Theology: The Practical Push

“The primary purpose for pastors is to produce greater faith within the members of the church,” said my English professor at The Master’s College, Dr. Pilkey. He said it at least three times during the semester I studied with him.

I tended to agree with him, though he would often make theological propositions many deemed questionable. But he was always good at addressing the root of the matter, whether you agreed with him or not. Even though I’m still not sure I agree with that statement, I must concede it comes very close to my idea of what pastors and preachers try to do.

But how does someone “produce greater faith” in someone else’s heart? That’s such a hard idea to accept. Not only is it difficult to understand, it’s difficult to do.

I would characterize a preacher/teacher’s duty as this: explaining and applying God’s word to his congregation. The Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Jesus further elaborates that the entirety of Scripture points to him when he says, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.” (John 5:39) So all the Scripture is valid for “producing faith” in Dr. Pilkey’s terms.

Furthermore, Paul confirms this when he says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17)

With that settled, I simply have one observation to make about the way in which the Scripture generates faith within us. Specifically, I am referring to Christians when I say “us” at this point, though one could develop the principle in a different way to relate with people who are not in the church. Scripture generates faith within us by making God’s purposes clear. When we are made aware of the purposes of God throughout redemptive history, we see how our salvation is important.

Let me give a few examples:

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galations 5:1)

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12)

“Therefore as your have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6)

And consider this one,

“Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things; therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in the lack of all things; and He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.” (Deutoronomy 28:47-4

Do you see a pattern?

In each of these verses, we see that our righteous conduct is predicated not on the intensity of our will to do right, but on our recognition of the honor God has already bestowed upon us. Except for the last passage, all the other ones come at the end of a lengthy theological discussion. Paul has gone on and on about theology. Topics included in these passages are predestination, justification by faith, the propitiation of Christ on our behalf, God’s gift of his church to his son, salvation by grace, Christ’s death, and God’s love.  We realize he has been merciful, gracious, providential, even sacrificial. 

Do you enjoy studying or thinking about these things? If you don’t, or you do but you haven’t done it lately, perhaps you’ve found it particularly strenuous to act righteously.