I am not that smart. I looked over my son’s summer math assignment and was barely able to follow it along. But one thing I’ve committed myself to is the reading of good books. If you were to come into my office, you would find authors from all over the world and the history of humanity. Certainly, there are a greater quantity of books dedicated to thinkers in my tradition, that is Presbyterian and Reformed. However, you would also find all sorts of writers, including those with whom I disagree heavily. Whether it’s a position friendly to my own or an unfriendly one, there is always something to learn from others. Whether you’ve been sympathetic or not to my position, I too hope that you’ve learned something from my articles.
Every week, I have the privilege of writing for our community. I don’t take that for granted. Often as I send in my article to the editor, I usually include a sentence such as, “Thank you again for granting me the opportunity to serve our community in this way.” It is a privilege to have the opportunity to aim at discipling our area through this medium. But why do I do it? I see my task here primarily as an outworking of my own pastoral ministry. Perhaps the Lord is calling you to such a ministry as well.
I want to share with you a one story to help illustrate why I love to write. One of the most influential men in my life was a theology professor named Wesley Smith. I can’t help but smile as I think of his face. He taught me to love learning. I was not much of a reader when I first met him. I did not think much about the study of theology either. My library was comprised at that time of about 5 books, one of which was an anthology of Curious George.
In spite of such monkey business, Wes’ Smith’s influence on my life is incalculable. He was my professor for Greek, Pastoral Theology, and the historical theology of the first centuries of the church. It is not an overestimation to say that he played a direct role in changing the trajectory of my life. But for all of his wisdom, experience, and learning he never committed anything to writing. There is a real sense where his ministry was limited by this, though his legacy continues through his students. I always hoped that I could help make as much of a difference in someone else’s life as he did in mine. This is one reason why I write.
But to commit something to writing can be perceived as arrogance. Do I really have something worth sharing? Can I really contribute to a conversation that’s been going on for millennia? What if somebody doesn’t like it? These questions, and more like them, terrified me at first when I began to consider writing. But none of us are this apprehensive when we have a conversation with a friend. We don’t shudder at the idea of sharing our loves, opinions, and ideas with those whom we respect. Writing is nothing other than a means to have such a conversation, but it is truly limited in that it is one-sided. Though I must admit, I have been encouraged by some of you who have written to me.
Our world needs more Christ-honoring dialogue and respectful conversations. Why do I mention that? Our western world today is allergic to the sharing of ideas. Whether it be the self-imposed suicide of modern critical theory in all of its permutations or simple laziness out of not desiring to challenge or be challenged – we are at a time where open dialogue about ideas is at an all-time low. Strongly worded opinions and the ideological regurgitations of podcasts are at an all-time high; this helps no one. Our world needs less thoughtless voices and more carefully crafted considerations. This is one reason why I write. Not that I am all that original, I in fact hope to be uncannily unoriginal. Nevertheless, my hope is to point you, the reader, back to the source of every great thought: the original Thinker, God, as He has revealed Himself in the Bible.
So, whether it be through a conversation over a cup of coffee (which I would be glad to grab with you), or a night of theological discourse over a glass of wine (this too, I would welcome), theology is meant to be personal. How do we know? We worship the three persons of the Holy Trinity. Thus, what you will find in this article and every subsequent article (God-willing) is nothing other than a reflection on that most basic of truths: we are creatures in God’s world who exist to glorify Him in all that we do, and we are designed to enjoy Him as we do it. Any other purpose is chaff in the wind.
With all of this before you, it is my highest honor and privilege to write. My aim is nothing other than the salvation of your soul, the renewing of your mind according to the Scriptures, and that you might be edified in being conformed to the image of Christ more and more by His Holy Spirit. May the Lord grant such a worthy request and may you perhaps as well, desire to write and share with others the good things God has taught you from the Word of God.