The Spiritual and the Academic

James 1:22

Introduction

  • Story of two window cleaners facing occupational hazards
  • Highlighting the dangers of various jobs
  • Comparison of different professions and their inherent risks,
  • introducing the concept of spiritual hazards for seminary students

Problem Statement

  • Observation from student evaluations about spiritual coldness despite frequent contact with scriptures
  • Example of a student who experienced spiritual coldness during seminary

Root Cause

  • Questioning why spiritual fervor decreases despite studying scriptures
  • Suggests the issue lies in the approach to scripture
  • The fallacy of approaching scriptures only intellectually rather than with both head and heart

Scriptural Examples

  • Examples from scripture emphasizing obedience:
    • Pharisees
    • Jesus’ teachings
    • Moses in Deuteronomy
    • James 1:22
    • Ezra 7:10
  • Warning against moving from studying to teaching without obedience
  • Emphasizing the need for personal application

Solutions and Suggestions

  • Recognize the Supernatural Element in Learning
    • Emphasis on the need for both academic and spiritual pursuits, integrating the Word and the Holy Spirit
    • Importance of faculty living out the truth and teaching with conviction
    • Practical examples from Paul’s letters
      1. 1 Thessalonians
      2. Philippians
    • The necessity of making classroom experiences spiritually engaging
  • Relate the Word to Personal Needs
    • Encouragement to identify personal areas of need and apply scripture to those areas
    • Importance of faculty and students asking “So what?” to connect learning to life application
  • Remove Obstacles to the Holy Spirit
    • The role of sin in causing spiritual coldness
    • The need for readiness and receptiveness to the Holy Spirit
    • Encouragement to pray for openness and eagerness to apply God's truth
  • Respond to the Truth with Action
    • Encouragement to put truth into practice and work on specific habits or projects for spiritual growth
    • Reference to Francis Schaeffer’s emphasis on obeying scripture and living out inerrancy

Conclusion

  • Final exhortation to avoid intellectual-only study and strive for spiritual transformation through the Word
  • Vision for renewed spiritual vitality, excitement about the Word, and spiritual impact on the world
  • Quotation from Johann Bingle: “Apply yourself wholly to the text, and apply the text wholly to yourself.”

Closing Prayer

  • Prayer for applying scripture in a way that honors and glorifies Jesus Christ

*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.

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