Many times I have been challenged when talking with non-believing highly intelligent people that ask “how can you believe that stuff”. Because many I know live in a world of what must be provable and tangible, a world of what is in front of them.
In the area of evolution I have challenged them in the fact that true science must be observed and be replicated but this is often discounted citing dogma or “reasonable linkages” in the fossil record. When citing that actually many beliefs come down to faith, they take the position that this is not acceptable to them though they use it themselves as just stated.
This passage was referenced in a sermon I heard this past Sunday, Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:25:
“I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes Father, for this was your good pleasure.”
It is directed to people who have seen the miracles of Jesus and yet do not repent. The “wise and learned”. Those who are educated, intellectuals. Haughty minds whose world is centered on their own definitions and not anything outside of their powers or abilities, or the capabilities of mankind.
It actually says that the Father has purposefully “hidden these things from the wise and learned’.
The pride of man is shown in the tower of Babel, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves. And Isaiah 5:21: “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight “, and in Judges 17:21 “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”
Yes, there is an aspect that we must all come down from our personal thrones and bow down to the King of Kings. We are not gods, and we must acknowledge this fact, a fact that mankind has struggled with since the original sin where Satan tempted Eve in Genesis 3:5: “you will be like God”.
We admittedly are pretty smart in many ways but we must acknowledge that God is greater than ourselves. And yes, we must actually come to him as children, and He is our Father.
Barnabas Man 