We think that Christian growth takes place in our head, by
learning more. This just is not
true. When “growth” is talked about in
the NT, it talks about living in a certain way.
One bears more fruit, one becomes more conformed to the pattern of
Jesus, ones love abounds more and more. Where,
then, do we get the idea from that growth is about learning the Bible and doctrine
better and better? Maybe from the combination
of the reformation notion that the shepherd is a teacher, and the shepherd is
also the model for the community. The
pastor is the one who knows the Bible best, and that’s the part of him we see
most when the majority of our interactions with him are via the pulpit. So if we are to be like him, then we grow to
know more and more. That’s why the
ultimate Christian is the preacher. But
it’s just not Biblical.
