I'm currently working through Paul's epistle to Titus. I noticed something. In Titus 1, Paul told him to appoint elders with certain qualifications. One of those qualifications was that they be "sensible" (Titus 1:8). Hmm, sensible. What is that, exactly? Various translations include "serious-minded," "self-controlled," "sober," and "discreet," to name a few. The actual word used there is σώφρων -- sōphrōn. It's a combination of two other Greek words meaning "safe" and "mind." Essentially "of sound mind." Now, that's odd, isn't it? I mean, most Christians I know would say that the mind has very little to do with it. There is a strong current in much of conservative Christianity that is opposed to intellectualism. They lean more toward "feels like." Oh, they'll cast it in spiritual terms. You know, "follow the Spirit" and things like that. Because that seems more ... spiritual. Is that more biblical?
When Jesus was asked about the most important commandment, He didn't hesitate. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matt 22:37). Yes, we know that. But, did you notice? Right there, in all that "love," is "your mind." We are commanded to love God with all our minds. Paul calls on us to "be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Rom 12:2). There's that "mind" thing again. Paul wrote, "To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Rom 8:6). Strange, isn't it? You'd have thought we were supposed to set our hearts, our emotions, our affections on the Spirit, but here Paul says that where our minds are set makes a big difference.
Here's what really struck me, then, back in Paul's letter to Titus. He said elders needed to be in sensible -- reasoning -- but he wasn't done. In the second chapter, he tells Titus that older men should, among other things, be "sensible" (Titus 2:2). There it is again. And that the older women should encourage the young women to "be sensible" (Titus 2:5). And for Titus to urge the young men to "be sensible" (Titus 2:6). And that Titus himself was to "live sensibly" (Titus 2:12). Now, I don't know about you, but I'm sensing a pattern here. It looks like all of us -- male, female, young, old -- should pay close attention to being sound of mind. Thinking. Or, in Jesus's terms, loving God with, among other things, all our minds. Think about it. that is, as long as you're not opposed to using your mind.
7 comments:
We too often seem to forget that in order to love someone, we need to know them. And I have found that the more I know about Him, the more I love Him.
What you wrote here, Stan, makes good sense to me. :) I have learned that truly understanding Christianity can keep a thinking person occupied for a whole lifetime. Thank God for sound minds to know and love Him better!
"There is a strong current in much of conservative Christianity that is opposed to intellectualism."
Really? That sounds like a conservative posture to you? Sounds far more like our lefty friends to me.
Unfortunately, Art, a lot of Christians look askance at intellectualism. Too much like "walk by sight," they think. Probably influenced by cultural learning, they fear. They seem to put a higher value on "going with the Spirit" as if that's in direct opposition to thinking.
Unfortunately Marshal, people have been opposed to doctrinal thinking in the church for at least 40 years, pushing for more feeling than knowing.
Again, Stan and David, what you describe sounds more like leftism than conservatism to me. Typically, negative attitudes towards "intellectuals" by conservatives is more of a facetious thing...that those who posture as intellectuals are those who thinking themselves wise, are more fool. But I would say that using one's mind properly, objectively, with an eye toward truth is intellectualism as it truly is.
Just sayin'.
I understand that you believe that, Art. Just doing a quick search on "Christian anti-intellectualism," I found an article from Christian Research Institute, another from crossexamined.org, and a third from Stand to Reason. They all address the problem of anti-intellectualism in the church. I've encountered it often myself. Apparently you haven't.
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