Do you agree with this statement?

NO!

Yes, we have to put the Word of God into practice by serving others and minister the Gospel to a lost world. BUT we also need knowledge of God´s Word and will to be able to do just that.

 

I think the heart of the statement is true ... that believers know far more than they are doing. But in reality, that is a false dichotomy. It is not an "either/or" mentality. It is a "both/and." Believers should both be studying the Bible and living out their Christianity. As Warren often does, he makes distinctions which are not valid alongside points which are.

 

No and that is one of the many things that I disagree with "PDL" about. Warren is really shooting from the hip on that one, and he is dead wrong. As believers, we must treat the Scriptures as the words of the Holy Spirit, and give ourselves over to immmersion in its words and teachings. Yes, I get his point about not getting enough "spiritual exercise," but to say that curtailing Bible study is the first step in that direction is mindblowingly ignorant.

 

Correct. I know a number of folks who "know" lots of stuff, but still don't put it into practice. But it's a mistake to imply that study isn't necessary. Just that study to the exclusion of practice is bad.

 

I do agree with that statement, and here's why. The people who are going to bible studies often aren't the people who need to be going. Kinda like when your work holds a voluntary seminar on, say, professionalism in the workplace. Typically, those who are unprofessional aren't the ones who will be voluntarily going. The same goes with many Bible studies I've attended. The people who ARE there aren't the ones who NEED to be there. Part of the point that is being made is that there are plenty of hearers of the word in the church, but too often a lack of doers of the word. A great many people who attend bible studies should, imo, give up a night of bible study in exchange for a night of volunteering at a local soup kitchen, or something similar.

 

</font>[/QUOTE]Yes I do.

It is too easy to delude ourselves into thinking we are doing things for the Kingdom of God by immersing ourselves in Bible studies and church events instead of actually living out the life that Christ has called us to live.

When Christ beckons a person and says, “Follow Me!,” that person is called to DO things in and for the Kingdom as a disciple/apprentice. As such, there will be a fair amount of Bible study, but there will also be much more active ministry.

About 15 years ago I realize that I was spending most of my free time in Bible study (both personal and corporate) and “churchy” things instead of spending time making and building relationships with those outside the faith. I made a deliberate decision to limit my study time (but not private worship and prayer) and devote myself to getting to know my neighbors and fellow college students. As a result, I had the privilege of leading a number of those folks to Christ and made a positive impact on many other people – the written word of God that I had been studying started becoming alive in my life.

 

Interestingly enough, Christ repeatedly asked those around him, "Have you not read..." or "Do you not know..." in relation to the Scriptures. My point is simply that we should be familiar with what the Scriptures say AND MEAN before we start teaching them to others when they ask questions. People are hungry for the word, so let's be sure we know all the ingredients.

 

Yes and no.

How's that for equivocating?

If its another paint-by-the-numbers Bible study, No.

HankD

 

The word says for us to be "doers of the word"---and not just "hearers of the word"-----but I guarantee----you won't be a "doer" until you are a "hearer"----what we're raising is a bunch of Bible illiterate "zombies"---in a world of computer "whizes!"

Warren completely forgot the word that says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God. A workman who needeth not be ashamed."

Brother David

 

Not at all, the context of Warren's book is a wakeup call who have been using this verse as an excuse to stick their noses in the Bible to the point where their study produces no fruit. Alas, I know many people who are good at telling me what the Bible says, but don't do for themselves what the bible says.

What if the good samaritan was too busy running to bible study to help the dying man on the street?

 

Maybe he was busy running to help the dying man---because at one point in his life he busied himself in search and study of Scripture!

 

Actually, the Samaritan beliefs were heretical from the POV of the Jews. Jesus knew this, which is why he used the example in the parable.

 

I agree with the principle of the statement. Far to many Christians are spending time in "feel-good" Bible studies instead of putting their beliefs in practice. In other words, they're using Bible studies as a substitute for Christian service.

 

I believe men and woman need to study the scriptures for doctrine, reproof and correction, understanding their faith and also of false beliefs they may hold. But they also need to discuss the scriptures and how it applies to them in their everyday lives as well. Otherwise reading from the OT about the episodes of Israel can seem like just another "history lesson".

 

I sort of agree with it.
Too many Christians are
Sitting in the church
soaking up the word
and souring, because they refuse to share it with others.

No wonder we call the seats in church "pews"
It's because of all the stinky, smelly, soured, Christians that think they are serving God by coming to worship him.

Service to God begins after you leave the sanctuary.
Now should we do away with study?
absolutely not!!
But we do need to use what we know.

 

Here's another yes and no. Seems like a false dichotomy.
We all seem convinced that we are surrounded by Christians that are not doing what they ought.

But you know, when I break it down to the specifics: last Sunday my family sat near a woman who is a very active Awana leader, a woman who is a very faithful witness in the nursing home she works in, several men who before work and in the evenings physically help take care of my wheelchair-bound Sunday School teacher, a family who are raising six godly young men, several people who are dealing with major illness, some wonderful volunteer youth leaders who work with my children, a man who is a businessman that witnesses by word and example to his employees, school teachers of my children, and on and on and on and on.

Each person is an individual; each person has a story. I am the one not living up to standards compared to these people. I have been a member of this church for 18 years now. But I tend to believe I haven't found the only good church.
So I get impatient sometimes with such sweeping statements about "most Christians".

If you haven't, look around at your church and get to know some of the people around you. I predict you will be impressed by a lot of what you find.

Karen

 

Agreed. One must do both. That's more logical than what Warren wrote.