From Information to Transformation: Reclaiming the Heart of Scripture

By Dr. Tim Orr

The early 20th century marked a seismic shift in Christianity with the rise of the fundamentalist/modernist controversy. This theological battle was fought to preserve the Bible’s authority against modernist reinterpretations rooted in Enlightenment rationalism. While this defense of orthodoxy was necessary, it came with unintended consequences. For many Christians, the Bible became more of an intellectual fortress to defend than a source of spiritual transformation. This focus on the Bible as information rather than transformation persists in many corners of the church today, limiting its power to shape lives and hearts. How did this happen, and more importantly, how can it change?

The Bible: A Fortress of Facts

At its core, the fundamentalist/modernist controversy was about how Christians understand and respond to truth. Modernists sought to adapt the Bible to fit scientific and historical scrutiny, often discarding supernatural elements like miracles and divine revelation. Fundamentalists, in response, doubled down on the Bible’s inerrancy and infallibility, emphasizing its role as the ultimate source of truth (Marsden, 2006).

This defensive posture was crucial for preserving the faith against the encroaching tides of skepticism. However, it inadvertently reduced the Bible to a repository of facts and doctrines that must be mastered and defended. Knowing the correct doctrines became the pinnacle of faithfulness, while spiritual transformation often became secondary. In this environment, Bible study emphasized the accumulation of information—dates, contexts, genealogies, and doctrinal formulations—over the spiritual renewal Scripture was meant to inspire.

Churches and seminaries began to reflect this shift, producing Christians who could parse theological debates but often struggled to see how Scripture shaped their daily lives. While doctrinal clarity is important, this approach risks creating what Paul warned against: a knowledge that “puffs up” rather than builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1, NIV).

When Knowledge Alone Falls Short

An informational approach to Scripture has inherent limitations. First, it fosters legalism by reducing the Bible to a rulebook. When the focus is solely on mastering commands and prohibitions, the Christian life becomes a rigid exercise in following rules rather than a dynamic relationship with God. Second, it can breed intellectual pride, as believers equate knowledge of Scripture with spiritual maturity. This pride often manifests as judgmentalism or a lack of grace toward others who may not share the same level of biblical understanding.

Moreover, treating the Bible as primarily informational obscures its central purpose: transformation. Paul writes that all Scripture is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV). These activities are not merely intellectual; they are deeply relational and transformational. The Word of God is intended to shape what we know and who we are.

A Discipleship Strategy for Gospel-Transformed People

For the church to shift from an informational to a transformational approach, its discipleship strategy must also change. Discipleship is about equipping believers to understand the Bible and shaping them to embody the gospel daily. Here are some ways discipleship strategies can be reoriented toward transformation:

1. Prioritize Heart Change Over Behavior Modification

Too often, discipleship programs focus on external behaviors rather than the internal transformation that leads to lasting change. Jesus consistently addressed the heart, teaching that true obedience flows from a heart transformed by God’s grace (Matthew 22:37). Discipleship must emphasize cultivating a love for God and others, allowing behavior to flow naturally from that love.

2. Integrate Spiritual Disciplines

Transformational discipleship must include practices like meditation, prayer, fasting, and solitude, which allow believers to encounter God deeply. These disciplines help integrate Scripture into the rhythms of daily life, creating space for the Holy Spirit to shape character and desires.

3. Focus on Community

The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes the role of community in spiritual growth. Transformation happens in relationships where believers encourage, challenge, and hold one another accountable. Churches should prioritize small groups or discipleship communities where believers can study Scripture, pray, and share life.

4. Equip for Mission

Discipleship must move beyond self-focused spiritual growth and equip believers to accomplish God’s mission. As Jesus sent His disciples into the world, He called them to make other disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Transformational discipleship equips believers to live as witnesses to Christ, demonstrating the gospel in word and deed.

5. Teach the Grand Narrative

Rather than reducing the Bible to proof texts or doctrinal debates, discipleship should focus on teaching Scripture as a cohesive narrative of God’s redemptive work. This approach helps believers see their place in God’s story and inspires them to live as active participants in His mission (Wright, 2006).

6. Model Transformation

Leaders must embody the transformation they seek to cultivate in others. Paul repeatedly called his followers to imitate him as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Discipleship strategies must include mentorship, where mature believers model a life of faith, humility, and love for those they are discipline.

Rediscovering the Transformational Power of Scripture

Reclaiming the Bible’s transformational power does not mean abandoning its role as a source of information. Doctrine matters, and theological clarity is essential. However, information must lead to transformation. As Dallas Willard (2006) famously wrote, “The gospel is not just about getting people into heaven but getting heaven into people.” The same can be said of Scripture: its goal is not just to fill our minds with facts but to fill our lives with Christ.

When discipleship strategies emphasize transformation, the church can rediscover the fullness of Scripture’s power. Believers will not only know the Word but also be shaped by it, living as salt and light in a world desperate for the hope and love of Christ. This is the church’s calling—to make disciples who embody the gospel, reflect Christ, and live as agents of His kingdom.

References

Marsden, G. M. (2006). Fundamentalism and American culture. Oxford University Press.

Willard, D. (2006). The divine conspiracy: Rediscovering our hidden life in God. HarperOne.

Wright, N. T. (2006). Simply Christian: Why Christianity makes sense. HarperSanFrancisco.

Tim Orr is a scholar of Islam, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. Tim taught Religious Studies for 15 years at Indiana University Columbus and is now a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He has spoken at universities, including Oxford University, Imperial College London, the University of Tehran, Islamic College London, and mosques throughout the U.K. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism, and he has published widely, including articles in Islamic peer-reviewed journals and three books.