The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction
(Proverbs 1:17).
Throughout his chapter on “God and
Man”, Machen presents one of the vital foundations of Christianity which sets it
apart from many other religions. Machen states: “the knowledge of God is the very
basis of religion” (48). Machen elaborates on the fact that to develop and flourish
in any relationship, it is essential that that relationship grows through
knowledge of the other person. Modern Liberalism teaches that one can base one’s
relationship with God on one’s feelings towards God. Machen states that this
logic is contrary to all of life, and that “if religion consists merely in
feeling the presence of God, it is devoid of any moral quality whatever” (47). One
does not simply commit one’s life to a person without knowing anything about
that person. One does not have a best friend whom they know nothing about, and
one does not expect to stay in a close relationship with their adult child if
they do not continue to grow in knowledge of that person. It is the same with
Christ. One will not grow in a relationship with Christ if he or she does not
commit to study and understanding of Him through intention pursuit of knowledge.
We as people have fickle thoughts and
feelings. We are prone to deceit, misunderstanding, and superficiality. This is
why we cannot base our relationship with Christ on mere feelings. We need to
base our faith off of facts, off of the Bible and off knowledge of God. How can
we do this? The Bible was given as a direct revelation from God to us, His
people. The Bible is what we have been given to grow in knowledge and understanding
of God. Furthermore, the Bible instructs us concerning matters of knowledge
and understanding. 2 Timothy 2:15 says: “Study to shew thyself approved unto
God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth.” It is in this dedicated study of the Bible that we grow in knowledge. As
Proverbs 1:7 states: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but
fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Our quest for knowledge needs to begin
out of fear or God, and to merely rely on our human feelings is a disgrace to
our holy God.
In conclusion, God has some strong words
for those who reject knowledge. God used His prophet, Hosea, to warn the people
concerning their lack of knowledge. In Hosea 4:6, Hosea shares the words of
God: “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests;
because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”
Ultimately, as followers of Christ, our example is the person of Jesus. Jesus intimately
knew his Father, and this was demonstrated in his prayers, his knowledge of the
Bible, and his fear of God. In the same way, we as followers of Christ are called
to love God not only with our heart but with our minds and through our pursuit
of knowledge of our Holy and loving Father.
Comments
Post a Comment