The Limits of Knowledge

Luke 10:20 - In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.”

I am an educator. I firmly believe in the value of higher education and lifelong learning. I believe the Bible says, “Study to show yourself approved…” (II Tim 2:15) for good reason. I have benefited greatly from all of my teachers and a life of study, but some things are so obvious they can get blinded by our pursuit of understanding. Knowledge and research have their limits. It is interesting that our technological advances have enabled us to design communicating computers we can stick in our pockets, but we still have not eliminated conflict and abuse.

In Luke 10:20, Jesus makes an ironic statement: God reveals things to children that he hides from the learned. I have heard many testimonies of children having near death experiences who return to consciousness claiming to have seen Christ. Children are more open to faith. We adults may be tempted to dismiss this as childish ignorance, but Jesus says this is by God’s design.

How fair would God be if he required people to have a master’s degree before he allowed them to come to faith? A huge percentage of the world’s population could never receive eternal life. Instead the truth of the Gospel is simple, obvious, and available to anyone. The complex, beautiful, interoperative world we inhabit is evidence of a designer. Our continual failings and selfishness are irrefutable evidence that we need saving. The empty cross is evidence that the price has been paid for any willing to receive the One who died in our place. Simple. Powerful. True. No degree required.