Wisdom?

[WAB]

WISDOM ?

Acts 17:16-21.... “Now while Paul waited for them (Silas and Timothy) at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, ‘What does this babbler want to say?’ Others said, ‘He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,’ because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.’ For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.”

PHILOSOPHERS..... The word “philosopher” is derived from two Greek words..... philos: fond....or dear friend, and sophos: wise, clever.

So, the philosopher is one who is fond of wise or clever things. This might at first glance seem a good thing; after all, do not universities around the world teach philosophy? And are not some of the most prestigious doctorates named such? But listen to the definition of two words that are derived from the above...... “sophistry”....(the practice of many who are “sophisticated”), is: subtly deceptive reasoning or argumentation. To “sophisticate” is: to alter deceptively, adulterate, to deprive of genuineness, naturalness, or simplicity; to make complicated or complex. (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary).

Let’s compare that with what Paul, a very learned man, said in a couple of places.
2 Corinthians 1:12.... “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation (or manner of living) in the world, and more abundantly towards you.”
Now we turn to 2 Corinthians 11:3.... “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

The word “simplicity” is wonderful..... it is from the Greek haplot’es, which means: singleness, without dissimulation (to hide under a false appearance) and without self-seeking. It comes from the root word haplous’, which means.... folded together. We have, if we are “in Christ”, been “folded together” with Him!

Imagine an omelette with several savory items “folded” into the whole.... it is one omelette, yet each added ingredient retains it’s distinctive “flavor”, and the whole thing is enriched by every “ingredient”. Of course every human analogy falls short of the real thing, but it does make a simple illustration. (enlarge your thinking in the sense that God does not make robots of His children).

EPICUREANS....

Epicurus (341-270 B.C.) Established a school in ancient Athens which became famous for its teachings on ethics in the Hellenistic world. Reality was understood to be composed of indivisible, qualitatively similar atoms of matter eternally “falling” in empty space. To account for human agency in a mechanistically material universe Epicurus posited an unexplainable swerve in the travel of some atoms that caused them to strike other atoms unpredictably. This, in turn, caused a chain reaction which resulted in the physical world we know inhabited by human agents. Sound somewhat similar to what present day evolutionists peddle?

STOICS.......

Stoicism was a major school of Hellenistic thought. The Stoics derived their name from the Painted Porch (stoa) in Athens where their founder (Zeno of Citium 335-263 B.C.) taught. In Paul’s day the Stoic philosophy of thought was divided into logic, physics and ethics, logic being the framework supporting the other two branches. Stoic physics included theology, which was monistic (doctrine that there is only one ultimate substance, whether mind, matter, or some third “thing” that is the basis for both), or pantheistic (god is everything and everything is god)), which led to a fatalistic attitude toward life. Stoic ethics concluded that man becomes virtuous through knowledge, which enables him to live in harmony with nature and thereby achieve a profound sense of happiness and freedom from emotion which insulates him from the vicissitudes (or problems) of life.

Unfortunately, this philosophy led to an acceptance of the idea that if the reality of life overcame their belief system, or penetrated that insulation, suicide was an acceptable or even the preferable alternative. Also, they were materialistic, fatalistic, and believed in total divine immanence (having existence or effect only within the mind or consciousness) much as many new agers do today.
(Much of the above is from the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology).

For God’s estimate of worldly wisdom, let’s look at 1 Corinthians 3:18-20...... “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness;’ and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’” As Brooks Alexander , of Spiritual Counterfeits Project once said: “In view of the gap between God’s Omniscience and human understanding, the difference between genius and stupidity is trivial.”

And now lets take a look at Paul’s assessment of his abilities prior to salvation. Philippians 3:3-9....... “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so; circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ.....”

Back to 1 Corinthians, and we will look at Paul’s job description... (4:1).... “ Let a man so consider us...” (and here Paul is referring to himself and Apollos and Cephas (or Peter) in vs.22 of the previous chapter), so... “Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (NKJV) The word “servants” here is the Greek huperet’es, and means: under rower. In the Roman military, when they fought naval battles, they used combination vessels that utilized both sail and oars, or sweeps. The reference here is to what were known as bi-remes or tri-remes, meaning that there were two or three layers or decks of rowers (who were slaves) that were chained to their rowing positions. Those on the bottom layer (under rowers) were the recipients of all that fell from above. You can use your imagination as to what that entailed. The King James Version uses the English “ministers” instead of “servants”, but the Greek is the same.

In 1 Corinthians 3:5, the English word “ministers” is used, but is an entirely different Greek word.... diakonos.... which means: to run (on errands), attendant. This has been transliterated into the English “deacons” and has taken on the aura of “an authority” in many churches.

Now back to Acts 17 where we started in the first paragraph..... verses 19,20....
“And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.’”

Areopagus was also known as Mars Hill, and was the highest Court in Athens. The word “took” is literally “seized” and tells us that Paul had no option.

Verses 21-24.... “For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an alter with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you;’”

When Paul was preaching to the Jews, he always made the assumption that his hearers knew the Laws of Moses and what the Prophets had written. Here in Athens, he knew that these Gentiles had no such knowledge, and so used what has become known as an “redemptive analogy.”

Years ago we heard a classic example of “redemptive analogies” from Don Richardson while in New Zealand. Don and his wife Carol had gone to the jungles of Irian Jaya, and were ministering to the Sawi tribe. The Sawi were isolated and had developed a culture where treachery was the highest attribute. They would work to gain the trust of some other tribal member only to betray that trust, then kill and eat the unwitting individual. When told the account of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, they considered Judas to be the hero of the story. There is not enough room here to tell the whole story, but if you can get a copy of the video "The Peace Child" it would be worth it.

Back to Acts 17 verse 24-30.... “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”

In these verses we find several interesting truths. First, is that we find the Deity of Jesus Christ plainly taught. The Maker of the world and everything in it is declared to be the Lord Jesus Christ in the gospel of John 1:1-18; and very clearly in Colossians 1:16,17.... “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist (or cohere). And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”

Another thing is that Paul really took to heart the message of Stephen, found in Acts 7 verses 2-53, which Paul heard prior to his own salvation experience. It would be worth your time to read that account.

A further truth is that God “...has made from one blood every nation (or tribe) of men to dwell on all the face of the earth...” (verse 26). There is only one race... Adams race.

And, the wonderful truth that salvation is available to every human being. The “they” of verse 27 who are to “...seek the Lord...”, and “...grope for Him and find Him...” are the same “all men” who are commanded to repent in verse 30.

God (through Paul) warns us in Colossians 2:8-10.... “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy (sound familiar?) and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power.”

We would lose a gem of truth if we did not consider what James wrote in his short letter.

Chapter 2, verses 13-19.... “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can (that kind of) faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. (Good for you!) Even the demons believe— and tremble!”

We will conclude this brief study on the critical difference between the wisdom of this world and biblical, or spiritual, wisdom by repeating verses 29-31 of the same 17th chapter of Acts..... “Therefore, since we are the offspring of God (as even the Greek poet or philosopher Aratus said), we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

Only Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. None of the founders of the world’s major religions are alive today. They are all in their graves. Only Jesus Christ is alive, and this fact brings wonderful assurance to those who have put their trust in Christ Jesus our Lord for their salvation.

Real wisdom leads one to reject anything, or anyone, that is not true. Jesus said.....
“I am the way, the truth and the life...no one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6).


AMEN!

Writen by: W.A.B.

 

[Gracchus]

Only Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.

So what was Lazarus, chopped liver? How about Tammuz? He pulled that off even before Jesus.

None of the founders of the world’s major religions are alive today. They are all in their graves. Only Jesus Christ is alive, and this fact brings wonderful assurance to those who have put their trust in Christ Jesus our Lord for their salvation.

Where's he living? Has he got a phone number, e-mail address, or website? Can you post a photo? Who does he hang out with?

 

[WAB]

So what was Lazarus, chopped liver? How about Tammuz? He pulled that off even before Jesus.



Where's he living? Has he got a phone number, e-mail address, or website? Can you post a photo? Who does he hang out with?

Of course Jesus called Lazarus forth. He had no choice. And Tammuz? What makes you think a Phoenician god is alive?

 

[Eudaimonist]

PHILOSOPHERS..... The word “philosopher” is derived from two Greek words..... philos: fond....or dear friend, and sophos: wise, clever.

So, the philosopher is one who is fond of wise or clever things. This might at first glance seem a good thing; after all, do not universities around the world teach philosophy? And are not some of the most prestigious doctorates named such? But listen to the definition of two words that are derived from the above...... “sophistry”....(the practice of many who are “sophisticated”), is: subtly deceptive reasoning or argumentation. To “sophisticate” is: to alter deceptively, adulterate, to deprive of genuineness, naturalness, or simplicity; to make complicated or complex. (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary).

What a great way to poison the well. Cleverly done too.

 

[WAB]

Of course Jesus called Lazarus forth. He had no choice. And Tammuz? What makes you think a Phoenician god is alive?

In addition, Lazarus is now dead. Jesus is alive and was seen by over 500 witnessses! Even in our corrupt courts, 500 eye-witnesses would pretty well convict or exonorate.

 

[TeddyKGB]

In addition, Lazarus is now dead. Jesus is alive and was seen by over 500 witnessses! Even in our corrupt courts, 500 eye-witnesses would pretty well convict or exonorate.

That is true, but you would have to produce those 500 eyewitnesses. Simply saying "there are 500 eyewitnesses that testify to this event" is garden-variety hearsay.

 

[Gracchus]

Of course Jesus called Lazarus forth. He had no choice.

So you don't believe in free will!

And Tammuz? What makes you think a Phoenician god is alive?

Possibly the same thing that makes you believe Jesus is alive? 500 dead witnesses? Just produce Jesus, that should be simple. If he loves you he would do that for you.

 

[WAB]

That is true, but you would have to produce those 500 eyewitnesses. Simply saying "there are 500 eyewitnesses that testify to this event" is garden-variety hearsay.

Very well.... 1 Corinthians 15:3-8... "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (i.e. prophecies of the O.T.), and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (see Psalm 22:15), and that He was seen by Cephas (Peter), then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep (died)."

Obviously, either you have not read this account, or... you consider the Scriptures to be "garden-variety hearsay".

 

[WAB]

So you don't believe in free will!



Possibly the same thing that makes you believe Jesus is alive? 500 dead witnesses? Just produce Jesus, that should be simple. If he loves you he would do that for you.

It was a tad too late for Lazarus to exercise free will! But yes, I certainly do believe in free will prior to the last breath.

As to the five hundred witnesses, view the response to another skeptic posted here. I certainly believe the Scriptures to be the very WORD OF GOD.

 

[TeddyKGB]

Very well.... 1 Corinthians 15:3-8... "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (i.e. prophecies of the O.T.), and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (see Psalm 22:15), and that He was seen by Cephas (Peter), then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep (died)."

Obviously, either you have not read this account, or... you consider the Scriptures to be "garden-variety hearsay".

Not necessarily. There probably was a messiah-claimant named Jesus who may have been seen by 500 people. I do not believe, however, that he did any miracles.

 

[Gracchus]

As to the five hundred witnesses, view the response to another skeptic posted here. I certainly believe the Scriptures to be the very WORD OF GOD.

So your credibility has taken a hit too.

 

[TeddyKGB]

I certainly believe the Scriptures to be the very WORD OF GOD.

I have heard this called bibliolatry. Isn't that something you want to avoid?

 

[WAB]

Not necessarily. There probably was a messiah-claimant named Jesus who may have been seen by 500 people. I do not believe, however, that he did any miracles.

Again, the 500 witnesses saw Him AFTER He rose from the dead. Please read the account in 1 Cor.15 again. Resurrection from the dead does not qualify as a miracle?

 

[TeddyKGB]

Again, the 500 witnesses saw Him AFTER He rose from the dead. Please read the account in 1 Cor.15 again. Resurrection from the dead does not qualify as a miracle?

As I said, I do not believe the supernatural elements of the story. Jesus may have been seen by 500 people, but it did not happen after he rose from the dead.

 

[WAB]

Not necessarily. There probably was a messiah-claimant named Jesus who may have been seen by 500 people. I do not believe, however, that he did any miracles.

Just a short post script thought... having noticed your avatar... to gamble on whether Jesus was (or was not) who He so clearly declared Himself to be.... and who the Scriptures so clearly declare Him to be; God manifest in the flesh, might not be the cleverest approach. It brings to mind a bumper sticker we heard of:
IF YOU THINK THERE IS NO GOD... YOU'D BETTER BE RIGHT!

 

[TeddyKGB]

Just a short post script thought... having noticed your avatar... to gamble on whether Jesus was (or was not) who He so clearly declared Himself to be.... and who the Scriptures so clearly declare Him to be; God manifest in the flesh, might not be the cleverest approach. It brings to mind a bumper sticker we heard of:
IF YOU THINK THERE IS NO GOD... YOU'D BETTER BE RIGHT!

Do you think Jesus would approve of eternal threats being used as evangelical tools?

 

[Gracchus]

IF YOU THINK THERE IS NO GOD... YOU'D BETTER BE RIGHT!

If you think God viciously comdemned everyone for the sins of one man, and then had to have himself tortured and killed before he could forgive...YOU'D BETTER HOPE YOU'RE WRONG!

 

[FreezBee]

PHILOSOPHERS..... The word “philosopher” is derived from two Greek words..... philos: fond....or dear friend, and sophos: wise, clever.

Plato used the word "philosopher" to describe a person who did not rely on his outward senses, but who knew the reality behind the ever changing world of phenomena.

The unwise thinks that anything that he has not himself seen before is something new, a new political loudmouth is really telling something that has never been heard before.

The wise knows that God is unchanging, and therefore the wise does not let himself be influenced by the talk of the town, a new kid in town, or anything else, that is just here today and gone tomorrow.

You might want to meditate over these words from Matthew 7:

1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

6"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Well, just some well-meant words from one Christian to another


- FreezBee

 

[WAB]

Plato used the word "philosopher" to describe a person who did not rely on his outward senses, but who knew the reality behind the ever changing world of phenomena.

The unwise thinks that anything that he has not himself seen before is something new, a new political loudmouth is really telling something that has never been heard before.

The wise knows that God is unchanging, and therefore the wise does not let himself be influenced by the talk of the town, a new kid in town, or anything else, that is just here today and gone tomorrow.

You might want to meditate over these words from Matthew 7:

1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

6"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Well, just some well-meant words from one Christian to another


- FreezBee

I take your criticism as apparently intended... with the idea of being non-judgemental. However, you might profit by reading the whole of chapter 23 of the same book of Matthew.

Also, it might be advantageous to realise that Jesus in the verses you quote was referring to brothers in one sense, and non-believers in another. There is quite a difference between what He referred to as "brothers" and those whom He referred to as "dogs" or "pigs"... both groups had to be human beings, and those were His words, not mine. I certainly do not believe that Jesus was suggesting that we refrain from sharing/preaching the gospel to any group.

Do you think the Lord loved those of whom He was critical any less than anyone else? I don't. Truth is truth...we just don't want to face it sometimes.

These words are well-meant as well, and from one Christian to another.

 

[WAB]

Do you think Jesus would approve of eternal threats being used as evangelical tools?

Far from intending "eternal threats" I was quoting a bumper sticker with the hope of getting the attention of the reader. Guess it did.

At least allow me to quote what Jesus said to the Pharisees in the Gospel According to John chapter 8 verse 24... "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He..." (actually the word He does not appear in the manuscript, Jesus was referring to Himself as the one who appeared to Moses on Sinai as the eternally existing One). So to finish Jesus' statement... "...you will die in your sins."

Obviously Jesus was, once again, presenting the truth of the final result of non-belief in His Deity.