Jim Eisele wrote:
> I would like to make a general comment or two. This seems to
> be a very
> "scholarly" list.
>
> This seems to be diametrically opposed to the approach that
> Christ took.
I would totally disagree with this. The very fact that Christ taught, not
only his close disciples but crowds of peoples, indicates Jesus Christ was
indeed very scholarly. His words and actions and even the "fights he picked"
with the Pharisees indicate that he knew the Old Testament very well, and
understood its actual "heart meaning" as well as its "intellectual meaning."
Some may just say, well Jesus was God so was born with the OT memorized. But
being 100% human it seems to me he learned it, understood it, then taught it
as it actually was, as opposed to the humanistic law being passed down by
the Jewish leaders of the day.
So in response to your saying, "Why not "pulverize" people with "wondrous"
arguments"." I would say he definitely did!! He gave arguments in the form
of parables, and did so in order to not "Feed pearls to pigs". In other
words, those pearls were revealed only to those with open hearts that truly
loved God enough to understand. "Pigs" (I'm understanding as proud religious
people who tend toward legalism and narcissism -- and I must say I see some
of that on this list with all the arguing!!!)
>
> Early in his ministry, Christ told people to "keep the word
> about himself
> quiet." Why would he do this?
Because he knew they were plotting to kill him and knew God's will was to
spread the word first among the Jews and later to the world.
> arguments". The apostle Paul preached not by persuasiveness
> of speech.
> 1Cor 2:4 "and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words
> of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."
> There are
> probably better verses to illustrate my point, but this will
> have to do.
Actually his LETTERS were indeed very powerful and persuasive (as anyone
whose read the Epistles can certainly agree) but his manner in person was
humble and lowly. He came across in person with the power of the Spirit
(which indeed must have been powerful but because of the recorded account I
must also think he appeared humble and kind). Who can read the Corinthians
letter about the power of love and not agree to its powerful
persuasiveness?!!
> How long does it take for scholasticism to become pride? Most of us
> have heard the scripture "knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up."
Well this is definitely true. But it doesn't ALWAYS. Jesus was the Word made
flesh, and Word is logos which is basically logic and rationality right?! He
was knowledge embodied. But through the power of God's spirit he was able to
keep his all-knowing human self from becoming prideful -- and that is one of
the things that differentiates him from all the religious leaders of his day
and beyond. Knowledge CAN puff up and will always have that tendency.
But I can't imagine for any flicker of a moment that God wanted us to remain
ignorant. For it is ignorance that has led to horrible things throughout
history: the Inquisition, the Crusades, the Salem Witch Trials, suicide
bombers of today. God made humans with a more highly advanced brain than any
other creature BY FAR. It would be ludicrous to think that the brain and
intellect and ability to reason -- the very thing that makes us human on a
"natural" level (besides from out spirit, which certainly also
differentiates us) -- would be something God wants us to not use!
My best,
Wendee
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Wendee Holtcamp -- wendee@greendzn.com
Environmental Journalist ~~ www.greendzn.com
Adjunct Instructor of Biology, Kingwood College
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