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Harley. Nice to hear from you!

I think that certainly the impulse behind this post is good and important. What many years ago was referred to as “misbelief” is harmful for the person “misbelieving” and for the body.

On the other hand, I worry about making “fides quae creditur” a kind of work, or freighting it with the anxiety that “works righteousness” can carry.

Also, frankly, there is a number of people who do not have the capacity to ‘do theology.’ Among these are many, I imagine, who have a great grace to cast all their care on Him who cares for them, who have a humble and faithful gratitude for the saving love of God in Christ Jesus, and who, in general, could put a lot of learned and articulate people to shame here on earth and will shine far brighter than they in the hereafter.

So, I’m not so much saying “right” or “wrong.” I guess I am asking you to comment on the proposition: There are many rich in the grace of saving faith who are not called to teach or to expound on their faith because they lack some of the tricks of wit and imagination and some of the verbal skills to give a good account of Him in whom they place their trust.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

There are many rich in the grace of saving faith who are not called to teach or to expound on their faith because they lack some of the tricks of wit and imagination and some of the verbal skills to give a good account of Him in whom they place their trust.

Anyone who thinks Harley was advocating "wit" and "imagination" as requirements to knowing God has clearly not understood his post.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" -- 1 Peter 3:15

Also, frankly, there is a number of people who do not have the capacity to ‘do theology.’ I guess I am asking you to comment on the proposition: There are many rich in the grace of saving faith who are not called to teach or to expound on their faith because they lack some of the tricks of wit and imagination and some of the verbal skills to give a good account of Him in whom they place their trust.

You don't have to be a great theologian or witty to know God. All you only have to know is who God is and who you are. If you TRULY understand that, then you understand God.