This was originally Comment #62 on Condemnation by Virtue of Beliefs. That post and its comments discuss the essence of salvation: Is it primarily physical or intellectual?
Certainly, the relationship aspect of both the Fall and the Atonement, and the resulting works are important to theology. Any theology which lacks them is necessarily deficient, and any Christian who doesn’t live accordingly needs to be discipled. The perception of importance for this aspect increases with maturity, so only one who is fully spiritually mature (only Jesus) can claim any objectivity in the matter.
However, the faith aspect is also important, and it is often considered more important. This aspect is accurately perceived (insofar as we comprehend eternity), and is usually the primary reason that people seek a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
If I were to fully know God (a staggering thought in itself), which would I consider more important? Since no one but Jesus has ever reached such a height, we can never know for sure. But we can guess at Jesus’ priorities by reading His teachings. How often does He mention knowing versus obeying God? I’ve never performed such a Bible study, but even it would be limited in certainty by John 21:25.
On the other hand, some have proposed that they are actually the same thing – that is, that someone who doesn’t know God would necessarily be tormented in an eternity where He turns out, with all His holiness, to be real. C. S. Lewis, for example, offered such an explanation (or two, if you count the agony of being a ghost in the presence of light) in The Great Divorce.
But I think the entire discussion misses the point. “For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” (1 Corinthians 13:9-10, NKJV) Just as our works are a shadow of our faith, so too is our intellectual understanding. I don’t know that either can be reliably tested, yet we must attempt such inside the Church as both are essential to the Christian walk.
January 16, 2009 at 12:37 am |
You’re right, John 21:25 does limit the analysis, but I have done the very analysis you suggest. I analyzed the gospels and categorized the things Jesus said and did the most during his public ministry. Check out: “The Jesus Priorities: 8 Essential Habits” by UpperRoom Books (2007)