Last Sunday I spoke on regret and remembrance, and during the sermon mentioned that much of what I was speaking about was not learnt in Bible College, but in the warp and woof of life as a married man with three adult children, for there are some things that books cannot teach us. Afterwards a member of the congregation spoke earnestly to me as he was leaving saying he had been to Bible College for two years and had learned a lot, “so don’t knock Bible Colleges.” He totally misunderstood what I was saying. In fact I once taught students for a few years in the Elim Bible College at Nantwich, possibly the only visiting lecturer not theologically trained in a Bible seminary.

I like scholastic halls and student interaction, having been a Senior Lecturer and subject tutor for three degrees in Surveying and Building.  However, I have learned by experience that even with a clutch of degrees the real things of life are learned through revelation of the Holy Spirit on the living Word of God. Bible Colleges cannot teach that. Life itself is an education, there is no substitute. This does not mean that theological education [the study of God] is unimportant, it serves to lay a basis for correct understanding of principles, but The Presence always exceeds principles.

The Western mind always wants boxes to tick and to circumscribe all they know by deft definitions, but that in itself can be a prison, for having defined it, we sometimes fail to pursue further and become imprisoned by our current understanding. God usually speaks to the heart not the head, for the mind is often too logical for God and runs along known routes of interpretation.

Two sisters were heartbroken because their brother, whom Jesus loved, had died and the Lord had not come at their request. However, when he did arrive he made a significant statement; their reply was based on current knowledge and belief of that era.  Jesus said: “‘your brother will rise again.’ “ [John 11:23] “Martha said to Him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’”(vs. 24) — [Current belief and knowledge]. He replied thus:  “‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ‘And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ ” [John 11:25-26]. She was talking about faith in resurrection; Jesus was talking about resurrection faith. Acres apart! She was thinking probably infinity ahead, Jesus was thinking about 5 minutes ahead. He superseded prevalent philosophy, Jesus usually did and does.

Our knowledge of God is partial and there is a vast vista open to us to venture into divine knowledge that transforms life.  My early days as a preacher were spent on my knees by my bed reading the Bible seeking an understanding through the Spirit. My secular life was as a Civil Engineer with no time for Bible School, but the needs of the home and marriage with family life were my responsibility. In that wrenched time alone with God I assimilated His working in everyday life and the lessons pertinent to a daily walking with Him, in overcoming the vicissitudes that vexed my pathway, looking after a sick wife and managing three growing children; something a college could never do.

Early in the morning as the sun arose and late at night after a heavy day my heart sought the Lord. Years of following that pattern have resulted in knowledge that exceeds print and paper. It had to, to grow a congregation; people want to hear from God.  We need not only to know kingdom principles but for the KING to reveal himself. My purpose and calling, as it is in all ministries, is to know Jesus in the profundity of revelation. The favour of God is what we need; it transcends intellectual knowledge. Intimacy with God will solve many biblical problems not recorded in a multitude of commentaries.  God prepares a table for us before our enemies and the dainties are spectacular.

The word says: “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” [Deut 29:29]. Those things we do understand in the Spirit we must hold to, and search for the hidden manna under the shadow of the almighty.  The prayer of the Shulamite maiden is “Draw me away! We will run after you. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine” [Song 1:4]. That is where revelation is operative, where hearts are mingled in communion.  It is our Bible College!

Rev Michael Carr