Who Do You Think Can Think?

The Temple police reported back to the religious leaders, who demanded, “Why didn’t you bring Jesus with you?” They answered, “Have you heard the way he talks? We’ve never heard anyone speak like him.” They said, “Are you carried away like the rest of the rabble? You don’t see any of us believing in him, do you? It’s only this crowd, ignorant of the Law, that is taken in.” – John 7:45-49 (MSG, adapted) 

He was a second-career student in his first semester of seminary. The curriculum messed with his brain, his assumptions, his heart. But after a few weeks, theological jargon started tripping off his tongue. He was more confident in discussions. He was learning. And loving it. 

One day, after a particularly challenging lecture, he approached his professor, “That was amazing! I wish people in my church could understand it. It’s too bad you can’t teach this stuff to a layperson.” 

The professor looked him up and down and said, “I just did.” 

Who did he think he was?  

There he stood, fresh from the pews, already a condescending religious leader who couldn’t imagine that the “rabble” could have right belief because they don’t know and can’t learn. 

There he was, a month into his first semester, and “laypeople” were already beneath him.  

Four weeks in, and the stage was already set for a future ministry in which he would vastly underestimate the people he was called to serve. 

Learning matters. The church doesn’t need ministers who can’t think. But it also suffers terribly from ministers who think no one else can. 

Prayer
Holy Spirit, you gave insight and learning to the whole church, not just to a few. May those you call to preach and teach do so with your own confidence in the capacity of every member to know the depths of the riches of God.

About the Author
Mary Luti is a long time seminary educator and pastor, author of Teresa of Avila’s Way and numerous articles, and founding member of The Daughters of Abraham, a national network of interfaith women’s book groups.