Welcome to CF!
*looks up from reading systematic theology textbook* *interrupts personal quest to memorize the entire Bible by writing it down to start* While accumulating Biblical knowledge may be a ticket to getting your brain out of worldly knowledge pursuit mode 2000, it might pay to take a pit stop in the book of Ecclesiastes before you sign up for your online degree in Biblical Studies (and yes, they have those). Repeating "All is vanity and a chasing after wind" a few times when you're tempted to go a worldly knowledge binge might help.
Ecclesiastes 12:11-13 said:
11 The sayings of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings that are given by one shepherd. 12 Of anything beyond these, my child, beware. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments, for that is the whole duty of everyone. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
C.S. Lewis had much to say against spiritual pride, I think it was in the
Screwtape Letters. Knowing more about God doesn't make you better than everyone else. We're all just as saved whether we are a homeless drug addict believer or a seminary professor. Nobody is getting ahead on eternal life. We just need to know the teachings of God and follow them to be a witness to God's transforming power in our lives.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 said:
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 9 For we know in part and prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away with.
All knowledge having to do with this world is trash, because this world is going to pass away and be re-created. We're looking at an outdated creation model meant to punish unbelievers that is controlled by Satan. What is the point about learning about this world when it's going to the flames? To impress unbelievers who are just as destroyed?
And I'm saying this as a person who loves knowledge. This verse was written by the Holy Spirit for my joy:
Colossians 2:2-3 said:
2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
The point of knowledge is love - what will persist is God and our knowledge of Him, and also, partly, our knowledge of each other. The latter knowledge is distorted by sin, but eventually it will be perfect, just like our knowledge of God. The point of learning more is love. We pursue more knowledge of God because we love Him, and in turn, we pursue more knowledge of each other because we love each other.
This is a narrow road charted by the Scriptures through the minefield of knowledge, evading the twin dangers of willful ignorance and pride alike.
