Knowledge
Posted by: forthright <forthright@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross
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Some things we don't want to know about, though
Emmett's article isn't one of them.
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COLUMN: Understanding the Times
Knowledge
by Emmett Smith
A common argument against the existence of God is
that a truly "good" god would not allow evil.
Could not an omnipotent god restrict his creation
to only good, and not evil? Of course he could.
And He did!
When He had finished the creation, He said that it
was "very good". According to Genesis 2:16-17, God
told Adam and Eve that they could eat the fruit of
any tree in the garden, save one. The fruit of the
tree of "the knowledge of good and evil", was
forbidden. So when they were created, Adam and Eve
had no knowledge of good versus evil.
It's been said that ignorance is bliss. And where
Adam and Eve were concerned their ignorance of
good versus evil certainly fits that old cliché.
But all was not well. There was an evil one in the
garden, but he wasn't human. He used Eve's
curiosity against her, and subsequently against
all humanity since.
Ironically, it was the human thirst for knowledge
that caused death, and all the evils associated
therewith, to enter the world. There are many
things that we need to have knowledge of. Jesus
invoked blessedness on those who hunger and thirst
after righteousness.
But there are many things a Christian is better
off not knowing. Inevitably we will acquire
knowledge of evil. But we certainly shouldn't
hunger and thirst after it. The apostle Paul wrote
to the Ephesians (5:11,12) that certain evil
things done in secret are shameful even to speak
of. Surely we're better off without knowing the
details of those types of things. Don't you think
that's at least partly what Jesus was getting at
when He told us we must be converted and become
like little children? (Matthew 18:3).
Philippians 4:8 pretty well sums it up. And I
wonder how much better off the church would be if
we all were more conscientious about what we allow
into our thoughts. What do you think?
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8
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