Faith Meets Academia
Welcome to Faith Meets Academia!
Struggling to connect your faith with everyday life, career ambitions, or academic pursuits? Hosted by a university professor and ordained minister, Dr. Adrian Reynolds, this podcast will help you translate your faith-based values into personal growth, professional development, and academic success. Faith Meets Academia emphasizes that faith and work can forge a mutually sustaining partnership.
Each episode breaks down complex academic concepts into everyday language and connects them with timeless spiritual principles for transformational learning and development. By the end of each episode, you will be equipped with practical tools to set the tone for a purposeful, productive week.
Join the journey today!
Your host, Adrian Reynolds (Ph.D.), is an ordained minister, learning coach, and assistant professor of medical education at an R1 university. He is on a mission to merge educational innovation with biblical wisdom. Dr. Reynolds brings over two decades of teaching experience across the educational continuum: from working with underserved, high school students as a state-certified instructor of Spanish to coaching students in graduate and professional degree programs in evidence-based teaching skills and the science of learning.
Dr. Reynolds’ work is located within the rapidly growing field of applied learning sciences and is driven by both socio-cognitive and sociocultural approaches to learning and teaching. His preventive model of academic coaching has been published in journals such as Medical Teacher and Clinical Teacher. He has held over 1,000 (one-on-one) academic coaching sessions with medical students, residents, fellows, and pre-med students. Dr. Reynolds has developed numerous peer-teaching programs for medical students in addition to courses in the science of learning for residents, pre-med and high school students.
Dr. Reynolds has been preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for over 10 years both nationally and internationally. He has long been recognized to seamlessly intertwine academic concepts with biblical principles: His approach to preaching and teaching the word of God is centered around growth mindset (Philippians 4:13), transformational learning (Romans 12:2), and reflective, mindful practice (Philippians 4:8, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:97).
As a missionary ambassador, Dr. Reynolds has embarked on transformative journeys that bridge cultures and continents, bringing tangible support and hope to those in need. Most recently, in the fall of 2023, his dedication to humanitarian causes led him to Mozambique: From the bustling streets of Maputo to the serene countryside of Inharrime, through the unwavering support and sponsorship from faith-based leaders and communities, Dr. Reynolds has played a pivotal role in the allocation of humanitarian aid and educational resources, providing essential support to elevate community wellbeing.
Earlier that year, he engaged in a mission focused on cultural exchange and relationship-building in the Maputo province to better understand and address local challenges. Through these missions, Dr. Reynolds exemplifies the true essence of a missionary ambassador, integrating service, education, and faith into impactful action.
Faith Meets Academia
Episode 35: What Does it Really Mean to be Perfect?
Can the pursuit of perfection be a spiritual journey rather than a quest for flawlessness? Let's explore this question together. In this episode, Dr. A unpacks the concept of biblical perfection, challenging conventional beliefs and offering insights that could transform your understanding of what it means to be truly complete. By engaging with key scriptures such as Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and Matthew 5:48, he redefines perfection as a path of wholehearted commitment to spiritual growth and alignment with God's divine purpose. Through captivating stories, like that of the rich young ruler, he illustrates that true perfection is not a righteousness checklist, but a call to prioritize eternal, heavenly treasures over earthly gains.
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DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely my own and do not reflect or represent the positions, policies, or opinions of my employer, any organization or academic institution with which I am affiliated. This podcast is a personal initiative, and is not connected to my official/ formal duties and responsibilities as a university professor.
Hey friends, welcome back to Faith Meets Academia, episode 35. I have a really important question for you today, and that is what does it really mean to be perfect? That's the title of this episode. What does it really mean to be perfect If you did not receive a notification for an episode last week? Don't worry, you didn't miss anything, it's all on me. But hey, guess what? We're going to catch up, because I got two episodes for you this week. Right, we're going to drop episodes 35 and 36 this week, all in the same week. So I'm making up for last week.
Dr. A:Now, if you've been blessed, uplifted, inspired, motivated. Now, if you've been blessed, uplifted, inspired, motivated, encouraged, transformed by any of these episodes, be sure to subscribe to the podcast faith meets academia. Wherever you listen to podcasts whether it's apple podcasts, spotify or any of the major podcast platforms you'll definitely find this podcast on any of those. So be sure to subscribe. That way, you'll never, ever miss an episode. So click that follow or subscribe button now and be the first to hear every new release. Right, you can also leave a review, leave a comment and let us know how these episodes have been impacting your life.
Dr. A:All right, so let's address this question that so many of us wrestle with. There's been so many debates, discussions about the meaning of perfection. What does it really mean to be perfect? What does that entail? Is it possible? How can we align our notion or our understanding of perfection with the Word of God? Okay, well, let's start here. Let's define perfection from a biblical standpoint. Yeah, let's start there. It's always a good place to start with the Word.
Dr. A:So hear this when the Bible talks about being perfect, it's really not about being flawless or immune from transgressing God's law, or committing a sinful act, or never making mistakes. No, no, no, no, no. I mean. The scripture reminds us in Romans 3:23,. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. If perfection meant being sinless, Jesus wouldn't have needed to die for us, but he did, 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us. For he made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Better yet, if being perfect meant being free from mistakes, free from flaws, free from errors, then why would we even need to pray? Why would we even need to pray? Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Why would we need to pray for forgiveness?
Dr. A:Let's look at Matthew 5: 48. These are the words of Jesus. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven, is perfect. What does perfect mean here? Well, the greek word for perfect and we're going back to the greek, because, because the new testament was originally written in greek, and sometimes, to really understand the meaning of the word not just the translation, but the meaning of the word, not just the translation, but the meaning of the word we have to go back to the original language.
Dr. A:So what does perfect mean, based on the words of Jesus in Matthew 5: 48? So the Greek word for perfect, as used in Matthew 5: 48, is teleos, which means complete or whole, mature, fully grown, having fulfilled or reached one's purpose. So, then, perfection, from a biblical perspective, is the state of being complete, whole, fully mature in God's will and purpose for our lives, god's will and purpose for our lives. It reflects a wholehearted and unwavering commitment to progressing or growing spiritually in alignment with God's will. Well, what's his will? St John 6: 40. And this is the will of him who sent me that everyone who sees the sun and believes in him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. What is his will? Let's look at 2 Peter 3:9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering or patient. In other words, is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. It's not His will for us to perish. It's His will for us to have eternal life with Him through repentance and believing, accepting, committing to the good news, the gospel of the kingdom. God's patience, god's desire for all people is to repent and be saved. His will for humanity is to turn away from sin and embrace eternal life through his son, jesus Christ.
Dr. A:Yes, let's dig a little deeper by taking a look at a well-known story in the Bible. It's the story of the rich, young ruler in St Matthew 19: 16-22. And I'm going to read it from verse 16 all the way through 22. Okay, here goes Now.
Dr. A:Behold, one came and said to him Good teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? So he said to him, why do you call me good? No one is good, but one that is God. But if you want to enter into life, keep. He said to him, which ones? Jesus said you shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. The young man said to him All these things have I kept from my youth. What do I still lack? Jesus said to him If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven and come follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Now here's the thing, my brothers and sisters.
Dr. A:This man thought that perfection meant lacking nothing. He thought he had checked all the boxes for attaining perfection. He had a checklist approach to righteousness attaining perfection. He had a checklist approach to righteousness. And rather than affirming that approach, jesus presents the man with this challenge a commitment test, faith test, if you will, a test of spiritual maturity. Jesus essentially asks are you ready to grow out of your comfort zone? Are you willing to let go of the things you hold most dear to truly follow me? You see, in order for us to really learn from this encounter, let's go beyond the material possessions for a minute. Right, let's go a little deeper. This wasn't just about giving up possessions. On a much deeper level, it was about surrendering control and stepping into a more profound, a more meaningful relationship with God, one that required trust, sacrifice, commitment and total surrender to God's will. That's spiritual maturity. So let me give you this tip Just when you think you have attained the traditional notion of perfection, pray the prayer that David prayed when he said in Psalm 139: 23 and 24, search me, o God, and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
Dr. A:Yes, this story of the rich young ruler invites all of us to examine our own hearts. What are we holding onto that hinders us from fully embracing the life of faith? What is our one thing that we must surrender to grow closer to God? That one thing that's holding you back? That's a question only you can answer. You see, if you find yourself at the point where you think nothing is lacking I've done it all, I know it all In essence, you're really saying that there's nothing left for you to learn or do in order to inherit eternal life, because you know all you need to know and you've done all you need to do, and that's a dangerous place to be in, and here's why that's how you get blindsided by the devil and his wicked devices.
Dr. A:A more practical, realistic, humble path would be to view perfection as Paul viewed it in Philippians 3: 12-15. Paul says, not that I have already attained or am already perfected, but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind and, if in anything In the field of psychology, there are two concepts that I think you will find helpful in psychology, in understanding the opposing forces this rich young ruler was wrestling with when it comes to perfection.
Dr. A:These two concepts Iism and maladaptive perfectionism. Adaptive perfectionism means that we're striving for growth in a balanced and intentional way, and it's rooted in humility, flexibility hence the term adaptive and a willingness to mature, a commitment to mature into the fullness of our purpose, aligning with the biblical understanding of teleos as completeness or wholeness in Christ In the story of the young rich ruler. Completeness or wholeness in Christ In the story of the young rich ruler. This young man seems to have initially showed traits or signs of adaptive perfectionism. I mean, he earnestly wanted to know the criteria for attaining eternal life and he clearly was making some sort of an effort to follow the commandments. So you know, initially his pursuit of righteousness, goodness, reflected a desire for self-improvement and alignment with God's will. But you see, adaptive perfectionism in its fullness would have allowed him to accept Jesus' challenge as an opportunity for deeper spiritual growth. Adaptive perfectionism would have really allowed him to acknowledge his limitations and trust in God's guidance. It would have allowed him to willingly step out of his comfort zone to become more whole and mature in his faith by leaving behind those possessions that were holding him back. So adaptive perfectionism means you're willing to embrace change for long-term growth. It means that you are open to feedback, even if it takes you away from outside of what's comfortable, what you're familiar with. Adaptive perfectionism is focused on internal intrinsic values such as establishing a deeper connection and relationship with God.
Dr. A:Now, maladaptive perfectionism or counterproductive perfectionism is basically an unhealthy obsession with flawlessness. Maladaptive perfectionism is an excessive focus on avoiding failure, it's this fear of making mistakes, it's an all or nothing way of thinking. Hmm, are you in that camp? Well, hopefully not. Well, if you are now you know what you've been experiencing. How will you make that shift, what you've been experiencing? How will you make that shift, how will you make that change from maladaptive to adaptive perfectionism?
Dr. A:So in the story, the young ruler's ultimate response turning away sorrowfully because he couldn't part with his wealth. That response highlights the trap perfectionism. His identity and sense of security were linked, tied to his possessions and external achievements which he couldn't part with to follow Jesus fully. We can say that maladaptive perfectionism, for the most part, most fittingly describes this young man's view of perfection Flawless, lacking nothing, externally motivated rather than internally driven for transformation. And so this mindset prevented him from growing spiritually, because he's unwilling to confront his attachment to perfection, to these possessions, and step into a new way of life, a new walk, a new journey. So we see that maladaptive perfectionism is characterized by inflexibility, fear of failure and external validation, meaning your sense of perfection is tied to material gains and possessions rather than a lasting relationship with God.
Dr. A:Now let's talk a little bit about the paradox or the quandary of perfection. We often tell ourselves I'm not perfect, I make mistakes. Often tell ourselves I'm not perfect, I make mistakes. However, we often find ourselves chasing perfection in other areas of life. Think about it Someone the perfect spouse, the perfect grade, or the perfect job, or the perfect life, right? I remember a student once told me they wouldn't settle for anything less than a perfect 100 on their test. That's the kind of pressure many of us put on ourselves, isn't it? But remember the words of Jesus in St Matthew 5:48, words of Jesus in St Matthew 5:48. Be ye, therefore, perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven, is perfect. Now, why would Jesus ask us to develop a quality that's impossible to achieve?
Dr. A:Let's unpack that by drawing upon a well-known Bible story. It's the story of Job, a man who is described in the first chapter of the book of Job, the very first verse, as perfect Job. The first chapter, the first verse, says there was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. I want you to understand, though, that Job's perfection was not without questions, it was not without fear, it was not without struggle, it was not without concern, and that's what makes his story real and heartfelt.
Dr. A:Job's story is just so heartbreaking, I mean, when you think about all that he lost, all that he had to endure. First he lost all his wealth, which is massive. I mean he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 donkeys, according to Job, chapter 1, verse 3. I mean, this was a pretty wealthy guy. But then, disaster, they raided his property and stole his livestock and his servants. Some were killed and others were captured. And then the unthinkable happened he lost all ten of his children. He had seven sons, three daughters. He lost them all.
Dr. A:And then, as if that wasn't enough, job's health took a devastating turn, which is described in Job 7: 5, where he says my flesh is caked with worms and dust, my skin is cracked and breaks out afresh. You can just picture how excruciating that must have been covered in sores. Just the emotional toll that must have taken. But amidst all of this, he never lost his faith, he never lost hope. In Job 19, 26 and 27, it says After my skin is destroyed this I know that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself and my eyes shall behold and not another how my heart yearns within me. It's incredible, isn't it? Even when his entire world collapsed, like literally, job held on to hope, the hope of eternal salvation, testament to his unshakable faith.
Dr. A:But here's the thing Job's perfection wasn't about having all the answers or never doubting. It was about being honest with God. He kept it real. Take a look at Job 13: 15, where he says though he slay me, yet will I trust him? Even so, I will defend my own ways before him. His transparency, his willingness to question, complain and lament was a movement, growth, progress towards spiritual wholeness or maturity. He had an unquenchable thirst to find his divine purpose in life. This was the essence of Job's perfection. Job's faith wasn't flawless, but it was steadfast. Job's perfection was in his ability to be transparent about his anguish, his concerns, his complaints, his confusion. You can't be perfect if you can't be real. Let me say that again you can't be perfect if you can't be real. To my fellow educators out there, if you want to get a glimpse of what lifelong learning looks like, read the book of Job.
Dr. A:For Job, keeping it real meant that he had some questions he was perfect, but with human questions, make no mistake, though. He questioned and poured out his complaints with integrity. His intent was not to undermine God's sovereignty and God's divine will, but to affirm it. Yes, job had questions about suffering and justice Job 10, verse 2,. I will say to God do not condemn me, show me why you contend with me. Job 9: 22,. It is all one thing. Therefore, I say he destroys the blameless and the wicked.
Dr. A:Job reasoned with God concerning human mortality and existence Job 7: 1 and 2. Is there not a time of hard service for man on earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hired man, like a servant who earnestly desires the shade and like a hired man who eagerly looks for his wages? He had questions about the afterlife Job 14:14. If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service, I will wait till my change comes. Job even had questions about the nature of wisdom Job 28:20-21. From where, then, does wisdom come, and where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.
Dr. A:Job, in his perfection, cursed the day he was born. Yes, job in his perfection, and I'm talking about adaptive perfectionism. He cursed the day he was born Job 3:1-3. After this, job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. And Job spoke and said May the day perish on which I was born and the night in which, it was said, a male child is conceived. Yes, he cursed the day he was born, but, friends, he never once cursed the God who created him. He came to accept and embrace that God, in his infinite wisdom, moves in ways we will never be able to comprehend. So he summed it up like this in Job 1:21. He said naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither. The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Dr. A:As we wrap up today's episode, let's remember that perfection is not about flawlessness or checking all the boxes. It's more about faithfulness, total surrender to God's divine will and purpose for your life, arriving at a state of spiritual maturity, wholeness. Perfection, as Jesus states in Matthew 5:48, is about growing in love, aligning with God's will and becoming whole in Him. From the rich young ruler we learned that perfection requires letting go of anything that keeps us from fully trusting in God. And from Job, we saw that being perfect doesn't mean having all the answers or being without struggles. It's about staying honest with God, keeping it real with Him if you will, and holding on to faith even in the face of immense loss and doubt.
Dr. A:So I'd like for you to take the time to reflect on what perfection looks like in your life. Are you striving for flawlessness or are you leaning into spiritual growth and purpose, being open to adapt, evolve, grow as you continue to walk righteously and humbly with God? Yes, perfection is attainable. If that were not the case, jesus would not have told us to be perfect. It is attainable, but not based on the traditional definition. I pray you'll enjoy this holiday season, taking some time to recognize, honor, spend time with your friends, family and loved ones. In the spirit of St John 20:21, I say peace be unto you.