What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem? What concord is there between the Academy and the Church? what between heretics and Christians? Our instruction comes from "the porch of Solomon," who had himself taught that "the Lord should be sought in simplicity of heart." Away with all attempts to produce a mottled Christianity of Stoic, Platonic, and dialectic composition!
Tertullian, 145-220 AD, On Prescription Against Heretics, Chapter VII (Anti-Nicene Fathers, T & T Clarke/Eerdmans, 1997, trans. Rev. Peter Holmes, p.246)
What do you think of this statement? Does it reflect the correct Biblical stance?
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Funny I should read this today Mike. A friend and I were discussing today how the American church has rejected a Jewish heart focused approach and has embraced a greeky/intellectual one.
ReplyDeleteI think that people are generally more comfortable approaching life from a tame and controlled brainy focus. The heart stuff can be pretty scary because it is pretty untamed.
I am convinced we need both head and heart and should not neglect either. But I think a bigger error is to base either one on the intellectual ideas and philosophies of our culture rather then the truth of God. But I agree it can sometimes be easier to coast along on a superficial level and not deal with real heart issues.
ReplyDeleteWell said Mike!
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