The Pastor's Intellectual Development

Driving home: We must seek a maturing spiritual perception of the truth of God.

Martin quotes Murphy's 'Pastoral Theology' about a pastor who fails despite initial promise because he neglects constant study, illustrating the necessity of intellectual upkeep.

In other words, there is a sense in which a man may indeed be seeking to love God with all of his heart, but with something less than all of his mind. And so, brethren, it is for this reason, that we are going to concentrate on this matter, and I am encouraged when I read some of the old masters, and realize that they understood this distinction. Murphy says on page 93 of his excellent work on pastoral theology, the pastor must study, study, study, or he will not grow or even live as a true workman for Christ. The lack of this is the reason, the cause of innumerable failures which are seen in ...

6:13 - 7:21 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He who reads on different sides must necessarily read much that is erroneous and all tampering with falsehood, however necessary, is like dealing with poisons.

The word 'librate' is explained using the analogy of an old balance scale finding its center point, illustrating the mind's need for calm reflection to discern truth amidst conflicting views.

And Alexander says some very perceptive things on this very point of the truth of God being the focal point of our intellectual development. The mind must be allowed some periods of calm, uninterrupted reflection in order to librate freely. I looked up the word librate. It's what happens on an old balance scale as it moves from side to side and then comes to its center point.

10:51 - 11:18 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He who reads on different sides must necessarily read much that is erroneous and all tampering with falsehood, however necessary, is like dealing with poisons.

Alexander's quote likens tampering with falsehood to 'dealing with poisons,' emphasizing the danger of prolonged exposure to erroneous views.

Oscillate would perhaps be the term we would use. The mind must find periods to do this and find the resting point between conflicting views. That time is sometimes expended in learning, examining, and collating articles and arguments of all kinds on different sides of a given question which might, by a more compendious method, have served to discern and embrace positive truth or make deductions from acknowledged truth. In other words, putting this in simple Americanese, he says there may be times when it is good for someone to back off and to survey a full spectrum of opinion on a given subje...

11:19 - 12:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Have compelling reasons to dabble in any kind of error, otherwise, you flirt with the health of your own soul.

A story of a man who, when students claimed 'intellectual difficulties' with faith, would ask 'What's her name?' to reveal underlying moral issues, illustrating the connection between ethical desires and intellectual integrity.

A man who worked for many years with students said he had a pat answer to the man who would come in, and the young man would come in and wrinkle up his brow and look very serious, and say, so-and-so, I'm having tremendous intellectual difficulties with the Christian faith. He would answer and say, what's her name?

16:25 - 16:44 Read in full sermon

The point: No man should be content with anything less than the fullest maturity in his understanding of the truth given all of those variables.

The analogy of a tree tag stating its 'mature height' is used to explain 'maturing perception' as reaching one's God-given full capacity to understand truth.

That's the second aspect of the axiom that I want to open up. A maturing perception of the truth of God. Well, when something is mature, it has, reached its full development for its ideal. If you go out to a local nursery and you purchase a tree, usually there'll be a tag on it that will say something like this.

17:58 - 18:19 Read in full sermon

The point: No man should be content with anything less than the fullest maturity in his understanding of the truth given all of those variables.

The analogy of a baby having all appendages but not full maturity is used to describe a minister's initial grasp of truth as rudimentary but whole, needing lifelong growth.

Now, it's obvious from such passages as 2 Timothy 1.13, holding fast the form of, sound words, Titus 1.9, speaking of the requirement for an elder that he hold fast to the truth of God, that no man should be placed in the ministry who does not hold the whole of truth in its embryonic form, who does not have in his understanding a rudimentary grasp upon the whole counsel of God. But you see, the baby in arms, though a whole human being, is far from the adult male or female.

19:30 - 20:10 Read in full sermon

The point: Give ourselves to a lifetime of pursuing this maturing perception of the truth of God.

Paul's request for 'the books, but especially the parchments' in 2 Timothy 4:13, even facing imminent death, serves as a pattern for lifelong intellectual development.

The little handout that I gave you is most helpful and, of course, Spurgeonic in its tone, since it is by Spurgeon taking the text, the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come bring with you and the books, but especially the parchments. Here's a man who knows that very soon his head's going to roll. 2 Timothy 4.13 And yet he's asking his friend to bring the books and the parchment.

21:53 - 22:22 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And never forget it. When the Holy Spirit is attending truth in contact with a regenerate mind, there is both light and heat. Never forget it.

John the Baptist being a 'burning and a shining light' is used to illustrate that the Holy Spirit's ministry brings both light (truth) and heat (impact) to a regenerate mind.

What was said of John the Baptist, he was a burning and a shining light. There was heat and there was light. And he was a man full of the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. So when I say a spiritual perception, I mean a perception of truth that comes to us under the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit who will enable us accurately to perceive, not exhaustively, but accurately to perceive, who will enable us to feel the impact of that truth upon us religiously, morally, who will enable us to see the implications of that truth for life and for ministry. Now, brethren, it is this that we must s...

24:33 - 25:43 Read in full sermon

The point: If you're one who just delights in gazing upon truth in its objective essence, but you don't naturally sit and work out the application of these things to the world of men and things, you'll have to subject yourself to c…

The analogy of a mechanic's school, with lectures and shop work, illustrates the difference between grasping truth in its objective essence and applying it practically.

It's like a man that goes to mechanics school, he gets lectures from 9 in the morning till 12 noon, and then he's out in the shop doing tune-ups from 1 to 4.

28:59 - 29:09 Read in full sermon

The point: If you're more practically minded, and it's difficult for you to think hard and long on distinctions, you will need to labor in this area, and force yourself to be more precise in your thinking, that you might be more ac…

John Wesley's letter rebuking a preacher for neglecting private reading is quoted to emphasize that consistent study is essential for deep, varied, and effective preaching.

You will need to labor in this area, and force yourself to be more precise in your thinking, that you might be more accurate in your thinking, and your conveyance of the truth to others. So, in summary, I'm asserting that if you would effectively preach as a pastor, year in, year out, hopefully decade in and decade out, without a dullness, a sameness, a rut in the preaching, then you must give yourself with great discipline to pursuing this maturing, spiritual, and spiritual path. And it's not just about the spiritual path. It's about the perception of the truth of God, both in its objective e...

31:25 - 32:34 Read in full sermon

The point: You must make time in your weekly schedule for general reading.

Alexander's quote about 'fire of straw' and 'cistern soon fails' illustrates that preaching without deep, general study quickly loses its vigor and substance.

category of general rather than specific preparation. They made a distinction between specific preparation and general reading. I'm speaking of the kind of reading which the old masters placed in the category of general preparation. General preparation is the kind of intellectual stimulation that goes on without any conscious reference to any specific ministerial duty as far as a sermon, a Bible class, a lesson, etc. Again, listen to Alexander as he makes this distinction. On page 127, he first of all gives an indirect quote, and then he says, quote from Luther, who said that sound and varied ...

35:59 - 37:02 Read in full sermon

The point: You must make time in your weekly schedule for general reading.

The analogy of a surgeon performing an appendectomy better and quicker after 20 years is used to illustrate how a pastor's sermon preparation should become more efficient over time, freeing up time for general reading.

arteries you see he grasped that perspective and therefore brethren if this advice of a wise and useful preacher and observer of other preachers is worthy to be considered then we must make time in our weekly schedule for general reading you are not going to find you are not going to find that that time anymore than you can find it for prayer but you must as you do with the disciplines of the inner life you must make it a matter of conscience before god furthermore as your skills in using your expository and homiletical tools increase you should not have to spend as much time in actual sermon ...

40:20 - 41:42 Read in full sermon

The point: A balanced reading program as part of your ongoing intellectual maturity should include devotional reading, aimed primarily at the cultivation of your own heart and conscience and personal godliness.

Alexander's tribute to John Flavel highlights his ability to distill profound truths into simple, accessible language, despite his vast classical learning, serving as an example for pastors.

Brooks bunion now these are the things available I'm not mentioning those that are not available except in exotic libraries or if you've got a rich uncle who supplies you with old puritan works that now are very expensive people know their worth and so the price on these things has gone up but listen to what Alexander says about fable he's giving specific recommendations about reading he says how could I have postponed to the this place, dear John Flavel. That's how Alexander refers to him, dear John Flavel. No one needs to be told how pious, how faithful, how tender, how rich, how full of unc...

46:03 - 47:19 Read in full sermon

The point: Establish the habit of having devotional reading incorporated into your reading schedule, perhaps using these men as pump primers for your devotional exercises, reading just four or five pages a day.

Alexander's recommendation to read Owen's 'Spiritual-Mindedness' annually, along with other works, underscores the enduring value of Puritan devotional literature.

I have found it helpful to just work through some of them, four or five pages a day. Listen to what he has to say about Owen, his tribute to Owen. Owen is nonetheless large. Here's one of those miscellaneous paragraphs.

48:25 - 48:40 Read in full sermon

The point: Establish the habit of having devotional reading incorporated into your reading schedule, perhaps using these men as pump primers for your devotional exercises, reading just four or five pages a day.

The 'peck away method' of reading a few pages a day from intimidating volumes like Owen or Flavel is suggested as a practical way to absorb large amounts of material over time.

four or five of Brooks, etc. Don't be intimidated by them. Realize that just as they were written a word at a time, over a period of many years, they can be absorbed the same way. And establish the habit of having this aspect of devotional reading incorporated into your reading schedule. You may wish to use these men, as I periodically do, and over the years have found it profitable, as pump primers for my... devotional exercises. So that from my English muffin and two cups of coffee and up into my study, I have a volume of Owen or Flavel or Brooks or Sibbes that I'm working through, so that t...

49:34 - 50:48 Read in full sermon

The point: Besides all your sermon-making, theology as a system must be your regular study. Neglect this, and your pulpit theology will be one-sided.

Alexander's quote emphasizes that neglecting systematic theology leads to one-sided, unmethodical preaching, comparing it to a lawyer or physician who only studies for specific cases.

John Newton, and a host of others. But then a second category of reading that ought to be part of a balanced reading program is, in addition to devotional, theological, especially systematic theology. Now, by theological, I mean those works aimed at stating, demonstrating, relating, and defending the great categories of biblical truth in a systematic and orderly fashion. Works aimed at stating, demonstrating, relating, and defending the great categories of biblical truth in a systematic and orderly fashion. Let's let Alexander step into our classroom again and speak to us on this point. Page 1...

50:48 - 51:52 Read in full sermon

The point: Have some systematic plan to read in the area of systematic theology, making the proven masters your companions and mastering them, not dabbling in novelties.

Dagg's systematic theology, which includes a sermon at the head of each major division, is highlighted as a marvelous way to approach theology, showing its religious implications.

Murray, and I would urge you to read Dagg. We've got to put a Baptist in there, but I put him in there not because he's a Baptist, but because of the way he approaches theology. If you've had his volume in your hands, you know what he does. He brings a sermon at the head of each major division of his church. He brings a sermon at the head of each major division of his church. He brings a sermon at the head of each major division of his church. He brings a sermon at the head of each major division of his church. He brings a sermon at the head of each major division of his church. He brings a se...

53:55 - 54:47 Read in full sermon

The point: Read in Christian biography looking for the principles that lie behind the usefulness of the men. Don't look at their lives in order to imitate the particular expression of the principles.

Martin recounts his youthful attempt to imitate a biographer's 4 AM prayer schedule without considering the full context (early bedtime), illustrating the danger of imitating particular expressions rather than underlying principles from biographies.

And one of the great benefits of biographical reading is that you'll discover the common denominators in the usefulness of men otherwise greatly diverse in gifts, temperament, and spheres of ministry. That's what's fascinating with biography. And yet you see there are common denominators. Different men, different in temperament, background, training, circumstances, and yet common denominators. And it helps you to lay hold of the principles that you must embody. The most dangerous thing in the world is to read just one biography of one man of God. And you read in there he got up at four in the ...

55:58 - 56:50 Read in full sermon

The point: It's irresponsible for you to minister in this age and to be ignorant of the theology of Robert Schiller. You better know what he's saying. And you better be able to refute it.

Robert Schuller is given as an example of a contemporary figure whose theology pastors must understand and be able to refute due to his widespread influence, highlighting the need for polemical reading.

And usually the problem with his jaw's got its roots in his heart. But this is an aspect of biblical duty. And therefore, you ought to be reading in areas of general apologetics, a critique of the latest cults, examining current movements that are unsettling historic Christianity. I say it's irresponsible for you to minister in this age and to be ignorant of the theology of Robert Schiller.

61:35 - 62:07 Read in full sermon

The point: You ought not to be ignorant of what's happening in the whole area of thinking and writing and investigation with regard to how do we ascertain the proper text of the New Testament, and occasionally read something in the…

The confirmation of biblical historicity by archaeological discoveries ('the spade') is used to illustrate how external evidence can strengthen faith, even though Christianity is self-authenticating.

But all I'm saying, brethren, is you ought not to be ignorant of these things. They have to do with what you are preaching as the word of the living God. So in the area of text, occasionally you ought to read something in the area of archaeology. The spade continues to confirm the validity of the biblical testimony and its historicity.

64:48 - 65:08 Read in full sermon

The point: Read in contemporary, secular literature to understand what God is doing in the world, what trends are impinging upon your people and sinners, and influencing their perspectives.

The infiltration of Eastern religious meditation into public schools under the guise of educational contributions is given as an example of a contemporary trend pastors need to be aware of to shepherd their people.

This is an area, again, where you ought to have some technical understanding. What are the trends? What are the trends in education? Right now, I'm reading and listening to some materials as to what has happened in one public school system after another in the introduction of, really, Eastern religious meditation under the guise of educational contributions.

66:37 - 67:01 Read in full sermon

The point: I do not advocate movie watching. I do advocate reading movie reviews. This will keep you in touch with what is influencing the masses.

Martin advocates reading movie reviews instead of watching movies to stay in touch with cultural influences, illustrating a way to engage with contemporary secular trends without compromising personal holiness.

What trends are impinging upon them? Framing their thinking, influencing their perspectives. I do not advocate movie watching. I do advocate reading movie reviews.

68:19 - 68:32 Read in full sermon

The point: I do not advocate movie watching. I do advocate reading movie reviews. This will keep you in touch with what is influencing the masses.

Murphy's quote on the necessity of pastors perusing current periodical literature emphasizes staying informed about religious thought, errors, and urgent needs of mankind to make preaching relevant.

And it will keep you in touch with what is influencing the masses. Murphy, again, speaks very, very powerfully on this point. And his balance on these things is what has impressed me as I've re-read these sections. He's talking here again about he had 11 categories.

68:51 - 69:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't make reading a substitute for thinking.

The story of Peter Chandrapila at an Urbana conference, who challenged the audience with 'Everyone is quoting and no one is saying anything,' illustrates the warning against making reading a substitute for original, intense thinking.

I shall never, never forget when I sat at an Urbana conference years ago and a classmate of mine by the name of Peter, P.T. Chandrapila, a native of India, who was a dear man of God then and to my knowledge has kept his freshness to this day. I'll never forget this little wisp of a man weighs about 110 pounds, about 5 foot 4,

74:50 - 75:14 Read in full sermon

The point: When you have a wayward sheep that you're to track down, don't suddenly get an obsession to read Volume 6 in Owen. God will curse your reading of Owen when you ought to be tracking down a needy sheep.

Murphy's introduction to 'The Pastor in His Study' is quoted, emphasizing the relative importance of the closet (heart cultivation) before the study (head cultivation) as foundational for ministerial strength.

Murphy says in his introduction to the chapter on the pastor in his study, there are two places where unseemly by the world the pastor receives strength and equipment for that momentous work to which he's been ordained. They are the closet, that's what we dealt with last week, and the study, that's what we're dealing with today. We place them in the order of their relative importance. First the closet, then the study.

82:19 - 82:51 Read in full sermon