Dear friends,
Thinking is one of the most hazardous things we do. But it is absolutely necessary for being human and worshipful. The apostle warns, "Knowledge puffs up" (1 Corinthians 8:1). But he also commands, "In your thinking be mature" (1 Corinthians 14:20). Do this dangerous thing. But do it well.
For many years, the life of the mind - the calling to think biblically - has pulled me and perplexed me. It has seemed utterly necessary, yet clearly not ultimate. Thinking is for the sake of something greater. Yet it is not a means that we will ever leave behind. The greater thing is loving God. Thinking truly is a means of loving duly. Yet the act of loving God will never dispense with thinking rightly about God.
The American people and the American church have a long history of anti-intellectualism. When you think of how God-dishonoring much intellectual life has been, this is understandable. But it has not served us well. When the faithful, rigorous life of the mind is diminished, the spiritual benefits don't last much longer than a generation. The very thing we wanted to protect is eventually weakened. The Great Commandment is to love God with everything in us, including our minds (Matthew 22:37). When that means of love is marginalized, love for God weakens.
I would like you to join us to think about thinking at the Desiring God National Conference October 1-3, 2010.
I went to Al Mohler, president of Southern Seminary, first as the anchor for Friday night. He said yes. I also asked him to stay over for a Sunday inauguration service for Bethlehem College and Seminary, which he was willing to do. Next I went to Rick Warren. I told Rick that he is known, and faulted, as a pragmatist - would he come and make a case for the importance of biblical thinking to help some of his followers see that pragmatism is not enough, and some of his detractors see that thinking is not enough? He also said yes. ThenR. C. Sproul said yes (he's now informed us he's medically unable to travel in 2010 and so will deliver his message via video). We've also received confirmation from Thabiti Anyabwile, pastor in Grand Cayman and former Muslim, and from Francis Chan, pastor in Simi Valley, California. And now I'm inviting you. Here are how the topics look.
The Way the World Thinks:
Meeting the Natural Mind - in the Mirror and in the Market Place
Al Mohler
Thinking Purposefully for the Glory of Christ:
The Life of the Mind and Global Reality
Rick Warren
Thinking Deeply in the Ocean of Revelation:
The Bible and the Life of the Mind
R. C. Sproul
Thinking for the Sake of Global Faithfulness:
Confronting Islam with the Mind of Christ
Thabiti Anyabwile
Think Hard, Stay Humble:
The Life of the Mind and the Peril of Pride
Francis Chan
Thinking for the Sake of Joy:
The Life of the Mind and the Love of God
John Piper
I've asked Al Mohler to deal with the way the Fall and sin has affected all of us, and how it works its way out in the world around us. And, as noted above, besides the message at the conference on Friday evening, I've asked Al to help us launch Bethlehem College and Seminary on Sunday evening, October 3, with a message during the inauguration service at 6:30 p.m. at Bethlehem. You're welcome to join us for the Sunday evening inauguration ceremony for Bethlehem College & Seminary, if you'd like.
I told Rick Warren this may be unusual for him because I get the impression that his reputation is that of an amazing doer. Recently, a global doer. Many people play thinking off against doing and feeling. But I am asking Pastor Rick to clarify the relationship. My guess is that he doesn't usually team up with a bunch of guys who are often thought of as thinkers and writers, rather than doers. I think it will be good for the church to see this team together saying: Thinking matters. Ideas have consequences.
I thought of R.C. Sproul for the topic "Thinking Deeply in the Ocean of Revelation: The Bible and the Life of the Mind." What makes R.C. so powerful, and solidifies his influence, is the role of the Bible in his thinking. He is philosophical. And he is theological. And he is culturally and historically informed. But what strikes home again and again is the lightning that breaks forth from the word of God. So I thought R.C. might like to challenge a few thousand people (most of them probably in their 20s and 30s) to think that way.
Thabiti Anyabwile came to mind in relation to the topic "Thinking for the Sake of Global Faithfulness: Confronting Islam with the Mind of Christ." His background, his historical bent, his first-rate mind, and his passion for the gospel commend him for this. I am eager for him to challenge us with respect to thinking and the global realities of religious pluralism, especially in light of Islam, in relation to the absoluteness of the Christian claim.
As we thought of the topic of careful thinking and the dangers of pride, we thought Francis Chan could sound a compelling warning and a positive vision of the humble thinker. He founded Eternity Bible College whose core values include "an intellectually rigorous pursuit of ultimate and applied truth" as well as "knowledge which results in humility rather than arrogance." The topic Francis has agreed to tackle is "Think Hard, Stay Humble: The Life of the Mind and the Peril of Pride."
The task I have set for myself is "Thinking for the Sake of Joy: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God." Biblically I am persuaded that loving God is primarily an affectional act of the heart. Thinking is not the essence of loving. Joy in God is the essence of loving him. Thinking serves loving. And therefore thinking must serve joy. How this happens is what I hope to talk about.
We hope to strike a robust balance between rigorous thinking and rich feeling and Christ-honoring action. These are the familiar pairs: doctrine and delight, theology and doxology, reflection and affection, head and heart. Thinking and non-thinking produce ways of life for good or ill. We think a conference like this can have a very healthy effect on the wider church by showing what thinking is, and what it's for in the bigger picture of God's purposes.
We will worship Christ together. We will think hard. We will pray. We will meet people who are serious about their minds and their hearts. And we will buy books! I would love to see you there.
For the life of the mind and the love of God,
John Piper
with David Mathis
