...Knowledge
puffs up, but love edifies. – 1Co 8:1.
What are the
chances that a person who holds a Doctorate in “Religion and Critical New
Testament Studies” will turn out to be a saved Believer? Very unlikely, (at
least from my observations). It seems the more knowledgeable some people get
about the Bible, the more atheistic they become. Yet some other persons study
the same scriptures and become great blessings to themselves and to their
generation.
I have
categorised these two different types of Bible students into “Bible Scholars”
and “Bible Fans”.
A “Bible
Scholar” is one who studies the Bible for the sake of knowledge acquisition and
mental stimulation. They are voracious and avid studiers of everything
Scripture. They may be fluent in Koine Greek, ancient Hebrew and Aramaic, are
up to date on Middle Eastern archaeological finds and are versed in all the
various ancient manuscripts.
If you want to
preach to a “Word Scholar”, the moment you mention “John 3:16”, they’ll quickly
analyse mentally all that they know about that verse. This is because they’re
already familiar with its historical setting, literary context and grammatical
features. They’re also aware of the choice of words used by the author, the
text genre, and parallel passages.
They probably
have written dissertations on the Eschatological and Christological
implications of John 3:16 and as true students of Church history, are
conversant with what the writings of the Church fathers – Tertullian,
Augustine, Kempis , Luther, Calvin, Wesley, down even to the Reverend Billy
Graham – have to say on this most popular verse of scripture...
In short, a
“Word Scholar” knows everything about everything and you have nothing to tell
them.
A “Word Fan”, on
the other hand, may possess all of the above knowledge, yet at your mention of
“John 3:16” they get excited at what you have to say about that
favourite verse. The fact that you’re not likely going to say anything is
irrelevant to them; as long as it’s the Word of God, they want to hear it over
and over again.
Knowledge does
puff up (1Co 8:1), and Rom 1:22 speaks of those who Professing themselves to be
wise, become fools. But God says “The meek will he teach His way” (Psa
25:9).
Which would you
rather be then, a “Word Scholar”, or a “Word Fan”?
AMEN.
More Blessings
await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.
GREG ELKAN
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