Theology vs. Experience?

February 17, 2020 Quotation Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment

There are some who would downplay theology and doctrine in favor of renewed experience of the power of God. “It’s not about doctrine” is a phrase that I’ve heard a few times within Christian circles.

I found this quote from Tim Keller helpful when thinking about theology vs. experience:

“We are not called to choose between a Christian life based on truth and doctrine or a life filled with spiritual power and experience. They go together. I was not being called to leave behind my theology and launch out to look for ‘something more,’ for experience. Rather, I was meant to ask the Holy Spirit to help me experience my theology.”
Timothy Keller in Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God.

While it is correct to say that doctrine is a means to an end and not an end in itself, it must be kept clear as to what the proper end is. The proper end is a deeper relationship with God that is founded on the truth of who he is and what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection.

Every good relationship is founded on truth, why would our relationship with God be any different?

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Why do you call me good?

The man just teed it up for Jesus to give him a list of what he needs to do. It was a perfect opportunity to tell the man all he needed to know about eternal life and how to get it. The man left the door wide open for Jesus to give him the list.

Already Compromised – What You Should Know About Educating Your Child

The Opportunity I have seen some students emerge from Christian colleges with a passion to live for Jesus Christ. I have seen others come away from their learning experience discouraged and disillusioned about their faith. As a result of this, when given an opportunity to read Already Compromised on the condition that I do a […]

Moving beyond the gospel?

In some churches I have attended, there is a sense that the gospel entails the elementary teaching of Christianity. To move toward maturity then requires that people move beyond the gospel into more “meaty” doctrinal teaching.

I have come to realize that this is wrong headed and leads not to maturity, but to immaturity. The effect of this teaching is the exact opposite of the desired result.

Schaff on the Apostles’ Creed

Having grown up in anti-liturgical Baptist churches, I was not exposed to The Apostles’ Creed until I was an adult. It is a shame since, as Schaff points out, it is an excellent summary of the facts on which the Christian faith is based.

What Joseph teaches me about Thanksgiving

Genesis 41 records the story of how how Joseph responded when he was presented to Pharaoh. Even though Joseph was sold out by his brothers and falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, even though he spent years in slavery and prison, even though he had good reason to think that God had abandoned him, Joseph wastes […]

Working to get what we already have

The main point is that I don’t have to strive to achieve holiness; it is something that has already been granted to me. I don’t have to work to get holiness; I already have it by being in Christ. I had been working to get something that I already have.