The most soul convicting books I have touched were those of men such as Watson, Baxter, Spurgeon, Pink - who were each avowed Calvinists, yet none of which valued a man's profession over his private sincerity. The same would be true of godly men of other stripes. The "great theologians" are often greatest in their ability to hold knowledge in its proper place.
Fellow student, consider this jewel of admonition:
"Doctrine is not an affair of the tongue, but of the life; it is not apprehended by the intellect and memory merely, like other branches of learning, but is received only when it possesses the whole soul and finds its seat and habitation in the in most recesses of the heart. Let them, therefore, either cease to insult God, by boasting that they are what they are not, or let them show themselves not unworthy disciples of their divine master." - John Calvin
Throughout my threads and posts I have sought to demonstrate an irenic, if direct tone, though I am not without many infirmities of judgment. I also abhor party spirit and sectarianism for argument's sake. But the issues concerned in theological studies are not trivial fodder more suitable to the "less mature." Are we willing to cast a shadow on the judgment of that host of godly men of both sides, who saw the urgency of the subjects they contended for?
We must strive against a misshapen emphasis upon "spiritual experience" which neglects further interaction with critical thinking. I fear we have forgotten that Jude's admonition to contend was primarily by refutation of error. Christ's prayer for sanctification in the Church was "by Thy truth."
The "deeper life" of a Christian is not primarily contained in profound sensations or pious behaviors, however beneficial or necessary these are, nor is it the aim of doctrine to produce these things. Knowledge is intended to produce a glorifying and insatiable adoration of God, who is known mediately through His revelations of the word, creation, redemption, and providence. Out of this adoration flows willing obedience, for "faith worketh by love." To denigrate the defense of right doctrines to a 'lesser calling' or lower life, as milk to be squabbled over by the immature, is to draw the curtains of truth which let in the light of pure worship. We can adore the beauty of the Lord no more than we can see Him, and the sight we enjoy is by information received through thought.
The glory of God is the Christian calling, and the more we fulfill this calling, the more we may be said to be mature. Spiritual maturity comes by the means of truth being applied, which necessitates truth being understood. The more one knows of God by His words and works, the more he may adore and obey of Him. He who knows one commandment and heeds it does better than he who knows two and does not; but he that knows three and keeps all does better than both. The man who learns one attribute of God and worships according to it does better than him that understands two and behaves irreverently; but the person who comprehends three with reverence worships with thrice the ardor of the first.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matt. 11:19
God bless you with a humble heart, brother learner.
