Knowledge and the Danger of Arrogance

 1 Now concerning meat that has been sacrificed to a false god: we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes people arrogant, but love builds people up. 2 If anyone thinks they know something, they don’t yet know as much as they should know. 3 But if someone loves God, then they are known by God.  (1 Corinthians 8:1-3 -- Common English Bible.)
I'm not preaching on this text from 1 Corinthians 8 this Sunday (it is the lectionary selection from the Epistles), but I thought it interesting for a time like this.  Paul isn't discounting education, which is important.  The knowledge that he speaks of here is one that leads to arrogance -- knowledge that puffs up, leading one to believe that one is better than the other. 

I'm hesitant to bring up a text like this at a time when there is political gain to be gotten from attacking education and knowledge -- especially scientific knowledge.  There is political gain from misrepresenting history.  But despite the hazards, I think it is important to hear this word about arrogance, especially during a political season.  

 As you ponder this text, here this word from Kenyatta Gilbert concerning Paul's admonition:
The person who loves God discovers a truth:  knowledge corrupts if not chastened by humility. [In Ron Allen, et al., ed. Preaching God's Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary, Year B, p. 85]


 

Comments

David said…
Santorum: Left uses college for "indoctrination"

Next he'll want to make reading or owning bibles only for the elite.

He's "old school" Catholic.
That's an old idea.
David said…
The arrogance of ignorance.

This is precious.

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/39819_Oklahoma_Republican_Files_Bill_to_Ban_Food_Containing_Aborted_Fetuses
John said…
Genuine knowledge brings humility. It brings with it an awareness of our limits and inadequacies, as well as an awareness of the reality of our neighbor's lives and how we are linked to one another. Anything else is either information or ideology.

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