Being Half-Brained

I’ve been called that plenty of times in my life for various reasons. And some of them were justified, I am sure!  Being half-brained was one of them, “You half-brained nitwit!” What about you?  Have you ever been called half-brained?  Unfortunately, there are strong indicators that the largest part of the church is half-brained. And just as it sounds, that is not good.

I want to pick up from last week’s post about becoming an apprentice. There are apprentices under rabbis, and then there are apprentices under THE Rabbi Jesus.

I am spelling out the differences between the two to make my point. The majority of the church is half-brained.

Key Differences

The first key difference, #1 below, is the core of it. However, the other three differences are worth noting:

1. The Goal of Apprenticeship
   • A rabbi’s disciple aims to master Jewish law and wisdom (thus the picture above), eventually becoming a teacher or leader in the community.
   • A disciple of Jesus seeks to be transformed into His likeness (Romans 8:29), spreading His message and living by faith, grace, and love.
2. The Nature of the Teacher
   • A rabbi is a teacher and interpreter of Jewish law, guiding students in how to live according to the Torah.
   • Jesus’ disciples see Him as more than a teacher—they believe He is the Messiah, the Son of God, and follow Him as their Lord to be more like Him.
3. Interpretation of the Law
   • A rabbi teaches Halacha (Jewish law) as binding.
   • Jesus taught fulfillment of the law through love and faith (Matthew 5:17), shifting the focus from external adherence to an internal (personal) relationship with God.
4. Mission and Calling
   • A rabbi’s disciple usually continues within Jewish religious tradition, training others in Torah.
   • A disciple of Jesus is called to be like Him and do as He did, to share (by word and by action) the good news about Jesus (Matthew 28:19).

Conclusion of Differences

Both forms of apprenticeship require deep commitment, study, and life transformation. However, following a rabbi focuses on the interpretation and practice of Jewish law. Following Jesus focuses on the relationship with Him, being more like Him, doing as He does, and bringing that good news to others.

So, most of the Church is too concerned about how much you know, and if you’re in leadership, what degrees you have. My friend John Grunewald reminds me that faith is meant to be simple.

Now, ‘knowing’ is not a bad thing in itself. Getting knowledge out of balance with the other key factors is. Such as being an apprentice of His (walking with Him and doing as He does). Then it’s more about being called a Christian rather than being His apprentice.

Left Brain vs Right Brained

We know we are called to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind.

Matthew 22:37 NIV

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Unfortunately, the church as a whole is more about the mind (the left brain) and not producing whole-brained Christians. Despite the best efforts, increasing transformation into the image of Christ seems to be the exception, not the rule. That’s what being an apprentice with Jesus is about.

According to Michel Hendricks in his book The Other Half of Church,

“Unfortunately, the better part of the church seems more focused on the knowledge of God, knowing about God. That is out of balance with experiencing and living out that relationship WITH God.”

What Do You Think, Left Brain?

Jeanne Robertson was a Christian comedian and a former Miss North Carolina and Miss Congeniality in the Miss America Pageant. She would often refer to her husband as Left Brain. She shared a story demonstrating the difference between the Left Brain and Right Brain. Check out this YouTube clip…

Challenge of the Week

Next week I will probe more into the right-brain and whole brain. Until then, know about Him. But find out what steps you have to take in the next week to begin an apprenticeship with Him. That’s your challenge. So be it.