Over the last few years, I have been hearing an ongoing discussion within the church concerning the head and the heart of faith. Another way of putting it is the discussion between the emotions of faith and the knowledge of faith. Growing up in and becoming a leader within a denomination that has always emphasized the importance of education and knowledge, I have tended to navigate in that direction. However, over the last few years, I have been more interested in the value of an emotion-filled faith.
When I look back at my own faith journey, I consistently see the role that passion and emotion have played in my spiritual growth. Like many individuals, I can identify different points where I was on the mountain top and the feelings associated with those experiences. I can also point to times when emotions and passion have fueled my journey even though a specific mountain-top experience was not present. However, I believe that often I was trained to temper that passion and those emotions to ensure that I remained in the "decently and in order" class.
I can also identify many meaningful experiences that were centered on theological discussions and study. Seminary was one, but not the only such experience in my life. There is little question in my mind that I grew through these more "heady" events and that my faith took another step on the journey.
I think that like all aspects of the Lord's creation, there is value in balance. I do not view this as a one or the other situation. Both the passionate/emotional approach and the theological/knowledge approach bring many positives to our faith journeys. It is in that emotional approach that I believe we experience the Lord with a deep connection. As the emotions of our spirits encounter the power of THE Spirit, we connect in a very meaningful and lasting way. In the knowledge approach we come to understand what drives our emotions when we encounter the Lord and the true depth of those encounters.
I would propose that as leaders in the church, we need to work towards a balance in this area and end the debating. Individuals on both sides of the debate will have a level of uncomfortableness for a period of time but I believe it is worth it.
Give me your input.
Also, I recommend hearing the voice of another individual on this matter by going to the following blogpost: www.emergentvillage.com/weblog/brown-where-the-edges-meet
Posted by: |