Monday, July 18, 2011

The death of wisdom.

     Although everyone has different backgrounds, with varying degrees of education, almost all of us have had the opportunity to listen to a lecture by someone whom is "over" educated. Unfortunately, I had the opportunity this week to hear a lecture (4 hours worth) given by a Ph.D. in an Old Testament History class. He has obviously educated himself to the point of stupidity. This lecture took place at a very conservative Bible college, and it was anything but conservative.

     I''ll try to avoid going into a full blown diatribe, but I am disappointed, so it may be a struggle. First off, when speaking on the creation of the universe, I stand with the literal interpretation, same as the fine folks at http://www.answersingenesis.org/. As for the integrity of the scriptures, I believe that all scripture in their original languages and entirety is the very word of God.



All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2Ti 3:16-17 ESV)

Now that we have established where I stand, we will address some of the lunacy that the fine "Dr." was expounding. Below are a few of his supposed "teachings." -Warning- if you are weak in the faith, please do not proceed.

  • The Genesis account of creation indicates in no way shape or form that God created the universe in 7 literal days. Creation likely took place over time, (he didn't come right out and say evolution, but he hinted around about it) and in no way does Genesis chapter one indicate the doctrine of creation ex nihilo
  • The Nephilim of Genesis Ch. 6:4 and Numbers 13:33 were not giants, but the Hebrew for the Nephilim indicates "the falling ones." This is due to the demise of the "Nephilim" to the Great Flood, and then allegedly when Israel invades the promised land. (When read in context, this makes no sense.)
  • The book of Deuteronomy may have been written as late as the 6th century B.C. (He uses B.C.E) in order to incite religious reform after the Babylonian Sojourn (He's too good to call it the "captivity"). Therefore making it a forgery.
  • Moses did not write the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible). The good "Dr." did not say who wrote it, but it was not Moses. "Who would have schlepped it around the desert?" (Obviously the part of Deuteronomy that was written after Moses death  was not written by him posthumously.)
  • In Genesis Chapter 1, the sun and moon was not referred to as the "sun and moon" but the greater and the lesser lights. This was to counter Mesopotamian Sun worship, you wouldn't want to get that started of course...
  • The creation account in Genesis was written as a response to other Mesopotamian creation accounts. Not an original document inspired by God so that his people would understand the "beginning." 
Throughout this "lecture," I found myself looking "fool" up in the Bible.

 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.  (Pro 28:26 ESV)
   In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. (Pro 13:16 ESV)
 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. (Pro 17:28 ESV)

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (Pro 26:12 ESV)
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. (1Co 3:18 ESV)


    The list goes on, but  I will stop here. You get the idea, it was by far the most mind boggling Bible college class I have taken.

 Please leave a comment with any insights that you may have, it would be greatly appreciated!

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