Theology Blog

I have been thinking about fruit lately, particularly in the Biblical sense. In the agrarian culture of Biblical times, fruit is referenced quite a bit. In talking with a youth worker the other day, I made one of those comments that once it came out, I realized there might be something to it.

We are called to bear fruit, not produce it.

I am still thinking about this theologically imperfect comment, because in the midst of its imperfection there is something there.

So what is the difference between bearing fruit and producing it? Very little, and a lot, all at the same time. I am still figure it out and will be pondering the idea for quite some time.

When we produce fruit, we simply create it, or make it. Its like the idea of making believers or focusing on numerical growth. Its all about production, duplication, efficiency and results. It is a consumer mindset, one that is focused on mass production. It is efficient and it looks great on the outside. It is all about what we do–its the human doing concept.

Bearing fruit is more of a way of life. It comes out of who we are, but there is something deeper there. It is the idea of discipleship and is focused on depth and not numbers. It is not necessarily efficient and is more about multiplication and process, not so much about results. It is relational in nature and does not look nearly as good on the outside as it does on the inside. It is about who we are and not what we do. It is focused on the human being concept. It trusts that we are not in charge and we do not have to perform.

We are called to bear fruit, not produce it?

What does this really mean? What are the strengths of this conversations? What are the weaknesses? What the deeply theological, Biblical truths? What are the falsehoods of this statement? I look forward to processing this more.