The Only Place to Start


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge… Proverbs 1:7A ESV
              There is an order of operation in our quest for knowledge and understanding. That order begins with a faith in God, a strong faith which inspires us to reverential fear. This sort of faith is able to seek reason. There are two reasons this is so; first, the proper foundation of reasoning is laid. Anyone who has studied logic will know that even a sound argument made from false premises cannot succeed in arrive at truth. Second, the attitude for the search is established which keeps the human mind on the right path. Reverential fear demands that we proceed with caution, and that we yield to God’s revelation. More than this it should, and when genuine I hold that it does, move us to ask God’s guidance. These two guards set in place over our thoughts the right perspective to learn, grow, and understand.
              This is a perspective of humility for man, and exaltation for God. It is therefore, as we shall see more clearly, an unpopular starting place. However, for we who claim to believe it is the only possible starting place. This means for us that God must have the final say in all things as to whether they are good. He has given us in His scriptures a sure and objective guide to goodness.  This we must use, and we must use in conjunction with prayer, and with heed to those helps which God has provided in the work of faithful scholars, theologians, pastors, and preacher throughout the ages. We must insist on the Bible as final authority, and on prayer as the most necessary accompaniment to learning scripture, and on the value of gifts given us by grace in good teachers through the ages. To deny any of these is to undermine our very foundation. It is sufficient to make us wise onto salvation, and to prepare for every good work; moreover, it is the only sufficient foundation for the acquisition of true knowledge and wisdom. Let us make our minds entirely the slave of scripture, along with our whole hearts, and our conscience so that we might be well served in staying the course. And keep in mind that course will inevitability run counter to the common sense of the world around us.
Prayer
Father you have desired us to remain in ignorance and folly, fumbling blindly in deepest darkness to our harm; but have shown on us the true light of wisdom and knowledge which begins and has its foundation in the knowledge of You. Ah, Lord how have we forsaken this foundation, and preferred the shifting sands of humanities own poor substitutes? How have served our own pride to our own detriment? Lord open our eyes to see the evil of such suggestions, and what evil they have wrought when followed. Have mercy on us and vindicate true wisdom over folly. Lord set our own hearts on the right place, let us know You well enough to be rightly fearful, humbled by Your greatness. Help us who see in darkened mirrors to see more clearly. Thank you Lord that by grace we shall one day know even as we are known. To You be the glory. Amen.
Song
How firm a foundation

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