BEYOND HUMAN ACCREDITATION BEYOND HUMAN ACCREDITATION THE CALL The late Paul Grant Published in www.GlobalMissiology.org April 2013 (This poetic reflection respects God’s gifts of intelligence and scholarship and their place in the human scheme of things. Its thrust, however, is towards that unique endowment of a knowledge that transcends mental thought, yet, when honoured and received purifies and elevates human intelligence. The way we see, understand, and interpret the world around us (“worldview”), through Christ, and by the power and illumination of the Spirit, is a continuing education through transformation. Reason submits to revelation and finds its healing and fullness of function. All believers are equally called and with that call equally accredited in the service of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 presents a reading that is essential for the following perspectives to be clearly understood.) 1 Samuel 3:19-4:1 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognised that Samuel was attested (‘accredited’) as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh , and there revealed himself to Samuel through his word. And Samuel’s word came to all Israel. Jeremiah 1:4-5 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Galatians 1:15 God set me apart from birth and called me by his grace. Western worldview thought Promotes accreditation, Pursuit of learning and training For a profession or vocation For societies to develop In our post-modern cultures People must be skilled and taught Through levels and procedures Training, skilling, and apprenticeships, Are pathways towards a vocation; Professional recognition is achieved Through higher education A man or woman is normally affirmed By an accrediting organisation Approved by governments under law To confer due recognition People who succeed are recognised And given a qualification, This gives the person eligibility And status for career and function Jesus’ call for labourers Carries different requirements, The Master simply confronts us With a challenge to obedience Through total submission to his will We begin our discipleship training, Captivating our deepest affections He promotes our yearning for learning Sealed and empowered by the Holy Spirit We are tutored in truth and grace, Revelation provides true information Held fast by his embrace Credentialled by God’s own equipping, We are given a qualification, Transformed by the renewing of our minds A transcendent education Obedience to Jesus’ surpassing call Means brain power is brought into order, Human accreditations have their place But the Spirit is the Controller The call of God brings enlightenment Of a kind transcending all wisdom Yet thought made captive to God’s will Takes on a new dimension So all believers are accredited By the Trinity Company Unlimited, Christ’s redemption gives them authority For they have been in-Spirited This is at the essence of God’s call, An ordination for each believer, A qualification given to one and all, An endorsement for service from our Creator Scholarship credentials have a place In God’s great Kingdom service, However, the scholar and apostle Paul Was challenged by the risen Jesus He was shown that intelligence alone Registered deficiency, Wisdom and learning is seen as barren Unable itself to attain proficiency Only the wisdom of the Holy Spirit Can impart full revelation Of things divine and God’s way of thinking, For divinely approved accreditation Philippians three is Paul’s testimony Of his own accreditation, Once qualified by a Rabbi’s Degree He received God’s own benediction He heard the call; he renounced all gain; He relinquished self-reputation, Forgetting his own accomplishments He claimed the gifts of redemption He saw his call as qualification For an apostolic function, Not a potential that he developed, Rather, by the Spirit’s unction So, Samuel, Jeremiah, and Paul Exploring the meaning of destiny Found in the experience of a personal call Their accreditation for ministry However, there is one more thing to note, The call brings with it an identity, A gift that defines the person, And the domain of his or her activity With spiritual gifts, it is edification , With ascension gifts, it is leadership , In every case the accreditation Is under the risen Christ’s Headship He is the Source of true endorsement He is the ultimate Fountainhead, He is the One who issues credentials, An authenticity from the Godhead � 1 Corinthians 1-2 � 1 Corinthians 12 � Ephesians 4:11 Beyond Human Accreditation by Paul E. Grant April 2009 Page 1