The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul

The title of this post is actually the sub title of  a book I have finished reading (at long last):  Love Your God With All Your Mind by J. P. Moreland.  For those of you who are not familiar with the author, Dr.  Moreland is a professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University.  You can read his faculty profile and publications list here.

The premise of Moreland's book is the following:  We have lost or neglected our ability to disciple our minds for Christ and this condition has seriously hindered the effective ministry of Christians both individually and collectively.  

In Part 1 of his text, Why The Mind Matters In Christianity , Moreland identifies the scope and magnitude of this anti-intellectual problem.  Parts 2 and 3, How To Develop a Mature Christian Mind and What A Mature Christian Mind Looks Like, address theoretical and practical approaches to developing Christian thought.   Moreland exposes common fallacies in our current thought patterns and provides instruction on mental habit formation, spiritual discipline, introductory logic, apologetics, engaging your mind in worship, intellectual fellowship in the church body and your vocation.

Up to this point, the book is challenging and a bit of a "tough read" but well worth it.  But, Part IV Guaranteeing A Future For The Christian Mind really peaked my interest when the author asks some pointed questions about our current church model:  1.  Why is our impact not proportional to our numbers?  2.  Why are ministers no longer viewed as the intellectual and cultural leaders in their communities that they once were?  3.  How is it possible for a person to be an active member of an evangelical church for many years but have next to no knowledge of the history or theology of the Christian religion, skills to exact serious bible study or the skills necessary to preach and defend Christianity (paraphrased)?  He then proceeds with a manifesto of change he feels is necessary in the church today.  He is very careful to qualify his suggestions in that they may not be correct and any change should be done tenderly.  With that disclaimer, here are a few of his suggestions for you to consider and debate:

1.  No senior pastors.  Administration, preaching and leadership from a plurality of elders.  Pulpit to be shared (no one individual more than 26 weeks)

2.  Pastoral staff and elders primary job is equip others to ministry

3.  Distinguish between form (the culturally relevant manner in which we carry out the function) and function (unchanging biblical mandate that every church must carry out).  Form can and should be changed as necessary.  Function remains constant.

4.  Better quality sermons - related to #1 in that prep time should improve with fewer preaching requirements

5.  Better church libraries and recommended reading lists for congregation members

I enjoyed the book.  It's a tough read but I still recommend it.  The last chapter is provocative and challenging.  There are excellent appendices of Christian intellectual resources and sources of integration categorized by vocation or area of study.