Head, Heart, Hands, Habitat

My first few weeks of seminary classes have been great. I'm doing four classes now - two in systematic theology, one Greek exegesis, and one on the New Testament (focusing on the Gospels). I'm learning a lot, but I'm also constantly aware of how intellectual knowledge is insufficient. As J. I. Packer wrote, we can know a lot about God, and yet not know Him. Indeed. Our knowledge of God must be transforming. It should change our lives and conform us more and more to the image of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

One of my professors, Bruce Ware, put it well. He said in a lecture that the study of theology has a four-fold goal: head, heart, hands, and habitat. Our minds ought to be filled with God's truth. The knowledge in our heads should then move our hearts to a deeper love for and gratitude to God. Truth, rightly grasped, ought to humble us and give us a more profound view of our Great Creator and Redeemer God. His amazing love for us in Christ ought to melt our hearts in love and gratitude toward Him.

Theology rightly understood will affect our hearts, and this will change the way we live. Our hands, which once were used to serve our sinful desires, are now given over to God's service. Our lives are offered to Him, who is our Rock and our Refuge. Such changed lives will undoubtedly affect those around us. We no longer expect to be served, but instead serve others in the love of Christ. Our habitats will be transformed by the witness of the gospel.

My prayer is that this may be evident in my own life, as well as in the lives of all Christians! May God's truth transform our head, heart, hands, and habitat to the praise of His glorious Name!