There seems to be a kind of disconnect between what scripture teaches and what we often hear. History tell us that God established his church in a world with few books, no printing, and limited literacy. Scripture tells us that God handled this situation by gifting the church with teachers, men and women called by Him and empowered by Him with wisdom for teaching. Preaching, as such, is just a form of teaching to larger groups.
For centuries, this system worked. People came to church to learn what was necessary for their lives. Then, the printing press was established.
Suddenly, we have decided that "every person" ought to "study the Word for himself." We tell people that "no one can be spiritual who does not study the Word for himself" and that "no one can grow without daily study of the Word in his own home."
So what about all those years when the Bible was not available to everyone? What about all the millions of Christians who were functionally illiterate (as we use the term today)? Are we conceding that they were deceived? Or that they were weak? What about martyrs and faithful saints through the ages?
I think that the easy availability of scriptures in America has confused us. It was never God's will that each and every person be a preacher or teacher or theologian. It was always God's will that teachers teach and it is God's way to provide teachers. God's church is a church of people who are interdependent on each other, where teachers teach and others do what God has given them to do.
Over the years, I have learned (after much repetition) that not everyone is supposed to be like I am in any way. Not everyone can or should read as I love to read. Many godly, honest, loving people cannot obtain the truth out of books that teachers can find. They depend on teachers. In turn, teachers depend on others to support the ministry and learn the truth and "share all good things." Gal. 6:6.
Do not despair over the fact that you learn from God's teachers, as opposed to investing hours of personal study. This is how God intended it to be. We are not all teachers, are we? Share and enjoy the gifting God has given to His people.
For centuries, this system worked. People came to church to learn what was necessary for their lives. Then, the printing press was established.
Suddenly, we have decided that "every person" ought to "study the Word for himself." We tell people that "no one can be spiritual who does not study the Word for himself" and that "no one can grow without daily study of the Word in his own home."
So what about all those years when the Bible was not available to everyone? What about all the millions of Christians who were functionally illiterate (as we use the term today)? Are we conceding that they were deceived? Or that they were weak? What about martyrs and faithful saints through the ages?
I think that the easy availability of scriptures in America has confused us. It was never God's will that each and every person be a preacher or teacher or theologian. It was always God's will that teachers teach and it is God's way to provide teachers. God's church is a church of people who are interdependent on each other, where teachers teach and others do what God has given them to do.
Over the years, I have learned (after much repetition) that not everyone is supposed to be like I am in any way. Not everyone can or should read as I love to read. Many godly, honest, loving people cannot obtain the truth out of books that teachers can find. They depend on teachers. In turn, teachers depend on others to support the ministry and learn the truth and "share all good things." Gal. 6:6.
Do not despair over the fact that you learn from God's teachers, as opposed to investing hours of personal study. This is how God intended it to be. We are not all teachers, are we? Share and enjoy the gifting God has given to His people.