Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
– 2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)
How we come to an understanding of something, anything is based on two different components that both have merit in our understanding. There are the factors of theory and experience. A theory based understanding is a concept, an ideology or an interpretation of a documented standard. Experience based knowledge on the other hand comes when one actually has exposure and participation in a situation, event or relationship. For most, the greater impact of understanding and impression comes in the form of an experience based interaction and not simply a theory based conclusion.
For example, it’s one thing to have an understanding of what a cheeseburger is made of, how to prepare it or even the food chemistry that compromises it. However, everything changes when that first bite hits your tastebuds. No longer is that beef and cheese concoction resigned to its basic ingredients, cooking recipe or chemical make-up. No, it has become something so much more because it has been experienced. There is now a personal interaction that makes available the inclusion of multiple senses. Instead of mere book knowledge that targets the intellect, experiencing a cheeseburger also affects our sight, our hearing, our smell, our touch and especially our taste.
Therefore, experience goes beyond what at first is only confined to a theory. In many ways, to experience something is for that something to come alive in how you understand, process and apply it into your life.
Obviously, the beauty of experience goes way beyond food. Love, joy, kindness, security, confidence, compassion and trust are just a few of those things that must be experienced to begin to understand, grasp, and ultimately appreciate. All positive experiences in our life. But there are other things as well, things that aren’t so enjoyable. Things like fear, despair, loss, anguish and even death. These too have a lasting effect upon us when theory is enriched with experience.
Within all of our experiences, our minds, views and expectations develop and grow. However, these experiences must be governed by theory so they do not cause one to run wild into the potential chaos and misinformation of life. Many people because of negative childhood experiences are never able to get out from under those dark shadows. On the other hand, those who base everything on experiences tend to wander into questionable waters in terms of established realities. We must never trade one for the other because only both can make one whole.
God is multifaceted or maybe a better description would be, God is omni-faceted. God is not limited to multiple aspects, attributes or features, rather He is infinite in His aspects, attributes or features. And yet, He makes Himself available to us in our limited understanding from both a theory based or intellectual aspect as well as an experience based or relational reality. Most importantly, He wants us to have both facets in order to live with a healthy balance of our Christianity. Bible based doctrine and theology is important because it provides the structure and foundation we need so as not to be blown into the false teaching that abounds. A personal relationship with Christ is important because He is the living God that seeks to live in us and speak to us. It is similar to the house/home concept. The structure and foundation of the house is important because it creates a place that can then become the home that brings love, joy and relationship. Therefore in terms of a healthy Christian expression, reason and faith are not enemies, but rather necessary allies.
Jason Metz, Lead Pastor
