In the letter to the Hebrews, we read of a group of Christians who risked apostasy after having endured persecution. While they had “endured a hard struggle with sufferings,” which included “being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction” (10:32–33), they had since been neglecting their faith to the point that the author of Hebrews had occasion to write to them. We get a glimpse into the nature of their neglect as we read the various exhortations. The author, for example, urges the congregation to pay closer attention to what they have been taught lest they drift away (2:1); to strive to enter eternal rest while there is still time (4:11); and to not fail to meet regularly as a community of believers (10:25). At the end of chapter 5, we see how the congregation had been neglecting to attain a certain level of maturity:
5:11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Heb. 5:11–14)
For the author, Christian maturity involves a baseline or foundation of knowledge of the “basic principles of the oracles of God” (v. 12). By these “oracles,” the author meant both knowledge of the Old Testament and what had since been revealed in Christ (see Hebrews 1:1–2).1 More particularly, the author mentions the following:
6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
The foundation of knowledge, then, includes doctrines and instructions regarding the “elementary doctrine of Christ,” repentance, washings (baptisms), laying on of hands, the resurrection, and eternal judgment, all of which are revealed in the Old Testament and through Christ. This is the “milk” that the author is referring to, when he says that the congregation needs milk, and not solid food. And once this foundation has been taught, Christians are expected to grow up and move onto the “solid food” of deeper theology (e.g., the doctrine of Christ as a priest in the order of Melchizedek; see Heb. 5:9–10).
Besides possessing a certain body of knowledge, mature Christians are also expected to have a certain level of skill over what they have been taught. While simply having the foundation of knowledge is necessary for Christian maturity, it is not sufficient. As the author writes, “everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness” (5:13). By contrast, those who live on solid food—that is, those who are mature in faith, who are acquainted with more than just basic doctrines—have a certain level of proficiency. Their knowledge can withstand testing.2 They are able to instruct others in what they have been taught (5:12). And they can discern between good and evil (5:14), being able to rightly judge action and assertion according to the teachings of Scripture.3
Now, drawing from my own experience, I worry that churches and individual Christians often neglect this aspect of Christian maturity.4 I wonder to what extent churches take for granted the theological literacy of its members, rather than providing opportunities to learn and review the basics of the faith, let alone more robust theological topics and to the extent that their members can teach others. In some cases, pastors deliberately avoid topics such as eternal judgment, which, according to the author of Hebrews, is part of the foundational body of knowledge. The prevalence of theologically shallow materials (e.g., books, video series, personality tests), taught from the pulpit or used in smaller group settings, is concerning as well. While they are widely available (perhaps that is part of the problem) and perhaps useful in some contexts, oftentimes they contain what is not even worthy of being considered spiritual milk.
Besides risking immaturity, I worry that Christians who neglect to become mature in faith will become increasingly more likely to fall into heterodoxy if not outright apostasy, especially given the recent push of anti-biblical ideas by Western society. I suspect that such neglect is a factor in the increase of young progressive churches. Minds not built upon the foundation of the Word are bound to fall to every wind of doctrine.5
1 Note that by the time of the Apostles, other documents, such as the writings of Paul, were being recognized as Scripture (see 2 Pet. 3:15–16).
2 The Greek word for “unskilled,” apeiros, can have the sense of being unsuccessful under testing. I take it, then, that mature Christians can reason from Scripture and can back up the claims of Scripture if needed (cf. 1 Pet. 3:15).
3 I do not mean to imply (nor do I think the author of Hebrews meant to either) that every mature Christian should be a scholar, apologist, pastor, or teacher (in an official sense). God has gifted the individual Christian with his own set of strengths, and Christians will vary with respect to their intellectual gifts. While there is a general expectation for all Christians to grow into intellectual maturity, what is particularly expected of an individual Christian will depend on how God has gifted him.
4 My own experience is limited, of course, and this is a case where I would be glad if my worries were shown to be ill-founded. Still, certain studies (e.g., this survey by Lifeway) are often taken to show widespread biblical illiteracy within the (American) church. A more detailed examination of such studies is beyond the scope of this post, but perhaps my readers can chime in with their own experiences. To be sure, I am acquainted with churches that do address this issue by offering classes in order to equip their congregations with a baseline of theological knowledge. These churches, though, might be exceptional.
5 Thanks to Daniel for comments on an earlier draft.
Hebrews 5:12-14 was referenced along with Ephesians 4:14 (and 2:20) in our pastor's sermon this week. Your connection with churches neglecting the meat and becoming progressive is a good one. Sadly, many don't even get the milk! They deny the foundation in their "deconstruction".
I wonder if our problem is that we are too comfortable in our Christian liberty that we group that in with theology. We'd rather not alienate a congregation full of different views instead of teaching them the correct ones. In turn, we end up with a congregation with poor discernment because they aren't trained with constant practice (Heb. 5:14).
Great summary.
I would agree, and wonder if a lack of maturity seen in some churches is a result of a lack of good discipleship programs. There should be babies in every congregation, and plenty of opportunities to receive pure spiritual milk at church (1 Peter 2:2).
But I’ve wondered why many long time church attendees come to a course like Alpha, for example, which is meant for those new to the faith (though I know that some come out of curiosity or to bring a friend who needs it, or to learn to dialogue about the basics). I’ve had discussions with several long time church attendees at Alpha who still don’t understand the basics, or who have never chosen baptism, and that’s concerning.
I also think some people don’t want to grow up. With knowledge comes responsibility - it’s uncomfortable and it means letting go of sin. This could be the biggest problem.
“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Well organized mentorship programs in churches are also helpful, giving opportunities for both mature and immature believers to learn and grow together. This models a healthy family.