Something that can bother me is when people with a little bit of knowledge proclaim boldly things of which they know almost nothing about. This can happen often at seminary as students scramble to gain a knowledge of all things spiritual/theological. It is interesting how quickly their positions are swayed with each new class, book, or professor.
I think that the problem is not limited to the seminary campus. It is a disease that has spread like smallpox thanks to the information age. Our access to news, information, research, and knowledge, is unprecedented by any other age of human civilization. And the sad result has been that nothing is sacred any longer. But especially knowledge. The greatest problem with having access to all this information is that we all think we know something.
Not only do we know something but we know many things and are experts. Everyone has a college education. Nice! a piece of paper that proves little more than that you made a significant contribution to the pockets of your professors. I know this is sounding pretty ugly, and if you were able to finish college congratulations! That is something to be proud of. However....
I read a section of John Owen and my heart was greatly encouraged. I recently had a class on the Trinity. The Christian doctrine that God exists eternally in three persons Father, Son, and Spirit. A truth that rightly short circuits our brains and whose depths are unsearchable. The Father and Spirit are spiritual beings so their divinity is not as hotly contested as the Son. The God man Jesus Christ who came and actually lived among us. The dual nature of Christ has been the subject of endless theological debate...some constructive, most absolutely destructive and divisive.
Concerning understanding the dual nature of Christ Owen quotes Ambrose, "I enquire of you when and how the Son was begotten? Impossible it is to me to know the mystery of this generation. My mind faileth, my voice is silent- and not only mine but that of the angels; it is above principalities, above angels, above the cherubim, above the seraphim, above all understanding. Lay thy hand upon they mouth; it is not lawful to search into these heavenly mysteries. It is lawful to know that He was born- it is not lawful to discuss how he was born; that it is not lawful for me to deny- this I am afraid to inquire into. For if Paul when he was taken into the third heaven, affirms that the things which he heard ought not to be uttered; how can we express the mystery of the divine generation, which we can neither apprehend nor hear?"
There it is, like a cool glass of water. Intellectual humility. A sober recognition that there are divine boundaries that human reason is incapable of breaching. Our God lives in unapproachable light. We need a revival of a sincere reverence for the magnificence and mystery with which He clothes Himself. Through the incarnation of Jesus Christ He has chosen to reveal Himself in a way that is accessible even to children. May we be satisfied with what has been revealed and not allow ourselves to be distracted by that which He has purposefully kept hidden until that day when we will see Him as He is!!
"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue."
John Owen 1616-1683
2 comments:
How true! One of my favorites by owen is Sin and Temptation. A hard read. Dad has it on his shelf. Anyway hopefully there are others at dallas who can rise above the intellectual muck to humble wisdom from the Lord as you are showing!
Wow. I miss talking with you, Andy.
Mom
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