It is time to make a subtle yet significant change for this blog. The title of this post is a reminder of what my soul is impassioned by. Following much prayer and feedback from readers, I am realizing the natural writing style grown since childhood. Instead of treatise and essay like posts, the delivery will be more akin to prose, narrative and letters. After all, a story and/or message that is from the heart, though seeks the true, good, and beautiful, is more welcoming to the mind than academic dissertation.
Truly, I am neither an intellectual nor an academic. The final steps were never made to take up such a way of life. By the word of a number of my teachers and professors, the door was around the corner. Still, I desired it not. In fact, as time passed the realm of formal learners is quite unattractive. Yes, I do enjoy the old great books of the humanities – history, theology, philosophy, classic literature etc. Secondarily, a general knowledge of various fields, including mathematics and science, but the vast majority of academia is too concerned with mortal wisdom, people secular as well as Christian.
The professional non-believing world is over all a front of excellency for vain efforts of research and education. It is propped up opinions made by proud people, who believe that critique and ‘popular opinion’ is the basis of learning. “Truth is knowledge for knowledge sake,” which is something of shared thought. Of course, when asked what is truth, the matching response is along the lines of “What people believe/want.” Strange, how individuals such as myself are mocked for believing in God, especially the resurrected Christ. This kind of thinking is sown down into kindergarten classes. I digress. More on this in due time.
In Christian circles of thought, along with more rigorously academic secular/pagan institutions, actual knowledge of writers/thinkers is digested not just commented on in irrelevant fashion. Now, the trap is when the former imitates the latter in the prime valuing of human wisdom over the ultimate wisdom of God. A mix of the works of ‘Athens and Jerusalem’ did create the marvel of Western civilization. Most do not forget this heritage is wrought with sin and ignorance, just like our present. It is the will of the King of Jews and Gentiles that is the way to truth so we may live. Aye, an invitation for an existence to be as Christ, fearing only God, on our way to His heavenly kingdom.
Thus I do hope and pray that I embrace how the Lord guides me to share in word. May there be a degree of eloquence but simplicity. Also like the Gospel, not relevant to mere human understanding but edifying to the soul. What is it worth to gain all the knowledge of Western civilization (& beyond) but still lose our souls in our ignorance of knowing God amid our prosperity? The prophet Isaiah spoke of Christ:
“But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and His delight shall be the fear of the Lord. Not by appearance shall He judge, nor by hearsay shall He decide, But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright from the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around His waist, and faithfulness a belt upon His hips. . . . There shall be no harm on ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea.”
Isaiah 11: 1-5; 9
Until the reign of Christ the King over us proud ignorant people of the world, I am to become more a herald of His Gospel in word and life. May I remain broken in will, for like John the Baptist I am too unworthy to even loosen the sandals of His feet. Be blessed, my dear readers. Learn, grow, and create as God commands in His holy word.
Knowledge & the Holy 