IGNORANCE IS NEXT TO GODLINESS, I guess--Part I of II

I recently met a commenter on a blog. I'll call him "Bob". "Bob" is probably a sincere Evangelical. His view of scripture is very high as Evangelicals go these days. However, his view of actually studying the Bible is typically Evangelical. While he SAYS we ought to know what Jesus teaches, biblical knowledge is optional, at best. And those who spend the time and energy necessary to know the Bible are actually bad.

Read what Bob wrote and see if it's not the sort of thing you hear in your church:

Christianity is not about How much one knows about Jesus or believing How rich God wants us to be. Neither is it about claiming to know more than others or claiming that God speaks to them audibly or in person. It is not about thinking and living as we like or what we think is right or holy. It’s about dying to self which means not only in actions but in our thinking, bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ (i.e his teachings).In short it means complete obedience and full surrender to Jesus the Christ. What we think or believe or hope is not gonna save us even if we have faith that can move mountains unless we abide in Christ (i.e live according to his word). He sent the Holy Ghost to teach us his will so that we may abide in him. So, any spirit that does not teach the commandments or complete obedience to Christ is not holy.
Lord I pray that you help us to understand the teachings of Christ that we may abide in HIM.

THERE. Does what Bob wrote sound familiar?

Well, if you're a Bob, this is my answer to you:

Bob,
Parts of your comment are VERY GOOD. The fact that we are to die to self isn't taught anymore. And the idea that we ought to bring our thoughts into line with Christ is both good and biblical.

Yet, I have some questions. One, if it's important to bring our thoughts into obedience to Christ's teachings, where did He say in His teachings that "how much one knows about Jesus" isn't vitally important? Is that one of His teachings?

Two, if it isn't important to know about Jesus, why do we speak the gospel? It's about Jesus, after all. Can folks be saved without knowing about Jesus?

Three, when did Jesus say we are to be rich at all? He and His disciples blew that one. So did Paul and most of the Prophets.

Four, if it isn't important to know as much about Christ as possible, why did God send "the Holy Ghost to teach us", as you say? What is He going to teach us, since knowledge isn't all that important?

The truth is that Christ came to die for our sins and to be the Light of the World. Light in Scripture is a metaphor for the giving of knowledge. If you are a saint, your number one job, after sanctification, is to become a Bible student.

The word "disciple" means a learner. We are ordered to make disciples--students. What do you do with that? Throw it away?

Christ, through His Holy Spirit, said in Psalm 119:9-11, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word. 10 With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments. 11 Thy word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against Thee."

So, while you've disparaged biblical knowledge, you've actually done even worse than that. You disparaged those who have done their homework. You said, "Neither is it about claiming to know more than others..." Actually, that IS IMPORTANT.

Do you have any idea how many hours it takes to become fluent in Scripture knowledge? I can tell you almost no Evangelicals, including their pastors, do know. We know they don't know because they don't know their Bibles.

Scriptural knowledge is one of the qualifications for leadership, so comparing the knowledge of different brothers and sisters is mandated in the Scripture.

Did you know that? Do you even know where? Did you know why? If not, why not?

When was the last time you thanked someone who has studied the Scripture and put that blessing into your life? Christ, in His Scripture said we are to honor those elders who perform their duty well. You, Sir, have dishonored God's best servants.

Instead, you ought to seek their help.

Think about it.
Phil Perkins.