CHRISTIANITY OF THE HEAD

The recent postings and comments of bloggers such as Scotwise, Callmeteem, and Jesusworld have got me thinking about a practice I’m calling intellectual Christianity. It’s a form of Christianity that is practiced in the head. Intellectual Christians consider what Christianity could or should be like, expouse Christian values and ethics and even, on occasion, offer strategies for growing the Kingdom – but that’s it – that’s as far as their output seems to travel – the head. It is Christianity as an intellectual exercise – nothing more.

My interest in exploring this activity stems from the fact that I recognize this practice in myself. I love Christ. I reflect constantly on how I measure up to his standard and example in dealing with my family, the workplace and with the everyday stuff of life. But sometimes there’s a yawning chasm between my considerations and my actions. I’m aware of a tendency to gently edit my responses to certain promptings of the Holy Spirit – particularly in regard to evangelism.

Don’t get me wrong – I do testify to the workings of the Holy Spirit in my life, to the incredible changes I have undergone since giving my heart to Christ, but I tend to choose when and how I do it. Opportunities will sometimes be ignored because they don’t fit with my agenda or they threaten a level of discomfort. I rationalise such inactivity by reminding my self of past achievements and promising to act in the future – but that’s not scriptural.

Scripture calls us to obey God’s word. That means to “hear it” and act accordingly. Failure to act is disobedience, and disobedience is a reflection of the true nature of our faith. Is it a faith driven by an overwhelming love for Christ or is it a faith of convenience?

I recently took on the responsibility of teaching religious education to ten year olds at a local school. I didn’t want to but I knew I could and felt I should. On this occasion I obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the results have been phenomenal. Children who did not know Christ and were not doing the subject are turning up to the classes and participating with gusto. I am truly seeing God’s hand at work, but I needed to obey him to see it.

I am guilty of intellectual Christianity, but evidence suggests that I am not the only one. Last week Tim Plett (Callmeteem) challenged bloggers to take their internet enthusiams on to the street and talk to somebody. I agree, but let’s not just do it because Tim has suggested it, lets do it because we know it is God’s calling on our life. Let’s not do it because we feel guilty, but because of our deep felt love for Christ, and let’s not just do it when it’s convenient but every time that still, small voice prompts us to obey him.

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."…….
If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. (John14: 21-24).