Intellectualism, But Not Saving Faith

Read Mark 12:28-34.

Especially striking is verse 34a: "When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.'"  Why did Jesus say this particular scribe was not far?  What does that even mean?  A simple reading of the passage causes us to understand immediately that Jesus was saying that this scribe knew his stuff.  He knew the law intellectually and that very well.

This stands to remind us of a few realities.  Intellectualism is not saving faith.  Knowing a lot about the Bible or Christianity--even knowing it well and rightly--does not make one a Christian.  One is not in the kingdom of God by mere intellectual knowledge.  Correct interpretation does no good unless it is followed by correct application in life, which apparently this scribe lacked.  That's why he was "not far from the kingdom of God."

Note well, however, that this does not mean faith is the absence of intellect.  The Christian faith is not a blind one that accepts anything and everything uncritically and unexamined just because it is what we are taught or want to believe.  The Christian faith is a logical one, rooted in reality and reason, with plenty of evidence to support it, both physical and philosophical.  Jesus did not denounce this scribe's knowledge; rather, He implicitly affirmed it.  The scribe's knowledge obviously counted for something to get him close to the kingdom of God.  This reminds me of something I often say: "You don't have to have a PhD in theology to get saved, but you have to know something."  This reminds me of a quote by R.C. Sproul, who said, "Faith is not mere intellectual assent, but it is not less."

James 2:19 says, "You believe that God is one.  You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder" (cf. Mark 12:32, wherein the scribe affirmed that oneness of God).  Demons have intellectual assent.  Demons went to the synagogue and, in Mark's Gospel, a demon was the first one to announce the true identity of Jesus (Mark 1:23-24).  The devil himself quoted Scripture in the wilderness of Jesus' temptation (Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13).

Now for one of my favorite questions: what makes you different than a demon?  This is precisely the point that oh-so-close scribe missed.  He knew the right stuff, but it did not infiltrate his life and change him.

If I am being honest, this is frightening for me, particularly as one who is intellectually inclined and driven.  I like knowing stuff.  It is quite possible to go through your whole Christian life--and even to serve in ministry--knowing the right stuff, but not truly being born again.  (It's not unheard of that long-time pastors get saved in their latter years!)  This then makes me think of Matthew 7:21-23.  And I, like the demons, shudder.

How can we know?  We must continually examine ourselves and look at the fruit of our lives.  Correct interpretation is necessary, but not sufficient.  Is there sufficient change and growth in my inward life by the Holy Spirit's work that manifests itself outwardly?  Am I growing in Christ-likeness, in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

So how far is "not far?"  To use a cliche, I would propose 18 inches.  There's 18 inches from your head to your heart.  The Christian faith must reside in both.  The scribe fell short of the kingdom of God by 18 inches.  Will you?

If you know all the right stuff, but sense that you have not truly embraced it with all your heart and soul, please this moment repent of the demon-like mere intellectual assent that keeps you 18 inches from the gate of heaven.  Trust fully and actually with your life the Lord Jesus Christ.  Trust what He has done for you through His death to meet the penalty of sin and appease the wrath of God by shedding His blood for the forgiveness of sin.  Believe that His resurrection from the dead has defeated the power of death and brought victory and eternal life to those who follow Him.  Surrender to Him and give your entire self, body and soul, to following Him.  Live for Him.  Correctly apply what you correctly interpret.  Eighteen inches is all it takes.  Will you receive Him and His message by faith and not mere intellectual assent?