tranforming knowledge

Thanks Monica (and J.I. Packer) for a great reminder about how head knowledge, without action, is useless.

However, I would like to balance that thought with what I believe to be even a greater epidemic with Christians today. The epidemic that I speak of is... ignorance.

According to J.I. (and Monica's post) doctrine without action is useless. But there is a bigger problem... The sad truth is that most Christians don't even have any doctrine to start with. In fact, many Christians champion the fact that one doesn't need doctrine! He simply must live out biblical principles.

This thinking completely ignores scripture. Scripture teaches us that God transforms us by doctrine.
Jesus prayed to the Father...

John 17:17

"Sanctify them in your truth, your word is truth."

2 Corithians 3:18

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

We can't be changed without beholding God. How do we behold God? How does he reveal himself? His character?

In his word.

Sanctification starts with renewing our minds.

J.P. Moreland said: (thanks to my new friend Austin at Grace for introducing me to Moreland and the other pure philosophers)

“The mind is the soul’s primary vehicle for making contact with God. And it plays the foundational role in the process of maturation and spiritual formation...the mind.”

If we forget the mind and focus soley on the "do", then we become like Martha. Remember Mary and Martha when Jesus was over? Martha "doing, doing, doing". Mary sitting and listening. Who did Jesus commend? Mary, for listening.

Those who focus soley on the do without the constant beholding and learning are focused on law. It's similar to the pharisees - always focused on "do". Instead we focus on grace. The effectual grace that transforms us - santifying us by beholding God's glory through the deep truths of His character in scripture.