None of the righteous ever received his reward quickly, but waits for it. If God paid the wages of the righteous immediately, we would soon be engaged in business, not godliness; though we would appear to be righteous, we would in fact be pursuing not piety but profit.
2 Clement 20:3-4: This is from the earliest non-Biblical Christian sermon on record, arguably delivered in Corinth in about 100CE.
Little bird: Explain how you understand the way in which your role as an academic functions as a part of being a disciple of Jesus in today’s world.
Matthew: Birds can’t talk
Little bird: [Sigh...] I get this all the time. Hey, if Balaam’s ass can talk, then so can I. Just answer the question.
Matthew: Hmmmm….
This is an important question. I recall hearing a talk by Os Guinness years ago (entitled ‘The Call’), in which he urged people in all situations to consider God’s call upon their lives to use HIS gifts in HIS service. The phrase came to mind: “Of those to whom much is given, much will be expected.” So I think one reason for a disciple of Jesus to become an academic is the desire to love God with all of one’s mind, putting all of one’s opportunities and resources and gifts to work in God’s service.
From that starting point, let me consider the example of the apostle Paul, widely regarded as having a brilliant theological mind. He appears to have been the most rigorously intellectual of the apostles, trained as a Pharisee, able to give public speeches, utilise rhetoric, invent new epistolary forms, and “take every thought captive” in Christ’s service. But here’s the interesting bit: How did this intellectual heavyweight seek to use his influence as a Christian leader? How did he direct his own desire to use his gifts in Christ’s service?
By testifying to the cross of Jesus in word and deed. Paul’s message in 1 Corinthians could be summed up like this: “Come die with me, as I follow Jesus.” That’s not what the Corinthians wanted to hear – they wanted a proper academic, with his PhD on the wall, his lapel microphone turned up, and his hearers gaining the benefit of his master-crafted speeches. But no… “I die every day… come join me, as I follow the crucified one.” Paul undeniably used the wealth of his intellect, but in the service of cruciformity.
Let me put it another way: Did Paul expect the Corinthians to learn the gospel by hearing him tell them about Christ’s death and resurrection, or by seeing him flogged and shipwrecked and stuttering, and pouring himself out for the sake of other people? The answer is: both.
So I suppose that if I want to be a teacher like Paul, and use whatever intellectual gifts I have in the service of Christ, I could learn from that example. This raises all sorts of questions for me: How can I ensure that I testify to the cross of Christ not only in my words but in my deeds? What countries of the world are most needy – even if it means ’slumming it’? Am I willing to give up the opportunity for particular academic recognition, if it means I can pour myself out for the sake of others?
These are starting points, rather than settled conclusions. I’m not sure what all of my answers are. I’d be curious to hear if others struggle with similar questions…
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