Perhaps Spener's most serious challenge to the Christian reader is his insistence that those who do not plan to implement scriptural teaching should not even bother to open the text. The demand of the text is always for one to enter into its world, adjust one's own view to the text, and then apply the textual insight to everyday living. The reader's progressive understanding of the text is thus inseparably tied to practical application. According to Spener, God will not grant new insights to those who do not practice what they already know to be true. Those who do not implement their knowledge are not serious about sanctification, says Spener. They want merely to tickle the old Adam; they pray and search the scriptures all they want, but God will grant insight and growth only to serious readers. Those who obediently practice God's will are also those who will soon see the fruits of their application and will thus be encouraged to approach the text again with increased trust and eagerness (122).

posted by Peter at 10:06 PM
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