Comments on: Four Kinds of Wisdom http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/07/27/four-kinds-of-wisdom/ with Mart De Haan and Friends Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:27:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: forteag http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/07/27/four-kinds-of-wisdom/#comment-1956 forteag Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:55:10 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=311#comment-1956 I too believe that all mankind was created in the image of God and hence somewhat of the wisdom of God is reflected in the beliefs of all faiths. However, we need to draw the line when man's wisdom conflicts with what the word of God tells us and when the Holy Spirit pricks our hearts that what we are comtemplating is contrary to what God expects of us. The following verse should be an admonition to us as believers. Proverbs 3:7 (King James Version) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. The people of God often ran into problems when they tried to borrow concepts, which seem practical, from their neighbours. Their desire for a king was a case in point. Similarly, like their neighbours they wanted a God that they could see. Christians tend to be very liberal and hold fast to the notion that we are free moral agents and therefore should not be dogmatic forgetting that Christianity is a theocracy and not a democracy. Anyone who has lived with, studied with or had any sort of relationship with a Muslim cannot help but admire their adherence to their fasting and praying routine. How many of us Christians are so committed? Why are we Christians? Because of our parents' faith? Why is there no rock in rock cakes? It is simply because rock cakes are named for thier texture and not for their primary ingredients. We should be Christians because of our Christlike character which is developed by adhering to our Christian principles. I was fortunate to travel to Japan and Thailand and was struck by the extremes. Elaborate temples compared with poor living conditions and standards of living for the average person. While I admired the high esteem in which they place their Gods, I was puzzled by their lack of regard for the needs of the poor among them. I appreciate the discussion. Thank you Mart! I too believe that all mankind was created in the image of God and hence somewhat of the wisdom of God is reflected in the beliefs of all faiths.

However, we need to draw the line when man’s wisdom conflicts with what the word of God tells us and when the Holy Spirit pricks our hearts that what we are comtemplating is contrary to what God expects of us.

The following verse should be an admonition to us as believers.

Proverbs 3:7 (King James Version) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

The people of God often ran into problems when they tried to borrow concepts, which seem practical, from their neighbours. Their desire for a king was a case in point. Similarly, like their neighbours they wanted a God that they could see.

Christians tend to be very liberal and hold fast to the notion that we are free moral agents and therefore should not be dogmatic forgetting that Christianity is a theocracy and not a democracy. Anyone who has lived with, studied with or had any sort of relationship with a Muslim cannot help but admire their adherence to their fasting and praying routine. How many of us Christians are so committed?

Why are we Christians? Because of our parents’ faith? Why is there no rock in rock cakes? It is simply because rock cakes are named for thier texture and not for their primary ingredients. We should be Christians because of our Christlike character which is developed by adhering to our Christian principles.

I was fortunate to travel to Japan and Thailand and was struck by the extremes. Elaborate temples compared with poor living conditions and standards of living for the average person. While I admired the high esteem in which they place their Gods, I was puzzled by their lack of regard for the needs of the poor among them.

I appreciate the discussion. Thank you Mart!

]]> By: desert rose http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/07/27/four-kinds-of-wisdom/#comment-1924 desert rose Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:04:28 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=311#comment-1924 Your blog was very insightful and I am going to go back and reread it again as I thought it had a lot to say. Before I got dementia, I was able to look at nature and put spiritual truths to it. I trust that the medication they are treating me with will continue to help. I look forward to the day, I see more of my oldself. Your blog was very insightful and I am going to go back and reread it again as I thought it had a lot to say. Before I got dementia, I was able to look at nature and put spiritual truths to it. I trust that the medication they are treating me with will continue to help. I look forward to the day, I see more of my oldself.

]]> By: jgs http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/07/27/four-kinds-of-wisdom/#comment-1907 jgs Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:41:14 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=311#comment-1907 when i consider those who follow the ways of the world, especially those i love, i take great comfort in god's promise in the new covenant found in hebrews 8. i remind him of this promise often. when i consider those who follow the ways of the world, especially those i love, i take great comfort in god’s promise in the new covenant found in hebrews 8. i remind him of this promise often.

]]> By: djkeyboard http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/07/27/four-kinds-of-wisdom/#comment-1903 djkeyboard Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:09:40 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=311#comment-1903 Omniscience is all-knowing. God is all-knowing, and therefore knowing God becomes the source of all wisdom. I appreciate the expansion into all areas of our lives Mart has proposed. All too often we may be wise in one or two things, but neglect others. God's Word is sufficient to enlighten the darkest corners of our minds, and stretch us toward deeper understanding, and deeper commitment to grow. Thanks for the thoughts.... Omniscience is all-knowing. God is all-knowing, and therefore knowing God becomes the source of all wisdom. I appreciate the expansion into all areas of our lives Mart has proposed. All too often we may be wise in one or two things, but neglect others. God’s Word is sufficient to enlighten the darkest corners of our minds, and stretch us toward deeper understanding, and deeper commitment to grow. Thanks for the thoughts….

]]> By: hal.fshr http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/07/27/four-kinds-of-wisdom/#comment-1897 hal.fshr Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:58:27 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=311#comment-1897 Good insights into the common grace afforded to those outside the Christian faith. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:45), Paul's message on Mars Hill (Acts 17:24-31) and the Epistle to the Romans (Romans 2:14-15) reveal that God has provided external blessings and internal witness for humans to sense His divine reality. Traditions outside the influence of the Christian faith can draw upon the image of God in the human heart. It should therefore not surprise us to see postive insights and influences in them upon which we as Christians can agree. Good insights into the common grace afforded to those outside the Christian faith. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:45), Paul’s message on Mars Hill (Acts 17:24-31) and the Epistle to the Romans (Romans 2:14-15) reveal that God has provided external blessings and internal witness for humans to sense His divine reality. Traditions outside the influence of the Christian faith can draw upon the image of God in the human heart. It should therefore not surprise us to see postive insights and influences in them upon which we as Christians can agree.

]]> By: Mart De Haan http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/07/27/four-kinds-of-wisdom/#comment-1896 Mart De Haan Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:40:14 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=311#comment-1896 Just got an "anonymous" note from someone who said, "I hope you DONT publish this but unfortunately for me, there is a 5th source of wisdom - my wife’s “I told you so!” :-). Just got an “anonymous” note from someone who said, “I hope you DONT publish this but unfortunately for me, there is a 5th source of wisdom – my wife’s “I told you so!” :-).

]]> By: ALAN http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/07/27/four-kinds-of-wisdom/#comment-1890 ALAN Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:10:45 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=311#comment-1890 Excellent article.... makes you THINK..... Wisdom....something to pray for....(the thing our leaders need most) Organized Christian religion has MANY faults, however, WE ALL must stay connected to each other...the REAL Christian Church is the PEOPLE. Excellent article…. makes you THINK…..

Wisdom….something to pray for….(the thing our leaders need most)

Organized Christian religion has MANY faults, however, WE ALL must stay connected to each other…the REAL Christian Church is the PEOPLE.

]]> By: Margaret http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/07/27/four-kinds-of-wisdom/#comment-1888 Margaret Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:35:15 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=311#comment-1888 I think of how we probably all have ancestors who were heathen, however far back that may be. My heathen ancestors worshiped the various idols in Finland, England, Scotland and Wales. I have read a little bit about these ancient beliefs and they do contain some morals and values that we, as Christians, could appreciate and relate to. I’m glad for whatever good they might have had to cling to. Nevertheless, they were not saved, for Act 4:12 says, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." We do not understand how God will judge all the heathen since the beginning of history. But, we can rest in His justice, love and mercy as we consider Romans 2:14-16 , “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.” Knowing that my heathen ancestors were not saved brings me to a great appreciation of my first ancestors who accepted Christ as their personal Savior and had the courage to stand up for the truth, in spite of what the rest of their community might have said about them. Even today, there are new converts from different religions that are suffering greatly for trusting in Jesus as their Savior. Their faith is being tested severely and we need to be praying for them. Each of these converts loves their family and appreciates how their folks tried to instill a sense of God in them, but they know the value of giving their life over to the one and only true Lord and God. Sticking to the truth is better than going with the flow of the world. Maybe the few things that other religions have in common with Christianity will help to open their eyes and ears to God’s truths. I think of how we probably all have ancestors who were heathen, however far back that may be. My heathen ancestors worshiped the various idols in Finland, England, Scotland and Wales. I have read a little bit about these ancient beliefs and they do contain some morals and values that we, as Christians, could appreciate and relate to. I’m glad for whatever good they might have had to cling to.

Nevertheless, they were not saved, for Act 4:12 says, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

We do not understand how God will judge all the heathen since the beginning of history. But, we can rest in His justice, love and mercy as we consider Romans 2:14-16 , “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”

Knowing that my heathen ancestors were not saved brings me to a great appreciation of my first ancestors who accepted Christ as their personal Savior and had the courage to stand up for the truth, in spite of what the rest of their community might have said about them.

Even today, there are new converts from different religions that are suffering greatly for trusting in Jesus as their Savior. Their faith is being tested severely and we need to be praying for them. Each of these converts loves their family and appreciates how their folks tried to instill a sense of God in them, but they know the value of giving their life over to the one and only true Lord and God.

Sticking to the truth is better than going with the flow of the world. Maybe the few things that other religions have in common with Christianity will help to open their eyes and ears to God’s truths.

]]> By: paul bishop http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/07/27/four-kinds-of-wisdom/#comment-1886 paul bishop Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:11:17 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=311#comment-1886 My experiences have been tribulation as well as what else it would be. The result of tribulation is to our benefit as well; brings forth patience. God Bless! My experiences have been tribulation as well as what
else it would be. The result of tribulation is to our
benefit as well; brings forth patience. God Bless!

]]> By: JamesM http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/07/27/four-kinds-of-wisdom/#comment-1885 JamesM Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:27:18 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=311#comment-1885 I am one who has moved away from orthodox Christianity because of issues I've seen in the church. I do appreciate your commentaries, though, and I feel that you have a very positive, helpful contribution to make. Peace, Jim I am one who has moved away from orthodox Christianity because of issues I’ve seen in the church. I do appreciate your commentaries, though, and I feel that you have a very positive, helpful contribution to make.

Peace,
Jim

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