"The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly" (Proverbs 15:14, NIV).
"Only simpletons believe everything they're told" (Prov. 14:15, NLT).
"The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge [feed many]" (Prov. 15:7, HCSB).
"...[U]ntil the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Pet. 1:19, NIV).
"...If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn" (Isa. 8:20, NIV).
"[W]ho carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers" (Isa. 44:26, NIV).
"A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still." --old saying that rings true biblically
The Christian ought to be humble regarding what he knows for sure and can't be dogmatic about and what is a matter of opinion. There will come the time when we beg to differ! As Protestants, we must utter: "I disagree, I dissent, I protest." Augustine's dictum applies here: "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity." Paul also warned (cf. 1 Cor. 8:2, NIV) that "the man who thinks he knows something doesn't yet know as he ought to know." Socrates said that we cannot learn until we admit our ignorance; we must admit we could be wrong! Plato taught that all knowledge begins in faith and the Bible teaches it commences with the fear of the Lord (cf. Prov. 1:7). While Bacon said, "Knowledge is power" (cf. Prov. 24:5) love is the goal in the application.
When we disagree with believers, it ought to be in a humble attitude, not condescending or disdainful. The problem with most people is that what they know "ain't so!" People are so filled with misinformation, propaganda, disinformation, and lies from Satan, even heresies and false doctrines of demons, that they don't recognize the truth when it strikes a note. The truth should resonate and strike a chord that vibrates in the soul, hitting home where it counts!
Most people have opinions, and opinions are what you hold, but convictions hold you! Most people twist the facts to fit their theories and only believe what they agree with already! Most people don't hold any cherished beliefs they would kill or even die for if necessary--they're just opinions. And most people have their minds made up and don't want to be confused with the facts! Most people talk because they have to say something, while the wise talk because they have something to say; viva la difference! We must have several attitudes to be teachable: a willing spirit, an obedient and needy heart, and an open mind (we must not be looking for a fight or something to disagree or take issue with).
We need to be thirsty for the truth if we are to achieve it, and no one has a monopoly on the truth no matter how gifted they are--they're only part of the puzzle or picture (IT'S A BIG STORY AND WE'RE ONLY PART OF IT!) and the whole body needs and works together. But the strengths of one person are complemented by those of others and there is a coordinated search for truth, not the blind leading the blind. It is vital that we realize that all teachers are human and must not pontificate like the Pope or believe he has the right to speak ex-cathedra or from the chair (i.e., of St. Peter in Rome).
We all must admit that we are to edify and teach each other and use our gifts to build up the body accordingly. I know of several Christian authors that I disagree with on certain items or doctrines, but that doesn't keep me from reading them, for they are scholars in their own right and know what they are talking about. There is always an ear to hear or heed a person with a message (written or oral).
We have reached a level of maturity when we can distinguish our beliefs and our ignorance (know what you know and what you don't!), and be able to read writings of those we find occasion to disagree with but are still challenging or edifying; don't just read those we are inclined to agree with perfectly! No one should feel he has to agree with everything some writer or teacher puts out, but God will bless the search for the truth. It's a no-brainer that we shouldn't seek out teachers who say just what we want to say with itching ears.
Don't believe everything you hear or read, but search the Scriptures if there's question or doubt. Even Socrates had to awaken from his dogmatic slumber to start learning. But one thing is certain: God will work through the body and we ought to take heed to what the Spirit reveals to it through gifted individuals, for God can speak through a child! All in all, we must never claim to know all the answers but to be part of the answer or solution, not part of the problem.
NB: The whole church was wrong about the sun revolving around the earth and Galileo was put under house arrest during the Catholic Inquisition. Also, the Reformation itself was proof that the established church can be in error.
CAVEAT: ONE SHOULD BEWARE LEST HE BECOMES A KNOW-IT-ALL AND PUT MORE WEIGHT ON HIS SUBJECTIVE VALUE JUDGMENT THAN WHAT IS DUE; WE MUST KNOW OUR LIMITS OR DOMAIN AND AREA OF ENLIGHTENMENT, EXPERTISE, AND GIFTING. In closing, G. K. Chesterton said, quite tongue in cheek, "We have found all the questions, now let's find the answers." Soli Deo Gloria!
"Only simpletons believe everything they're told" (Prov. 14:15, NLT).
"The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge [feed many]" (Prov. 15:7, HCSB).
"...[U]ntil the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Pet. 1:19, NIV).
"...If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn" (Isa. 8:20, NIV).
"[W]ho carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers" (Isa. 44:26, NIV).
"A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still." --old saying that rings true biblically
The Christian ought to be humble regarding what he knows for sure and can't be dogmatic about and what is a matter of opinion. There will come the time when we beg to differ! As Protestants, we must utter: "I disagree, I dissent, I protest." Augustine's dictum applies here: "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity." Paul also warned (cf. 1 Cor. 8:2, NIV) that "the man who thinks he knows something doesn't yet know as he ought to know." Socrates said that we cannot learn until we admit our ignorance; we must admit we could be wrong! Plato taught that all knowledge begins in faith and the Bible teaches it commences with the fear of the Lord (cf. Prov. 1:7). While Bacon said, "Knowledge is power" (cf. Prov. 24:5) love is the goal in the application.
When we disagree with believers, it ought to be in a humble attitude, not condescending or disdainful. The problem with most people is that what they know "ain't so!" People are so filled with misinformation, propaganda, disinformation, and lies from Satan, even heresies and false doctrines of demons, that they don't recognize the truth when it strikes a note. The truth should resonate and strike a chord that vibrates in the soul, hitting home where it counts!
Most people have opinions, and opinions are what you hold, but convictions hold you! Most people twist the facts to fit their theories and only believe what they agree with already! Most people don't hold any cherished beliefs they would kill or even die for if necessary--they're just opinions. And most people have their minds made up and don't want to be confused with the facts! Most people talk because they have to say something, while the wise talk because they have something to say; viva la difference! We must have several attitudes to be teachable: a willing spirit, an obedient and needy heart, and an open mind (we must not be looking for a fight or something to disagree or take issue with).
We need to be thirsty for the truth if we are to achieve it, and no one has a monopoly on the truth no matter how gifted they are--they're only part of the puzzle or picture (IT'S A BIG STORY AND WE'RE ONLY PART OF IT!) and the whole body needs and works together. But the strengths of one person are complemented by those of others and there is a coordinated search for truth, not the blind leading the blind. It is vital that we realize that all teachers are human and must not pontificate like the Pope or believe he has the right to speak ex-cathedra or from the chair (i.e., of St. Peter in Rome).
We all must admit that we are to edify and teach each other and use our gifts to build up the body accordingly. I know of several Christian authors that I disagree with on certain items or doctrines, but that doesn't keep me from reading them, for they are scholars in their own right and know what they are talking about. There is always an ear to hear or heed a person with a message (written or oral).
We have reached a level of maturity when we can distinguish our beliefs and our ignorance (know what you know and what you don't!), and be able to read writings of those we find occasion to disagree with but are still challenging or edifying; don't just read those we are inclined to agree with perfectly! No one should feel he has to agree with everything some writer or teacher puts out, but God will bless the search for the truth. It's a no-brainer that we shouldn't seek out teachers who say just what we want to say with itching ears.
Don't believe everything you hear or read, but search the Scriptures if there's question or doubt. Even Socrates had to awaken from his dogmatic slumber to start learning. But one thing is certain: God will work through the body and we ought to take heed to what the Spirit reveals to it through gifted individuals, for God can speak through a child! All in all, we must never claim to know all the answers but to be part of the answer or solution, not part of the problem.
NB: The whole church was wrong about the sun revolving around the earth and Galileo was put under house arrest during the Catholic Inquisition. Also, the Reformation itself was proof that the established church can be in error.
CAVEAT: ONE SHOULD BEWARE LEST HE BECOMES A KNOW-IT-ALL AND PUT MORE WEIGHT ON HIS SUBJECTIVE VALUE JUDGMENT THAN WHAT IS DUE; WE MUST KNOW OUR LIMITS OR DOMAIN AND AREA OF ENLIGHTENMENT, EXPERTISE, AND GIFTING. In closing, G. K. Chesterton said, quite tongue in cheek, "We have found all the questions, now let's find the answers." Soli Deo Gloria!
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