“Do you know the Christ of the Gospels? Or have you fallen into the trap to which Christians (especially, perhaps, Reformed Christians) who love doctrine and systematic theology are sometimes susceptible (unlike John Calvin, it should be said): fascination with dogmatic formula at the expense of love for the Savior’s person?….False teaching, be it doctrinal or ethical, always will have the effect of making us “major on minors”, obscuring from us the central glory of the Lord Jesus Himself. We cannot always easily articulate what is wrong with such influences. But the context suggests we should ask: ‘Is this teaching by which I am being influenced leading me to love and trust Jesus Christ more? Or less? Have I exchanged communion with Christ for caviling about incidentals?'”
-“In Christ Alone,” Page 67
(HT To Horace Lamb)
Interesting thoughts. Do we love Christ or do we just love the creeds?
Excellent point. Like Sinclair Ferguson, I am one of those Reformed Christians who has allowed a fascination with doctrine get in the way of my love for Jesus. Jonathan Edwards’ “Religious Affections” has been a valuable resource to prod me back to a love for Christ. The Holy Spirit must become more than a just bullet point in our Systematic Theology books.
How would my wife react if I had more affection for my wedding ring than I did for her? In the same way we must allow the Spirit to create deep religious affection for Christ and avoid the trap of falling in love with our creeds. If our creeds, convictions, and confessions become an end in themselves, and lead us not to Christ, then they are of no spiritual worth at all.
I feel pretty certain that Luther, Augustine, Calvin, and Edwards would all feel the same way.
Amen, indeed! Having gone through a Reformed seminary, I have seen and experienced this first hand. It is quite amazing and depressing to ask a seminarian how their walk with Jesus is going. It is normally not going very well. Ask them what the believe about supralapsarianism or the circumincession of the Holy Trinity, and you’ll see a bit more excitement.
Any ideas on the cause of this problem? Why is it that the knowing and understanding great truths about our God and Savior can sometimes squelch our love and wonder of Him?
Peace,
BJ
Stupid Scholar
Daily Bible Reflections
BJ,
Let me offer my 2 cents worth in answer to your question. I think the cause of the problem lies in what James says in his epistle.
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6 NKJV
A lot of those who are theologically astute are proud that they aren’t like those aren’t theologically astute. Of course it works the other way around as well, a lot of those who aren’t into theology are proud that they are into walking with Jesus and not studying theology. And I’ve been guilty of pride from both sides of that fence. I think this verse gives a good warning to those on both sides.
Pilgrim,
Thanks for the insight. That hit closer to home than I would have preferred :). I think you are probably correct in your estimation, at least in many cases… including my own.
BJ
Stupid Scholar
Daily Bible Reflections