This is SO good. I remember an old prof in grad school who would sometimes interrupt our disputations with, "Boys, you haven't lived long enough or sinned big enough to even have an opinion on that subject."
Thank you so much! Timely words, as our college-aged staff arrives for camp training week tomorrow. I was just saying to someone today that they come so ready to do for God…but they don’t know what they don’t know…and those are the things that come with many years of living a life with God.
This makes me think of the lungs being formed in the growing life of the unborn child; not to be used until they enter the next stage of life. In order for this life to thrive outside the womb they will need this organ to be fully developed.
“In the information-obsessed world, how often do we make the dangerous choice of privileging intellect and knowledge over discipleship and formation?”
If intellect and knowledge are comparable to the growth of the lungs then discipleship and formation are likened to knowing when to take the first breath.
My teen kids have been invited on a “leaders-in-training” camp. That’s an awful lot to put on kids whose prefrontal cortexes are still in formation. Some of them still sleep with a soft toy. Some have never been to a funeral. Some have never earned a wage. Some struggle to make conversation with an adult. Leaders in training? Heaven help us! Why not “Keen and Bright Kids’ Camp"?
Thielicke hits on a critical truth that spans every industry, from finance to ministry: there is a dangerous liability in ‘knowledge without character.’ When a leader possesses the vocabulary of a giant but the maturity of an adolescent, they inevitably compromise the integrity of the institution to protect their own ego. As Thielicke suggests, some voices simply need to stop singing until they finish changing. Nothing is more destructive to a community than a leader whose internal organs haven't yet developed enough to carry the weight of their own authority. Growth isn’t measured by the size of a grandiose project, but by the ability to keep one's word in the small, ordinary things.
To quote, “Far from being cynical, the seminary professor concludes his warning by explaining why there is real danger in a young person speaking eloquently about theology before their life has matured enough to sustain it…”
Sadly, this is true for those in lay ministry, too. We have two mid-life family members who were dedicated to evangelism and Christian ministry for 20 years.
With it, i felt there was a bit of self-righteousness that made me uncomfortable. As I took from your article, I now see life experience and maturity hadn’t prepared them to live out the outward professions of faith.
As is often the case, all people, as well as people in Christian communities are just that—imperfect people.
In my family members case, they were repeatedly hurt and disappointed in their Christian work, even betrayed by close Christian friends. (Long, heartbreaking story)
So… I’m praying for them because their heartbreak seems to have caused them to “deconstruct” leaving their evangelism on the curb, so to speak.
I felt they could rely on scripture to help them, but they do not want to hear it—so, I question, was their faith immature, and only in a system and people. Hard to allow myself to think that, but maybe.
I don’t pretend to fully understand, but it seems maturity in their relationship with God was not enough to sustain the heartbreak their circumstances and so-called Christian people caused.
I suppose we could shorten Theological Puberty to TP, but that wouldn’t accord the concept the respect it deserves. Thanks for another good read. Speaking of TP, you’re on a roll!
As my cousin (same age as we are) once said to me regarding a woman much younger than her own son speaking at a women's conference on faith... "I looked at her and thought, 'you haven't lived long enough to really even know what you're talking about!'" Great article!
I have a volunteer leader in theology puberty right now, and they want to lead a men's bible study, but also want the last word and won't listen to any pushback. Apparently, if a meeting is God-ordained and anointed and the leader doesn't doubt in my heart, then when they lead, the following will "manifest": everyone will show up at the time they have picked, and no one will fall asleep. Doesn't matter their age, physical condition, and apparently, personal agency is not allowable if God gave me this vision of how the meeting will go. It's not always the pulpit ministry that people are speaking from.
I’m 27 and moving towards PhD work in Biblical Theology. It’s easy to feel the weight of this and get really frustrated by it. I wish I didn’t naturally want to kick against my human limits, and had an easier time embracing those puberty years. Who among us doesn’t look at the young and declare youth is wasted on them? Praying we would be those who treasure awkward adolescent years in all things.
I appreciate all of your posts, but this one is my favorite recently. When young, I remember certain older people putting constraints on me, both in the church but also in other academic pursuits. I remember being quite resentful. But, at this stage of life, I see the wisdom in it. Now, I work with young people and can see the value in patience in the learning process.
This piece made me think of the concept of the Dunning-Kruger Effect. What you describe above feels like the theological equivalent to that process. It seems that knowledge without experience minimizes the capacity to be empathetic, thus "puffing up" and failing to love well.
I think many of us have those moments where we reflect on our younger selves and think, “What an adorable idiot…”
This is SO good. I remember an old prof in grad school who would sometimes interrupt our disputations with, "Boys, you haven't lived long enough or sinned big enough to even have an opinion on that subject."
This so good--and wise. Thank you for sharing these thoughts.
Thank you so much! Timely words, as our college-aged staff arrives for camp training week tomorrow. I was just saying to someone today that they come so ready to do for God…but they don’t know what they don’t know…and those are the things that come with many years of living a life with God.
A wonderful post!
This makes me think of the lungs being formed in the growing life of the unborn child; not to be used until they enter the next stage of life. In order for this life to thrive outside the womb they will need this organ to be fully developed.
“In the information-obsessed world, how often do we make the dangerous choice of privileging intellect and knowledge over discipleship and formation?”
If intellect and knowledge are comparable to the growth of the lungs then discipleship and formation are likened to knowing when to take the first breath.
Such a sobering warning! I love how you described the way you interact with those young in the faith! So wise! Thank you so much for sharing this!
YES.
We ignore this at our own peril.
My teen kids have been invited on a “leaders-in-training” camp. That’s an awful lot to put on kids whose prefrontal cortexes are still in formation. Some of them still sleep with a soft toy. Some have never been to a funeral. Some have never earned a wage. Some struggle to make conversation with an adult. Leaders in training? Heaven help us! Why not “Keen and Bright Kids’ Camp"?
Love!! Your essays always refresh me!
Thielicke hits on a critical truth that spans every industry, from finance to ministry: there is a dangerous liability in ‘knowledge without character.’ When a leader possesses the vocabulary of a giant but the maturity of an adolescent, they inevitably compromise the integrity of the institution to protect their own ego. As Thielicke suggests, some voices simply need to stop singing until they finish changing. Nothing is more destructive to a community than a leader whose internal organs haven't yet developed enough to carry the weight of their own authority. Growth isn’t measured by the size of a grandiose project, but by the ability to keep one's word in the small, ordinary things.
Great article!
To quote, “Far from being cynical, the seminary professor concludes his warning by explaining why there is real danger in a young person speaking eloquently about theology before their life has matured enough to sustain it…”
Sadly, this is true for those in lay ministry, too. We have two mid-life family members who were dedicated to evangelism and Christian ministry for 20 years.
With it, i felt there was a bit of self-righteousness that made me uncomfortable. As I took from your article, I now see life experience and maturity hadn’t prepared them to live out the outward professions of faith.
As is often the case, all people, as well as people in Christian communities are just that—imperfect people.
In my family members case, they were repeatedly hurt and disappointed in their Christian work, even betrayed by close Christian friends. (Long, heartbreaking story)
So… I’m praying for them because their heartbreak seems to have caused them to “deconstruct” leaving their evangelism on the curb, so to speak.
I felt they could rely on scripture to help them, but they do not want to hear it—so, I question, was their faith immature, and only in a system and people. Hard to allow myself to think that, but maybe.
I don’t pretend to fully understand, but it seems maturity in their relationship with God was not enough to sustain the heartbreak their circumstances and so-called Christian people caused.
A familiar story—hence the need for your article!
I suppose we could shorten Theological Puberty to TP, but that wouldn’t accord the concept the respect it deserves. Thanks for another good read. Speaking of TP, you’re on a roll!
How apt! If only I’d realized during my theological puberty that humility was absolutely essential.
How wonderfully patient God is, as are the Church’s seasoned leaders.
Thank you, for this delightful article.
As my cousin (same age as we are) once said to me regarding a woman much younger than her own son speaking at a women's conference on faith... "I looked at her and thought, 'you haven't lived long enough to really even know what you're talking about!'" Great article!
I have a volunteer leader in theology puberty right now, and they want to lead a men's bible study, but also want the last word and won't listen to any pushback. Apparently, if a meeting is God-ordained and anointed and the leader doesn't doubt in my heart, then when they lead, the following will "manifest": everyone will show up at the time they have picked, and no one will fall asleep. Doesn't matter their age, physical condition, and apparently, personal agency is not allowable if God gave me this vision of how the meeting will go. It's not always the pulpit ministry that people are speaking from.
I’m 27 and moving towards PhD work in Biblical Theology. It’s easy to feel the weight of this and get really frustrated by it. I wish I didn’t naturally want to kick against my human limits, and had an easier time embracing those puberty years. Who among us doesn’t look at the young and declare youth is wasted on them? Praying we would be those who treasure awkward adolescent years in all things.
I appreciate all of your posts, but this one is my favorite recently. When young, I remember certain older people putting constraints on me, both in the church but also in other academic pursuits. I remember being quite resentful. But, at this stage of life, I see the wisdom in it. Now, I work with young people and can see the value in patience in the learning process.
This piece made me think of the concept of the Dunning-Kruger Effect. What you describe above feels like the theological equivalent to that process. It seems that knowledge without experience minimizes the capacity to be empathetic, thus "puffing up" and failing to love well.
Appreciate your thoughts and sharing AJ