"F. Scott Fitzgerald was right when he suggested, “The sign of first rate intelligence
(I would say, the sign of first-rate, spiritual maturity) is the capacity to hold two opposing
ideas in one’s mind and still be able to function”…(I would say, “still be at peace&rdquo😉."
http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/yourbestlifenow/2013/05/what-is-the-sign-of-spiritual-maturity.html#ixzz2rNRe4LYF
"The fool is one of the leading themes in the Book of Proverbs."
Proverbs 12:23, “A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.” Conceals” means, “to cover or conceal... not to reveal / gossip about other people’s sins, secrets or even your own anger. The word “knowledge”, is contrasted with folly. So the prudent man conceals what he knows about sin and folly in general and that of other people. He does not gossip, malign, slander or lie, and does not reveal the temptations of sin in his own soul. He keeps them all to himself. The prudent man conceals this evil knowledge because he is not driven neurotically by pride to parade his knowledge around in front of others, nor does he allow his rage and angry to escape and wreak harm. He has the self-control to wait for the right situation and the prudence to know when to speak up,
Prov 11:13, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.” As such, he maintains inscrutability where he has control over his situation. Eccl 3:7, “A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; a time to be silent and a time to speak.” Amos 5:12-13, “12 For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great, you who distress the righteous and accept bribes and turn aside the poor in the gate. 13. Therefore at such a time the prudent person keeps silent, for it is an evil time.” In addition, the prudent man knows when to speak doctrine and when to hold it back. Mat 7:6, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
“He keeps it to himself without bringing it forth until an occasion presents itself for setting it forth at the right place, at the right time, and to the right man. The right motive also regulates such silence as well as modesty.” (Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament) “Folly in the wisdom literature is primarily imprudency, but at times definitely includes the concept of moral degeneracy. It is characterized as something that is evident to all. Whereas the prudent person is characterized by silent reflection, the fool blurts out his folly to everyone.” (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) So once again, we see what comes from the heart of the fool; folly, evil, moral and immoral degeneracy, etc. They are what they think, as Prov 23:7 tells us, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you.” “Because the wise understand the value of words, they use them carefully. Because they know that wisdom comes by listening and learning, they speak sparingly and well (10:19; 17:27). Fools, ignorant of words’ value, are so busy demonstrating their “wisdom” that they speak without thought (18:2).” (Fredric Clarke Putnam, Complete Biblical Library Commentary – Proverbs.)
Principles: The fool is one of the leading themes in the Book of Proverbs. In Scripture the fool is willfully and obstinately walking down the wrong path. It portrays the fool as a self-confident (arrogant), self-deceived person. Godlessness in Israelite society was equated with foolishness, and wisdom was equated with righteousness and godliness. 1. He does not seek wisdom (Bible Doctrine) seriously, but rejects its advice, Prov 23:9. 2. He assumes that he can get wisdom as easily as purchasing something, but there is an inner deficiency that keeps him from actually gaining wisdom; he lacks the heart or inner being to receive it, Prov 17:16. 3. He thinks that he can find the secrets of success in faraway places, ignoring the true wisdom that is right before him, Prov 17:24. 4. He does not want to listen and learn, Prov 26:9, but merely talks to display his own ideas, Prov 18:2. 5. In reality, the fool has none of the knowledge of which he boasts, Psa 92:6. 6. His problem is his heart, the Hebrew term for the whole inward being of humans, which we also call the right lobe of your soul. He has inner rebellion against God that produces outward foolishness, Prov 12:23. It flows out in his words, Prov 15:2. Even a proverb is meaningless when he says it, Prov 26:7. 7. His downfall is complacency, Prov 1:32." (Notes/Rickard)
Originally posted by Great King Rat“Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning,
Why should that be true, GB?
we should never have found out that it has no meaning...” -C.S. Lewis
Originally posted by Great King Rat
Why should that be true, GB?
"True" because if the whole universe has no "meaning" human beings would lack the concept of meaning and the word "meaning" would never have been coined. Instead the whole universe would be filled with emptiness devoid of meaning. "Too simple" because to deny meaning in the whole universe would also deny the presence of meaning in our lives.
Originally posted by Great King RatOriginally posted by Grampy Bobby
Nope.
Do you really think that the fact that we can assign meaning to our lives (making your children happy, collecting rare stamps, whatever you want) means the universe as a whole must have meaning??
Do you believe the universe has meaning?
Originally posted by Great King Rat
Nope.
Do you really think that the fact that we can assign meaning to our lives (making your children happy, collecting rare stamps, whatever you want) means the universe as a whole must have meaning??
On what do you base your dismissive answer "nope"?
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