gospel?
“… I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”
Humility is choosing to take the ‘lowest seat’ of honour at the banquet (Luke 14:10) because we know that’s where we belong. Everything beyond that is merely given, called grace. One of my favourite quotes to remember regarding humility is from Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, “There’s always a bigger fish”. The moment I’m tempted to think I’m ‘cool’ because I’m ‘awesome’ at academic theology, I’m forced to imagine myself next to my lecturers, next to world-class biblical scholars and theologians, or again the apostle Paul, and look like a Padawan learner (that’s a child Jedi-in-learning for those too ‘cool’ to know).
How does humility apply in the life of a theology student? Creatively caricaturing a senior demon’s advice to a lesser demon, C.S Lewis (1942) imaginatively writes, “Surely you know that if a man can't be cured of churchgoing, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighbourhood looking for the church that "suits" him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches.”
When we walk into church or the Christian Union, let’s make sure we’re sitting humbly under God’s Word, eager to listen, eager to apply what we hear, and eager to encourage others, and be encouraged – or challenged – by them.
But don’t worry! Growing in humility is a true joy as we experience the freedom of self-forgetfulness and focus on who truly matters – Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega of all knowledge.
Am I growing in godly talk?
One pastor at a conference I attended told the sad story of some theology students in his church who, when sharply (and unnecessarily) debating some minute theological detail as if it were a game of ‘Top Trumps’, they were totally unaware of the new Christian girl at their table. Listening to the complexities of their talk and their bitter tones caused her to walk away crying – shaken in her own confidence to understand Scripture, and shaken in her trust in Christians.
These guys, probably imagining themselves as Martin Luther and John Calvin having a light chinwag over coffee, were actually damaging God’s church. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:3-6:
“…command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.”
Let me stand aside for one moment and draw out some extracts from Kevin DeYoung's article, ‘Distinguishing Marks of a Quarrelsome Person’ (2019) which I could rename, ‘Distinguishing Marks of a Theology Student who Needs to Grow in Godly Talk’:
“You might be a quarrelsome person if . . .
You defend every conviction with the same degree of intensity. There are no secondary or tertiary issues. Everything is primary. You’ve never met a hill you wouldn’t die on.
…
Your only model for ministry and faithfulness is the showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Or the only Jesus you like is the Jesus who cleared the money changers from the temple. Those are real examples in Scripture. But the Bible is a book, and sarcasm and whips are not the normal method of personal engagement.
…
You have no unarticulated opinions. Do people know what you think of everything? They shouldn’t. That’s why you have a journal or a prayer closet or a dog.
You are unable to sympathize with your opponents. You forget that sinners are also sufferers. You lose the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.
Your first instinct is to criticize; your last instinct is to encourage. Quarrelsome people almost always see others in need of rebuke, rarely in need of refreshing.
…
You have never changed your mind. If you haven’t changed your mind on an important matter in several presidents, I wonder if you are a Christian or even alive. Of course, truth never changes, and neither should many of our convictions. But quarrelsome people stir up strife because, already knowing everything, they have no need to listen, learn, or ask questions.”
Growing in godly talk is part of growing in holiness. It means knowing when to speak, and knowing when it’s not worth it. It means knowing how to use our theological speech to build people up, not to win arguments. It means being willing to listen and to learn.
But Christian readers, dear theology students, don’t panic! Remember that we’re not without hope nor help. Like the apostle Paul, we have the Holy Spirit in us – working, assisting, enabling. When we are weak, His grace makes us strong (2 Corinthians 12:10), and our Father stands with open arms ready to comfort His children who, knowing they have nothing to offer Him, humbly say, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)
Growing in godliness is really a journey of stepping outside the spotlight and allowing Jesus to take centre stage. Doing this takes the pressure off us, allowing us to work hard, grow in knowledge, and have our hearts aligned with Christ’s more and more with every step. When we carry our hefty books, ancient manuscripts and Greek lexicons to the foot of the cross, we can find strength to grow – in true academic excellence, and humble Christ-like character.
Enjoyed this? Try this next: Listening Well to Preaching
References
DeYoung, K. (2019). Distinguishing Marks of a Quarrelsome Person. The Gospel Coalition. Available at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/distinguishing-marks-quarrelsome-person/ [accessed on 07/12/2023].
Lewis, C.S. (1942). The Screwtape Letters. London: Geoffrey Bles.
Warren, R. (2002). The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
