My hope for this blog is that it will help, in a small way, to bring two worlds together within biblical studies for those who participate. The two worlds I am referring to are the “popular” and the “academic.” By popular, I mean the kind of Bible study that is typically found in many churches today and by academic, I mean the kind of Bible study that is typically found in colleges and seminaries. Do you realize that many publishers of Christian books have two different catalogs which market their books? One catalog targets the popular crowd; the other catalog targets the academic crowd. Books that are in the former rarely appear in the latter and vice versa.
Popular Bible study tends to be characterized by a heavy emphasis on application of biblical truth to contemporary perceived needs. Such an emphasis is essential to the Christian life. James reminds us that we are to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). The downside of some popular Bible study, however, is a superficial understanding of the Bible and God, often leading to misapplication and erroneous doctrine. Academic Bible study, on the other hand, tends to be characterized by a heavy emphasis on acquiring knowledge of the Bible. This emphasis accords with the biblical mandate to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). Nevertheless, while it may avoid superficial understanding, it often tends toward the “hearing” while neglecting the “doing.”
Ideally, I would like for this blog to be a place where people from both of these worlds interact. The popular crowd could perhaps benefit from the idealism and diligent study ethic of the academic crowd. Likewise, the academic crowd could benefit from the popular crowd’s real-life love of the Lord. Are you willing to participate? I think it could be mutually beneficial.
Gary Schnittjer 5:42 pm on September 2, 2009 Permalink |
This is an important vision, for all of us. I think you are ideally suited to host this kind of conversation. I am looking forward to it.
Tom Henderson 7:32 pm on September 5, 2009 Permalink |
Yes. The main purpose for learning God’s Word is to be a doer of God’s Word. Psalm 119:2 says: “How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart” (NASB). This includes the academite as well as the popularite. However, I prefer my commentaries, etc. and Bible studies to be more academic (but not divorced from the practical). Like you said, popular studies tend not to exegete properly. Also, they tend to be too dogmatically preachy. It’s better to learn what the text really means, and have the Holy Spirit apply it to our lives. Over the years, I found that there are many of the popular group who really enjoy the academic side when it is presented with the proper attitude (humility) and style (not too technical).
deut64 2:12 pm on September 9, 2009 Permalink |
Tom, thank you for your comment. I completely agree with you. I like the more academic commentaries as well. For a long time, I have been disappointed that people in the pews are generally not being exposed to the “good stuff.” As you mentioned, I think there is a way to present the academic with a corresponding humility/reverence/devotion. Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Owens, Edwards and others have much to say to our generation in this regard.