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If you ask me, the separation of truth from meaning is a dangerous game. I don't think memorizing ideas helps anybody unless they already understand the meaning inferred in the expression of those ideas. I think ideas have to sink very deeply into a person's soul, into their being, before they can effect change, and lists rarely sink deeply into a person's soul.

After taking John Sailhamer's class, I thought about the difference between meaning and truth. I wondered if when we take Christian theology out of the context of its narrative, when we ignore the poetry in which it is presented, when we turn it into formulas to help us achieve the American dream, we lose its meaning entirely, and the ideas become fodder for the head but have no impact on the way we live our lives or think about God. This is, perhaps, why people are so hostile toward religion.

Reprinted by permission of Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville, TN., from the book entitled Searching for God Knows What copyright date 2004 by Donald Miller. All rights reserved. Copying or using this material without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited and in direct violation of copyright law.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

John Sailhamer teaches at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Searching for God Knows What is available from Christianbook.com and other book retailers.

More information is available from the publisher.

More about Donald Miller, his books, and a short music video is available from his website.

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November (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48