Words Without Knowledge 3-9-08
Warren Buffett is quoted as saying that Wall Street is the only place that people drive to in a Rolls Royce to take advice from people who rode the subway. Much of our existence is like this; for example the following terms exist because of this phenomenon: armchair general, Monday-morning quarterback, and back-seat driver. Mankind almost seems hard-wired to speak from ignorance and to champion mediocrity.
Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:1-2 NIV)
I recently had a talk with a co-worker about religion and politics; this happens from time to time with certain other co-workers, but this co-worker is a far-left socialist (I am very conservative) and is an atheist (I am a Christian). We were able to talk peaceably because we were open about our beliefs and respected that we each were entitled to our beliefs. The first thing that I noticed was that this co-worker was only concerned with pointing out flaws, trying to demonstrate how the Bible was inconsistent. The second thing that I noticed was that he was judging the Bible by standards and ethics of man (namely, himself). The third thing that I noticed was that he could not accept the truth as laid out in God’s word; the very concept of God as the absolute authority was so alien to him that he rejected outright any argument based on that authority.
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8 NIV)
Socrates is credited with saying “all that I know is that I know nothing.” New Christians often demonstrate the opposite of this, showing their ignorance of their own ignorance. They often see the Bible as a reference guide with quick and easy answers. Rarely is a look at the context of a particular verse given its due consideration, nor is the Bible as a whole taken into account. This stems from an emotional understanding of the scriptures, meaning that the new Christian may understand a particular verse in light of how they feel about a particular issue instead of changing how they feel about an issue through understanding what God has revealed through the scriptures. New Christians also tend to have an impatience with gradually developing dignity and respect through years of training, learning, and discipline. They instead tend to want to jump in and lead the way, often retarding their own spiritual growth and making themselves more susceptible to falling away.
Grown, mature Christians also need to be watching out for the hubris that brings contempt and complacency. How many of our mature members have become ossified in their understanding of the scriptures, not able to apply the unchanging Word of God to the changing world around us. Many congregations have become marginal footnotes in their communities, effecting no positive change in the penetration of the Gospel into the lives of their neighborhoods. They also often demonstrate an inability to properly balance forbearance and discipline, not taking firm action against readily apparent wrong-doings. Yes we should all be patient with the faltering steps of those Christians who are less mature; but we cannot allow a recalcitrant person to cause strife and discord with impunity. All discipline should be done as gently as possible, but nevertheless it should be done. Some mature Christians have also show a tendency to become spiritually lukewarm, caring only for their own comfort zone and becoming a brake on growth and enthusiasm in general. Remember that Laodicea was noted for being lukewarm.
All three have something in common: they are a source of both problems and opportunities for the church. Unbelievers can be shown the power and glory of Jesus working in our lives; new converts can be an inspiration to the other members of the congregation, or they can be a source of dissension and rebellion. Grown Christians can provide invaluable advice and guidance to the newer members, or they can cause them to become disenchanted with the church. The difference between the good and the bad examples above is that the good examples are filled with wisdom and humility, whereas the bad examples are filled with arrogance and ignorance. Let us be the former, not the latter.