We need both personal spiritual experience and knowledge of the Bible
About a week ago I was very impressed by a quote that I found in my devotional book. The focus for the week was on the supremacy of Christ and how we get to know him. In today’s world it is popular to emphasize the spiritual in an almost mystic sense. But it is much less popular to do the hard work of reading Scripture and studying it to learn more about the historical figure of Jesus who inspires our Christian faith. The quote points out that both the spiritual response often associated with prayer and meditation and the historical underpinning from study are needed in order for us to truly know what Jesus is about and how his Spirit lives in and through us. I pass it on to you.
Historical Christianity is dry and formal when it lacks the immediate and inward response to our Great Companion; but our spirits are trained to know him, to appreciate him, by the mediation of historical revelation. A person’s spiritual life is always dwarfed when cut apart from history. Mysticism is empty unless it is enriched by outward and historical revelation. The supreme education of the soul comes through an intimate acquaintance with Jesus Christ of history. (The Double Search by Rufus M. Jones)
Scripture speaks of both essentials
I think both ends of this balance are easily seen in the words of Scripture as well. The Apostle Paul spoke of the spiritual side of our relationship to God:
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Eph. 3:16-17 NIV 2011
David wrote eloquently of the need to keep in touch with God’s written record and allow it to form us.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Ps 119:105
