Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Acts 17

They say history repeats itself. I don't know who "they" are, but I do think that they are right. In this chapter it says that the Athenians spent all of their time sitting around talking about things and exploring new ideas. It kind of comes across as a negative in the passage, but it also reflects the state of our society. We spend so much time now talking about ideas and things, wondering about the best way to accomplish something, striving to become smarter, stronger, and faster that it's almost becoming a negative. When you put intellectual learning above all else, basically you've made that your idol.

It's something that I have to contend with. I love to learn, and I really enjoy being knowledgeable about a host of different things. My curiosity extends into a variety of different fields and I search out answers in each one. By itself that's not a bad thing, but if I let it consume my life, or I let that become a source of sinful pride in my life then it's certainly not good. Paul came to explain to the Athenians that they could talk and listen and explore all they wanted but that they were never going to find God through intellect alone.

Our society today spends tons on writing books and producing shows that talk about spiritual well being. The people that live around us are starving for a Paul to come along and explain how to truly find out about the "unknown god." Can you be Paul to them? Are you willing to stand up in this society and tell people that not everyone's ideas and opinions are valid? Are you willing to risk rejection by stating that not all things can be explained by science, but that that doesn't make them any less real?

It's great to be smart. Right up to the point where it makes you stupid.

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