Critics

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight.  – Isaiah 5:21

Have you noticed an increase in criticism towards people of faith lately? It is interesting how old arguments recycle across time. Followers of history will recognize the name Celsus, a Greek philosopher and early opponent of Christianity living around 177 AD. One of his notable literary works, True Doctrine, can be summed up in three words: Christians are simpletons. While Celsus claimed to be the voice of modern knowledge, he was unapologetic in calling Christ-followers unintelligent and mean… sound familiar?   

The apostle Paul also contended with critics of the early Christian faith who claimed it was foolish and not for an intellectual mind. However, recognizing God as objective, transcendent Truth, has proven over time to be a solid philosophical structure, sufficient to build a belief system upon and accepted by some of the greatest creative and scientific minds in history: Copernicus, Pascal, Newton – the list is endless.  

The conflict between God’s wisdom and man’s knowledge goes all the way back to the beginning of the human story. Adam and Eve turned the corner for humanity when they decided their path to knowledge was better than God’s! Paul explains what happens when people, even educated and intelligent people, reject God, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:21-22). 

Pray for wise leaders to have a voice in America, leading from a heart of faith, bringing the nation to a new and blessed day.