Growing up I had a fascination with history, and therefore I would enjoy reading books about a whole array of historical events, figures, and issues. Many times, reading the first book would create a curiosity about the subject that would facilitate me reading additional books on the topic, including books and articles that were written at the time of the event or even material that was written by historical figures involved in the event. And what I would often find is that although the original book that I read had an impact on my thinking about a subject, the more I read about an issue, the more it was instilled in me the importance of critically analyzing a topic rather than just forming an opinion about it. So, if we apply this concept to our faith in God, then it is apparent that we should be committed to reading the Bible regularly and systematically. But additionally, we should be studying those issues we read about in the Bible through being connected to strong Biblical teaching, and we need to develop a level of inquisitiveness so as to explore essential faith issues more in depth. For Christians have a responsibility to know what we believe and why we believe it, and therefore it is crucial to develop a knowledge base to understand, critically evaluate, and defend those fundamental issues of faith and truth, rather than to just have opinions about these critical issues of life.
Richard Foster (Celebration of Discipline, 1998) describes the importance of this inquisitiveness within the spiritual discipline of study. He notes that study “directs the mind repeatedly and regularly toward certain modes of thought about God and human relationships” and it ultimately “leads us to Jesus, our ever-present and inward teacher” (p.64). And Solomon noted that “A wise person will hear and increase in learning, and a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:5-7).
So to connect my thoughts here, this past week I was motivated develop a stronger knowledge base related to the historical aspects of faith through a sermon by Dr. James White, director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, and professor of Church History and Apologetics at Grace Bible Theological Seminary. Although I may have other topics to discuss over the next weeks, my current plan is to introduce a number of sermons and pastors that I have found to have the ability to both speak the truth of the gospel, and to motivate me to continue to learn and understand the saving grace of the gospel. I have included a link to that message below in hopes that in some way it will also foster your curiosity to seek and to learn more about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Dr. James White, Church History, 9-19-2021
https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=91421181334898