Theological Objectivity in Personal Spiritual Growth and Development
Theological objectivity in personal spiritual growth involves a mature understanding of Christian faith that moves beyond individual experience to embrace communal edification and a deeper knowledge of Christ [2, 3]. This growth is not merely subjective feeling but is rooted in objective truth and expressed through discerning judgment and love [7].
Spiritual growth is often described as a process of increasing maturity, where believers become more like Christ [2]. This maturity is characterized by the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, indicating a developed spiritual perception [4]. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians, emphasizes that the primary purpose of spiritual gifts is not self-edification but the strengthening of the entire church [1]. To be mature in understanding spiritual matters means recognizing that gifts are not ends in themselves for personal enjoyment [3]. Instead, they contribute to the collective growth of the body of Christ, where each member plays a vital role [6].
The process of growth requires active engagement with spiritual truths. Believers are encouraged to "meditate carefully" on these things, allowing spiritual food to be assimilated through prayerful reflection, much like physical food is digested [5]. This involves a complete dedication to spiritual pursuits, fostering proficiency and development [5]. The goal is for the entire Christian community to deepen its understanding and experience of the faith, leading to a profound knowledge of God’s Son [2].
This growth is also described as an increase in "grace" and the "favor of God," where every divine influence received is seen as a seed that, when nurtured, will multiply [8]. Adam Clarke, commenting on 2 Peter, describes the Christian life as a continuous growth, moving from a "little child" to a "young man" and eventually a "father in Christ" [8]. This ongoing development involves continually increasing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior, sanctifier, counselor, and preserver [8]. Love is identified as a crucial element in this growth, guarding it from becoming "ill-judged enthusiasm" and ensuring that knowledge and perception are rightly applied [6, 7]. When all believers minister effectively, the entire body becomes healthy, growing, and filled with love, with Christ as the ultimate source of this development [6].
Sources
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 14:4: 14:4 The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is not self-edification, but the strengthening of the entire church (see 12:7; cp. 8:1; 14:12).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 14:20: 14:20 To be mature in understanding such matters, one must consider the purpose of spiritual gifts and not treat them as ends in themselves for one’s own enjoyment.”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 5:14: 5:14 Being able to recognize the difference between right and wrong is a defining characteristic of spiritual maturity.”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:15: Meditate--Greek, "Meditate CAREFULLY upon" (Psa 1:2; Psa 119:15; compare "Isaac," Gen 24:63). these things-- (Ti1 4:12-14). As food would not nourish without digestion, which assimilates the food to the substance of the body, so spiritual food, in order to benefit us, needs to be appropriated by prayerful meditation. give thyself wholly to--literally, "BE in these things"; let them engross thee wholly; be wholly absorbed in them. Entire self-dedication, as in other pursuits, so especially in religion, is the secret of proficiency. There are chan”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:16: 4:16 Each part of the body plays an important role and helps the other parts grow. Christ, the head of the body, works through the individual parts, makes them fit together, and is the ultimate source of growth (see Col 2:19). • When all believers are ministering effectively, the whole body will be healthy and growing and full of love (cp. 1 Cor 8:1). Love is the most important factor in Christian growth (1 Cor 13:1-13).”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 1:9: The subject of his prayer for them (Phi 1:4). your love--to Christ, producing love not only to Paul, Christ's minister, as it did, but also to one another, which it did not altogether as much as it ought (Phi 2:2; Phi 4:2). knowledge--of doctrinal and practical truth. judgment--rather, "perception"; "perceptive sense." Spiritual perceptiveness: spiritual sight, spiritual hearing, spiritual feeling, spiritual taste. Christianity is a vigorous plant, not the hotbed growth of enthusiasm. "Knowledge" and "perception" guard love from being ill-jud”
- 2 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace - Increase in the image and favor of God; every grace and Divine influence which ye have received is a seed, a heavenly seed, which, if it be watered with the dew of heaven from above, will endlessly increase and multiply itself. He who continues to believe, love, and obey, will grow in grace, and continually increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, as his sacrifice, sanctifier, counsellor, preserver, and final Savior. The life of a Christian is a growth; he is at first born of God, and is a little child; becomes a young man, and a father in Chr”