6/20/12- Wisdom and Faith

²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. They may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. (Col. 1:15; 2:4)

(Graduation from Union Theological Seminary VA)


Thoughts: The Colossians were influenced by Greek philosophy and a kind of proto-Gnosticism (a belief in salvation by secret knowledge).  It is always hard if not impossible for the Christian faith to separate itself from the philosophy and cultural thinking around it.  In our day, we face an interesting mixture of Enlightenment skepticism (that leads to the dreary skepticism of Hume and meaningless nihilism of Nietzsche) and the postmodern idea of "it doesn't really matter" what you believe.  Fine-sounding arguments can be made against the faith.  After all, in this life we see through a mirror dimly.  If it were perfectly clear, then faith in God would not be faith.  Faith makes sense, and makes sense of life.  Yet at some point as Kierkegaard said, we must take a leap of faith.  Faith always involves an element of risk and mystery.  Too many philosophers act as if they know all the elements of the equation, when knowledge always is limited.  In reality, every philosophy also has to live with an element of mystery and belief in its own system.
    Paul was saying that we should use human wisdom in our teaching to help people to grow into maturity.  But all true wisdom and the treasures of all knowledge are ultimately found in Christ the Creator of all- and the giver of our minds.
    I used to believe we could argue someone into the kingdom of Christ.  But very few are drawn to Christ by argument.  There reaches a point where we have to see that we are not the judge of God, but we need to submit to His love.  Arguments about the existence of God, the purpose/design of life, the miracles or lists of answered prayers all fall short to those who do not want to believe.  But when the thirst for ultimate reality- the thirst for God and His love and mercy in Christ overwhelm the thirst for knowledge- then faith is found.  In the end we must not only humble our souls before Christ- the giver of our souls.  We also must humble our minds before Christ- the giver of our minds.  All wisdom and knowledge- are found in the one who give "peace of mind."  


Prayer: Help me, Lord, to submit my thinking to you. Give me grace to use my mind to the best of its ability to honor and glorify you.