Lifelong Learning & Jesus’ Commission

Listen: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2

I was recently having a conversation with someone who was deconstructing their faith journey. (I’ve actually had hundreds of these conversations with people over the last two years.) Many of the things he had believed as a teenager and young adult had proven to be destructive to his soul. He was still incredibly hungry to learn and grow spiritually, but he was open to new ideas and spiritual practices.

I have always had an extraordinary desire to learn and grow. As a teenager, I committed myself to following Jesus and one of the things that changed in my life (among many) as a result of that commitment was a voracious appetite to read and learn and study. I started devouring books and began a lifelong journey of formal and informal education. Since I have gone through my own personal crisis and deconstruction, I have continued to value lifelong learning.

I have also been thinking about lifelong learning and spiritual growth in relationship to the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20. All four gospels record a slightly different version of the Great Commission, but Matthew’s version is the most famous. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20; ESV). Let’s consider and maybe reconsider the essence of this challenge. 

Go. It’s an action verb (present participle). “As you are going” is a good translation. As you are living life, think about its meaning and purpose. This life is a spiritual adventure. It’s a sacred life, and we don’t want to waste it 

Make disciples. A disciple is a learner, a student, a pupil. Good students are open and curious and inquisitive. God is revealed everywhere in his creation, and all truth is his truth. I am reminded of the Teacher in Ecclesiastes (Qohelet): “I, the Teacher, was king of Israel, and I lived in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 1:12-13; NLT). Or the words of Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Lifelong learning is good for the brain and good for our spiritual and emotional health.

Of all nations. Everyone is included. This lifestyle is not the exclusive domain of any one group of people. It includes all nations. Every life is sacred, and we have the privilege of joining together in this sacred journey called life. 

Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This Trinitarian formula speaks to the nature of ultimate reality. Ancient philosophers tried to figure out what unified everything and what accounted for diversity—unity and diversity. This ancient Trinitarian formula speaks of a community of unity and diversity, masculine (Father/Son) and feminine (Spirit). When God created humans in his image and likeness, he created them male and female (Genesis 1:27). Ultimate reality is a loving community of unity and diversity. Baptism means “immersion.” So we are to be fully immersed in a loving community of unity and diversity. Read Richard Rohr’s book on the Trinity entitled The Divine Dance. It’s the best book I have read on the Trinity, and Rohr’s vision is beautiful. A must read!

Teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. Jesus is certainly one of the greatest teachers in history. His teachings reverberate throughout the world. The Sermon on the Mount, his parables, his gospel for misfits, his heart for healing, his love of community, his servant leadership, his ethic of forgiveness and love for your enemy, and his sacrificial love are some of the most breathtaking examples of humanity at its best. Regardless of your faith tradition or lack thereof, Jesus’ teachings are truly compelling.

So what is a disciple? A disciple is a learner, a student. One of the beautiful things about 21st Century living is the availability of information. It’s a curse and a blessing. Most people in the world have cell phones. I’ve been in remote, poverty stricken African villages, but I have seen charging stations for cell phones. Sub-Saharan Africa has over 240,000 cell towers providing mobile coverage to about 70% of the population. Remarkable. We can access the world’s greatest libraries and the world’s greatest teachers almost instantly from our phones. We can also get trapped into mind-numbing algorithms of information fed to us by multibillion dollar marketing companies. (See the documentary Social Dilemma on Netflix.) My vision for Spirituality Adventures is to ignite spiritual growth and transformation through blogs, podcasting, teaching, events, community groups, and community service. I look forward to growing together as lifelong learners.

Shalom

©realfredherron, 2021