Loving God With Our Minds

After I returned from a sabbatical, I shared with the pastors in the Rocky Mountain District that I had read several books during my time away. I called attention to one book I found especially stimulating. It challenged Christians, especially Pentecostals, to not be afraid of using their intellect. In a letter to our pastors I stated, “This is a dangerous book that may challenge some in leadership and also laity who have unknowingly adopted the philosophy that ‘the dumber I am, the more the Holy Spirit can use me.’ ”

Someone questioned my statement. The person asked if I was implying that God only used educated people. He then told of a godly man he knew who only had an elementary education, but yet God used the man mightily.

Of course God can use anyone — He will even use an ass (Numbers 22, KJV) if He needs to. But the point is this: I believe if this brother — who only has an elementary education — refuses to love God with his mind and intellect and refuses to learn, grow, and study, he will miss much of what God has for him. I believe his eventual effectiveness will be cut short. Tragically, I know people who are uneducated and proud of that fact. They see this as a special badge. God always resists pride, whether it is about academic prowess or lack of it. But the point is this: God wants all of us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind.

Paul exhorted Timothy: “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV). The NIV reads: “Do your best to present yourself as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

The word translated “study” is spoudazo. It is used 11 times in the New Testament. It speaks of hard work, diligence, effort, study, exerting oneself, zeal, labor — all in the context of handling God’s Word.

My challenge to Assemblies of God ministers and students is simply: Part of passionately loving God is a desire to use our mind to study, to stretch ourselves intellectually, to begin and finish endeavors that may require some level of academic rigor, to exert ourselves in the study of God’s Word and other disciplines that can help us lead more effectively.

You have heard the adage, “I’d rather be a fool on fire than a scholar on ice.” No one wants to be dry in his walk with God. But Pentecostals have for too long bought into the lie that if you pursue academics, if you desire to study diligently, you will lose your passion for the things of God.

Am I saying that God prefers those with a college education? No. I’ve met college graduates who are idiots, and I’ve met people without formal theological education who are brilliant — who have exhibited spoudazo.

I believe the best learning preparation for life, and especially for church leadership, is a 4-year degree at one of our Assemblies of God schools. Yes, an AG college is expensive and their church leadership programs are difficult and require academic rigor. But I hope that our future church leaders are willing to make sacrifices and work hard so they can build a solid foundation for their ministry.

I applaud Christian liberal arts education. I am convinced that the Assemblies of God can provide the best training for church leadership, but also world-class education in every discipline. Why not? Why should we limit the power of the Spirit of God to help us love God with our minds.

Yes, without God, our intellect will fail us. And yes, without God, our intellect can lead us astray. We desperately need Him in all aspects of our lives.

I challenge Assemblies of God leaders and laity to renew their commitment to love God with their mind and to study to show themselves approved unto God.