Sometimes non-evangelicals or non-Christians charge evangelicals as being anti-intellectual, basing their faith on intuition and experience, and as being even opposed to academic studies that may be relevant to Christianity. On the other hand, some evangelicals charge other evangelicals, those usually in the Reformed camp such as conservative Presbyterians, or Calvinistic Baptists, etc., as being intellectuals, solely concerned with academic pursuits and unconcerned with spiritual experience. Since the theology of this web site is mostly concerned with conservative, Protestant, Evangelical Christianity as defined during the Protestant Reformation (as indicated on the home page), summarized by the five solas of the Reformation, and also by the principal doctrine of the Reformation, Justification by Faith alone, and given detailed expression in the Westminster Confession of Faith, it is the latter charge of being solely concerned with academic pursuits and unconcerned with spiritual experience, that is addressed here. I think a proper understanding is that spiritual experience should be based on a solid foundation of sound Biblical theology, and that this theology is only properly understood if it results in the spiritual experience of worship and adoration.

To that end, I have posted here slides presented in a Sunday School class by ruling elder Morten Vigilius in my church on January 10, 2016, titled "Our Chief End: To Glorify and Enjoy God." These slides cannot capture the passion and emotion with which they were presented, but the content is there. This theme, which stresses the magnificent union that we are called to with our Creator God, can be a bit overwhelming, but very important and, I think, somewhat neglected. References are given in the slides for those who wish to pursue this theme in greater detail.

To view or download the slides, click here.