Today, topics include carnal reason, intellect, and sacred versus secular knowledge. Salvation is granted by GOD on the basis of our great need, not our “great knowing.” Many Christian believers scorn formal education, organizational structure, and discipline within the church believing that the new life in Christ must come by honest sentiment and the depth of ones feelings. These are no different than the theologians who have knowledge about the church, yet, make no commitment, or display spirit content as genuine believers. Many abstract thinkers have knowledge, even so they are not productive as ministers and those interceding for others. Sin may dominate awareness and self-will in the living. Thus, among mankind, knowledge can vary in its meaning, usefulness, and value in accordance with such factors as its source, the intent and purpose it fulfills as well as its temporal duration (how long it remains accurate) as truth. A standard for “right knowledge” is seen in the early commandment of GOD: Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth. Only by the operations of GOD who is spirit can created beings and living creatures have a continuing and correct consciousness of divinity. GOD is made knowable, known, and “visible” by unchanging divine law, prophecy, and sacred revelation that interact with deposits of inseparable spirit substances from the makeup of Deity. Included are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. As the children and offspring of GOD, born-again believers are heirs of GOD through Jesus Christ who are granted special knowledge through intimate relationship as adopted sons and daughters of GOD. With this in view, it should be clear that rebirth and sacred operations are available to all sinners, to those who are humble, and to those who are simple despite their having limited academic education. One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers (New Zealand)” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:
Will I go to hell for being too smart?
The bible says in a number of places that God shames the wise and exalts the foolish. Meaning God will bring shame to all the proud intellectuals, but he will bring honor to the humble. All those "crazy" religious people you see shouting hallelujah will be the ones in heaven, all those arrogant scientists & non-Christian philosophers will be the ones in hell. The 'foolish' recognize their dependency on God, whereas the 'wise' are focused on their own minds and the material world, not God. The foolish are innocent like children, the way Jesus said we must be to enter heaven. The wise are morally corrupt because they think they're their own gods so they willfully craft their own false moral code that violates God's law. Of course, these are sarcastic terms, not literal.
My problem is that I'm into philosophy, science, history & high concepts & I draw my understanding of God from an intellectual standpoint, it's not emotional & it doesn't feel like a genuine relationship. I understand that God is not impressed by my intellectualism, so there's no way I can be arrogant about it. However, I become fascinated by my own mind & often forget to give God credit. And focusing always on the mind seems to take away from the spirit, so I don't feel a true connection to God.
How can I balance the logic of biblical theology & apologetics into an actual relationship to God? Is mysticism involved at all, or is it all pagan?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29: 29,King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Operations of Christian Faith (04/28/2017); Becoming A Full Person (02/12/2017); Abstractions, Atheism and I.Q. (08/18/2016); A Learned Council of Elders? (05/10/2016); The Cross and Critical Thinking? (04/13/2016); To Study the Book of Judges (09/09/2015); Able to Become Gods? (01/11/2014); Why Christians Pray for Others (01/12/2014)
“Anonymous”, it is not a sin to be industrious and to work hard to achieve our life goals. Yet, for many, good grades and excellence are the product of competitiveness, false assumptions regarding the nature and process of life, imbalance, insecurity, isolation, exaggerated pride, over-achievement, and self-importance. In such instances, the label may be used that identifies scholars and thinkers as those who are “too smart for their own good” and “educated fools.” Failure to comprehend the basic facts pertaining to life and godliness “goes on your permanent record”, so to speak, and will affect your performance in every arena.
The achievement of maturity as a Christian believer requires a profound shift in ones mindset and approach to true knowledge. GOD is a spirit, and a sinner must become transformed to continually respond to this truth. One must master using discernment to correctly recognize and respond to spirit substance from the makeup of GOD that resides within events, oneself, other persons, prophecy, teachings, the Bible, etc.
Finite human tools such as carnal reason, logic, mathematics, science, and “critical thinking” are inadequate for processing sacred knowledge, the subtleties when applying divine law, and the simple yet profound truths of salvation that affirm oneness without sameness among the persons of GOD. As a result, human intelligence can not be used to eradicate sin; and many of our brightest Ph.D. candidates and doctoral degree holders have been and will continue to be misled. Consider the following points of instruction that use language from the holy writings:
(1.) Matthew 16: 26, King James Version (KJV): 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
(2.) Jeremiah 9: 23-24, KJV: 23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
(3.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) 2nd Peter 1: 2-11, KJV: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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