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 Critics
of Christianity ask, “Why do smart men differ on Bible
themes?” These critics rarely hang around long enough to hear
the answer, for their attitude is the core for much of it.
First, there are many hypocrites who wear the name “Christian,”
and who, like the critics, ask such questions in an effort to
escape responsibility. “Smart men can’t understand it —
there is no need in my trying.”
Second,
we have emphasized each man’s individual responsibility,
and some take that to mean each man is a law unto himself.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Under God, a man’s
right of choice is a responsibility to God. He is free to
draw his own conclusions, but that doesn’t guarantee his
conclusions to be true. Many use this “freedom” as an excuse
to ignore God’s word altogether.
Third,
“Christ is made unto us wisdom. . .“ “The world by (its)
wisdom knew not God.. .“ Things of God are given to the world
through inspired messengers, and the (natural) man who refuses
to receive the words of these messengers has no access to heavenly things. That is the import
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of 1Cor. 1:18 thru 2:16. When we are ready to receive the
scriptures as the word of God (1 Thes. 2:13), it is sufficiently
clear that we can understand it (Eph. 3:2-7). There is no
inadequacy in the man God made, nor in the gospel God gave, in
order to unity of faith. The problem is that men want not to
understand, but to judge God’s word.
In
unrevealed things men will differ; and that is why matters of
human judgment and opinion should not be woven into lines of
fellowship. There is value in this kind of difference, and in
the toleration that must go with it. A “smart” man knows
that. Most differences are in this category.
When
a critic speaks so glibly of “differences” ask him to name
some specific point on which “smart men differ.” Then
see if he has seriously (hours of study) tried to fathom it.
Does he put self (“feelings” or some mystical “guidance”)
before the word? Will he receive a thing as true because God
said it? Is he charitable regarding opinions? He may
discover that “smart” men “see it alike.”
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