Intellectual Arrogance (Part 2 of 2) by Stan Cox (http://www.watchmanmag.com)
Modern Examples of Intellectual Arrogance (continued)
Modernists, however, do not have an exclusive claim on intellectual
arrogance in our time. Many Christians are guilty of the same.
Perhaps their guilt is a bit subtler than the modernists blatant
rejection of the conventions of scripture, but it is no less excusable.
Consider the following three examples:
First, brethren continue to practice the arrogance that characterized
the carnal Corinthians, recorded in 1 Corinthians 5. Paul had
knowledge of their acceptance into fellowship one who was unworthy.
The man's sin was sexual immorality, "such sexual immorality
as is not even named among the Gentiles; that a man has his father's
wife!" Rather than dealing with this man's sin, the Corinthians
had allowed him to continue in their fellowship, despite his ungodly
behavior. Paul defined such behavior as arrogance. "And you
are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done
this deed might be taken away from among you" (1 Corinthians
5:2).
Consider, what many today describe as actions of mercy, humility and love, Paul described as being "puffed up." More and more Christians, when faced with a teacher of error, or an immoral member of the church, react by saying, "Who am I to judge," or "As long as his actions do not harm me, I can accept him as my brother." It is fashionable to consider such an attitude as a show of humility. "Far be it from me to presume to judge another." In reality, it is intellectual arrogance. In so doing, brethren are indicated to God that His instructions on how to deal with sin are not sufficiently tolerant and merciful. When we refuse to deal with sin, we disobey God!
Second, brethren continue the unwise practice of comparing themselves to others, as did the Corinthians (see again 2 Corinthians 10:12-13), and as did the Pharisee in Luke 18:11, "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men; extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.'" The Pharisee's arrogance permeated the entirety of his address to God. His pride caused him to go away unjustified before the Almighty.
It is extremely important that brethren everywhere contend for the truth and refute error. When such is done, because of the first example above (a toleration of error), some will say, "Who set you up as brotherhood watchdogs, or arbiters of truth, or modern day prophets." We have heard such, and the whining we hear when the false teacher is exposed is indicative of the whiner's arrogance, as we have already noted. Is it possible, however, that on occasion there is a kernel of truth in their complaints? Is it possible that some take delight in the exposing of the false teacher, because they are guilty of "comparing themselves among themselves"? I would assert that it is possible, and have even seen indications of such arrogance among some who are quick to defend God's word.
The truth must be defended. But, it must be defended humbly and with uprightness. My being right on a particular doctrinal position does not guarantee I am acceptable to God. My being in a particular "group" or writing for a particular "paper" or having particular "friends" in no way proves me to be righteous. If I have a superior attitude because of who I associate with, or because "I have the truth", then I am guilty of arrogance.
When truth is defended, the enemies of truth will be quick to launch attacks against the defender. May it always be that those who preach the gospel do so with sincere motives, and with the integrity that the task demands. "Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you" (Titus 2:6-8).
Third, brethren are today guilty of desiring innovation, as
were the Athenians, recorded in Acts 17:21, "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."
As brethren have become more tolerant of hearing some "new
thing" there have been teachers coming out of the woodwork,
willing to tickle their ears. Internet discussion lists, for example,
are hotbeds of such innovation. Men are quick to "throw out"
something to the list, to see if it will gain acceptance. Arguments
are made rapidly, without sufficient study and reflection, as
brethren clamor to be known as "open-minded" or as "free-thinkers."
Young preachers, subtly influenced by the liberal thinking in
the colleges and the more sophisticated culture of the day, begin
to ridicule and dismiss the scholarship of pioneer preachers and
teachers of an earlier generation. Such men do not heed the warning
of Paul, "that we should no longer be children, tossed to
and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,"
(cf. Ephesians 4:14).
In the end, all that matters is the truth of God. Just because
a generation of Christians believed a particular doctrine does
not in itself make it compatible with the will of God. However,
when preceding generations, studious in their preparations and
respectful in their attitudes, have taught their convictions,
we must not dismiss them lightly. As I study God's word, I tremble
at the thought that I may come to a conclusion which differs from
such combined scholarship. In the end I must act upon my conviction,
but I must not be cavalier in my attitude toward those who have
gone before. I must not be quick to "preach" my conclusions.
I must carefully consider the arguments of those wiser than myself,
and be cautious in propounding anything "new." I must
not be arrogant to think that I have come across a truth that
generations before have not grasped.
Concluding Thoughts
Intellectual arrogance can touch us all. But, by its nature,
it is seldom recognized by the guilty. The Corinthians fancied
themselves tolerant, and yet Paul called them "puffed up."
Such pride is subtle, and can affect us all. "Therefore let
him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians
10:12). May we all emulate the mind of Christ..?
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also
for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was
also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider
it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of
men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself
and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the
cross" (Philippians 2:3-8).
Slow And Steady Wins In The End by Hal Hammons (halhammons@msn.com)
"The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience
of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit" (Ecclesiastes
7:8).
I have discovered a sure-fire way to kill grass. All you have
to do is leave a pile of pine straw on top of the grass for a
few months.
I might add here that I came by this knowledge by accident. The
winter weather had come on me a bit quicker than I had anticipated,
and I'll confess I wasn't exactly looking for excuses to get out
and do yard work. So I got my pine straw piled up, and I got
about two-thirds of it bagged up. But I left a couple of piles
on the ground. Oops.
Coming from Texas, I was accustomed to St. Augustine grass, which
grows in runners. It doesn't take long for it to spread into
empty areas. Now I live in Oklahoma, and the grass here isn't
like that. It grows in solitary shoots. It doesn't spread, or
at least it doesn't spread very fast. Those big brown circles
are likely to stay in my yard through the summer, until I actually
do something about it.
I guess I should preach at myself for laziness, but somehow I
don't feel up to it. I'll write about procrastination next week.
But maybe I'll write a few words here about steps forward and
steps backward. It's odd how we can go so much faster walking
forward, but usually it's the opposite in the walk of life. It
doesn't take long at all to destroy something we've worked patiently
for years to build - whether it's a lush green lawn or a solid
reputation in the community. "He who keeps the commandment
keeps his soul, but he who is careless of conduct will die"
(Prov 19:16).
It isn't enough to plan on presenting Jesus Christ in our lives
for our neighbors; we have to carefully cultivate and maintain
Jesus in our lives. It could take years before we see the kind
of impact on our society that we are hoping to have - in fact,
we may never see it in our generation. Then just a little inattention
and we have to start all over. Far better to do our job right
day today and gradually see progress than let the work slide,
and our reputation with it. "A wise man is cautious and
turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless"
(Prov 14:16).
FINAL THOUGHT - "When you invite trouble it is usually quick to accept." Mt. 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (NKJV)
Monthly Bible Reading: Numbers
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