It is often alleged that biblical scholarship is determined by colleges or
universities attended, degrees obtained, vocabulary used, and accolades
bestowed. Those things may constitute the criteria used by academia
to define scholarship, but they are not the true bases upon which one
defines biblical scholarship.
The right kind of education is very important. It gives one some of
the needed tools for his own mental development, and for his
contributions to humanity. A person should seek to attain as much
education as he needs to "keep his feet on the ground." There is nothing
inherently wrong with being both religiously and secularly educated. We
want to avoid intellectual snobbery on both sides of the academic fence.
There are people who have attained educational status at the "doctorate"
level, yet they find no grounds for boasting. They let the facts speak for
themselves. Instead of calling undue attention to themselves, they resolve
to "hide behind the cross," and allow the word of God to be the
centerpiece of their life's work. (1 Cor. 2:1-5)
Academic achievements alone are not the basis of true scholarship.
Evidence of this can be seen in the fact that many men and women who
have PhD's are unable (or unwilling) to understand the simplest texts in
God's word. (Mat. 16:18; 25:46; Acts 2:38; Eph. 5:19, etc.) They have
spent many years learning, but are unable to come to the knowledge of
the truth.
Genuine scholarship involves thoroughness of research, depth of
thought, mastery of material, and accuracy of reasoning. These are the
things for which God's scholars strive, regardless of where they obtained
their education. A Bible scholar is a person who has spent years
believing, loving, thoroughly researching, applying, and defending God's
word against all attacks in and out of the kingdom of God.
RD
Copyright 2011
universities attended, degrees obtained, vocabulary used, and accolades
bestowed. Those things may constitute the criteria used by academia
to define scholarship, but they are not the true bases upon which one
defines biblical scholarship.
The right kind of education is very important. It gives one some of
the needed tools for his own mental development, and for his
contributions to humanity. A person should seek to attain as much
education as he needs to "keep his feet on the ground." There is nothing
inherently wrong with being both religiously and secularly educated. We
want to avoid intellectual snobbery on both sides of the academic fence.
There are people who have attained educational status at the "doctorate"
level, yet they find no grounds for boasting. They let the facts speak for
themselves. Instead of calling undue attention to themselves, they resolve
to "hide behind the cross," and allow the word of God to be the
centerpiece of their life's work. (1 Cor. 2:1-5)
Academic achievements alone are not the basis of true scholarship.
Evidence of this can be seen in the fact that many men and women who
have PhD's are unable (or unwilling) to understand the simplest texts in
God's word. (Mat. 16:18; 25:46; Acts 2:38; Eph. 5:19, etc.) They have
spent many years learning, but are unable to come to the knowledge of
the truth.
Genuine scholarship involves thoroughness of research, depth of
thought, mastery of material, and accuracy of reasoning. These are the
things for which God's scholars strive, regardless of where they obtained
their education. A Bible scholar is a person who has spent years
believing, loving, thoroughly researching, applying, and defending God's
word against all attacks in and out of the kingdom of God.
RD
Copyright 2011
I remember a quote from the past that I have kept for ready use:
ReplyDeleteThe true disciple is obedient rather than ambitious, committed rather than competitive. For him, nothing is more important than pleasing the one who called him.
Your article expounds on that principle of humility and servitude.